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Monthly Archives: November 2020

Telehealth

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Telemedicine delivers the highest quality medical care right to the comfort of your home. Scheduling a Telehealth appointment allows you to connect with our Wellness Surgeons at the touch of a button on your phone ipad or computer. Many surgical consultations can be safely and effectively completed online, and we encourage our patients to see how telemedicine can benefit them.  Telehealth is a fast and efficient way to get a second opinion and we welcome any opportunity we have to help you feel solid about your treatment decisions. 

After launching our telemedicine capabilities due to COVID, we’ve noticed a very positive response. We plan to keep using and  improving this vital service.  Patients are thrilled they can receive the highest quality care without long commutes, days off work, and waiting rooms. Additionally, we’re grateful that we’ve become more accessible to serve communities far from our practice.

Feel free to reach out by email info@oregonsurgicalwellness.com to make an appointment.

It Takes More Than a Surgical Specialist to Have a Special Outcome in the Operating Room.

Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen faced with a surgical problem, most people are not exactly sure how to find the right surgeon. We rely on our primary caregivers, family, or friends’ recommendations to help point us in the right direction. Unfortunately, friends, family, and primary caregivers never see the inside of an operating theater. They have no way of knowing what goes on in there. What is the demeanor? What is the relationship between the surgeon and the team? Is it a friendly team environment or one that is plagued by stress and “command & control” style behaviors? 

The “operating theatre” was a non-sterile theater where students and other spectators could watch surgeons perform surgery, but they are no longer in use. Thankfully, contemporary operating rooms are devoid of a theatre setting and are aseptic, giving patients and surgeons the best possible environment for a successful surgery.

We assemble our team in the operating room carefully as every person has an essential and equally important role. Our surgical team methodically plans your surgery; in fact, at least 25-30 people have “touched” your surgical plan before you even come to the facility. Then, once you’re in the operating room, we take a team approach to give you the best outcome possible. We take our team seriously, invest in their wellbeing, and appreciate the work they do for you every day because we could not perform to our highest standards if we were without them.

“The strength of our team allows us to combine our individual talents for the patient’s best outcome,” says Mitch Wagner, CTS, a surgical technician at Day Surgery at RiverBend. Born and raised on a cattle farm in central Oregon, he understands that your team’s success relies on the feeling that your coworkers are like your family. When you know and care about each other, it is easier to create synergy, which makes an operation like a dance. There is a blend of well-rehearsed and improvised moves. The result is fun to watch, and the patient’s excellent outcome is profoundly fulfilling.

Heather Bowles, RN, BSN, CNOR, and OR charge nurse at Day Surgery, says, “Our team, and what we do together in the operating room is magical. Our patients are in their most vulnerable place throughout their journey as they enter our world. They aren’t able to fight or advocate for themselves, but we are, and we do, with excellence. We unite as their voice and fight for them. For me, it’s the most rewarding part of being in the operating room.”

We, at OSW, could not be more proud of our surgical teams. They are diligent, reliable, talented, and kind. They are accountable to each other, but most importantly, our patients can count on them. They help us do our best. So when you are contemplating your surgical needs, rest assured, if you choose an Oregon Surgical Wellness Specialist, you will not just be in the hands of your well-trained surgeon; the ever essential hands that you don’t see are there for you too. 

(1.) Investigating Teamwork in the Operating Room, Engaging Stakeholders and Setting the Agenda Surg. 2017;152(1):109-111

OSW is committed to caring.

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Trust is at the heart of one of our core values: Integrity. And we firmly believe that you cannot build trust without transparency. 

To improve our community’s health, we must serve all people from all backgrounds.  As care givers, we want this commitment to be apparent to every patient with every touch and interaction. We believe that the health and wellness of all of our patients matter, and as a medical group, it is essential that we display this belief in our actions and deeds. Along those lines, OSW is committed to the following:

As we continue to grow, we promise to create the most talented and compassionate Wellness Team possible seeking well trained, energetic and compassionate members to join our team. 

We commit to being mindful of our patients’ cultural origins and identities so that every patient, no matter their background, feels heard and understood.

We promise to create dialogue around healthcare’s social determinants to encourage measurable progress that significantly impact our community’s health as a whole.

We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or political affiliation in any of our activities or operations. 

If you feel that we are not living up to our promises, please have a conversation with us; we’re committed to our growth. We appreciate your patience as we learn and grow as a new practice. 

Sincerely,

Your Wellness Team

Hidden Scar Surgery

Learn About Hidden Scar Mastectomy

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There are many factors to consider when choosing your best option for breast cancer surgery. We believe you deserve to recover quickly, completely, and beautifully. For this reason our Wellness Surgeons have gone the extra mile and rigorously trained to be Hidden Scar Certified Breast Surgeons. We believe in treating the whole patient not just the disease. You have a voice and a choice in your treatment options. Oregon Surgical Wellness is the the ONLY designated Certified Hidden Scar Center of Excellence between Seattle and Sacramento. Watch this video and learn more!

COVID FAQ

COVID FAQ’s

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Research shows that patients are anxious about returning to hospitals, despite many needing essential or even life-saving procedures. According to new research findings, more than a third of patients would not feel comfortable returning to care until at least three months have passed after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in their area, and one in five would not feel comfortable until over six months have passed.

While these are a challenging and anxious times, our hospitals continue to support essential operations and your wellness surgeons and all those providing care for you, are ready to resume serve you.  Patient safety is—and will always be—the top priority.

It is understandable that you—as a patient—may still have questions and specific concerns about the safety of undergoing an operation as COVID-19 continues to impact our community. To help you navigate through this time, we have developed a list of frequently asked questions covering common concerns, such as how the check-in process has changed, what to expect during appointments, safeguards to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and how the ongoing pandemic may change after-operation care.

Please know that we want to hear what is on your mind and answer your questions. Do not delay necessary care that is critical to your long-term health, and do not hesitate to reach out to schedule a discussion with your surgeon.

After my operations, can home health care services be arranged instead of a trip to the office or admission to a care facility?

Yes. Many post-surgical patients qualify for home health care. Please ask your surgeon if home health care is an option for you.

Are telehealth visits or phone calls with a member of my care team an option for me before and after my operation?

Yes. Oregon Surgical Wellness provides both Telehealth and Virtual check-ins (phone call) options for select initial consultations and post-surgical care. Please inquire with our office or speak to your provider if you prefer one of these options.

Can I have visitors while I recover? If so, how will they be protected while visiting me?

Yes. However, Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend, and other Peace Health affiliated hospitals, are constantly changing this policy based on available data. Please refer to the following website for additional details: 

http://www.peacehealth.org/coronavirus/Springfield

As I recover, will having this procedure put me at a higher risk of getting COVID-19? Why or why not?

The recovery from most operations will not subject you to a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 if standard precautions are followed.  We encourage you to discuss this topic with your surgeon if you are concerned.

Is everyone who works at the facility having their temperatures taken and being tested for COVID-19? If so, how often?

Yes. Every employee and provider is required to pass both temperature and symptom screening testing at least daily.

How has the facility determined that it is now safe to begin scheduling operations?

Oregon Surgical Wellness and Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend have followed guidance by the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor’s office and have met criteria to resume elective operations. We and the hospital have maintained an adequate supply of personal protective equipment and the hospital has the prescribed capacity of beds to accommodate a resurgence in COVID cases, if necessary.

What special precautions are being taken to ensure the operating room is safe from COVID-19?

The operating rooms are deeply cleaned and sanitized before and between each operation. Further, the operating room teams follow strict protective measures including masking, gloving, and frequent hand sanitizing, and all staff are temperature screened before each shift.

Are patients who have COVID-19 in the same facility as me? If so, what safety measures are in place to ensure we are separated?

Yes, potentially.  However, Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend has dedicated rooms that are segregated from other hospital floors designated specifically for the treatment of individuals infected with COVID-19.

Are the staff members I encounter also treating patients who have COVID-19?

No. The staff members who treat any individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 infection work on dedicated wards and do not interact with patients in the surgical area or in areas where post-surgical patients recover.

Will I be tested for COVID-19 and have my temperature taken before my operation?

Yes. All patients who are scheduled for an operation will be tested at a community testing facility or at the hospital on the day of operation.  All patients will have temperature and vital signs checked upon arrival for their operation.

Will there be physical barriers, such as glass or plexiglass, between staff whom I am speaking with? If not, will they be six feet away from me?

We have plexiglass barriers between our front office and scheduling staff for your protection.

Will I ride in an elevator? Is there an elevator policy? How frequently are the elevators cleaned?

Our office building has both elevators and a stair well. We request that no more than four individuals occupy the elevator at one time. The elevator and surfaces within the elevator that are routinely touched are sanitized throughout the day.

Do I need to wear a mask? Will all other patients and staff at the surgeon’s office wear masks?


Yes. We request that all our patients wear a mask or other face covering. Our staff and providers wear masks during all patient interactions.

Will I be with others in a waiting room, or will I be kept in a room away from other patients? We have our patients wait in our waiting room, though our waiting area is spacious, and seating is arranged to facilitate distancing.

What can I expect when I arrive for my appointment in terms of COVID-19 protective measures?We require that all staff, patients, and visitors practice social distancing, wear face coverings, and follow recommended hygiene. Additionally, our facilities, and especially frequently touch surfaces, are sanitized regularly.

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