The Operating Room
One of the first things you’ll notice as you enter the OR is that there is a full team of people to take care of you.
These may include nurses and support staff, a perfusionist, an autotransfusionist, the anesthetist, one or more certified physician assistants (PA’s) and of course the surgeon, who is the head of the team and the one who will lead the entire procedure. There will also be a lot of equipment that is vital to the success of any operation.
It may seem that there is a lot of activity and you may feel overwhelmed but there are some important things you should know at this point:
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The surgeon and his team have already discussed your specific case in detail that morning. The discussion will have involved other surgeons, not just the one who will operate on you. They will have addressed any potential issues and opportunities to get the best possible surgical outcome.
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They have a specific plan for your care and treatment. The surgeon will have spent some time immediately before coming into the OR reviewing your case notes and preparing for your surgery.
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Every member of the team knows your name (the Asheville Heart surgeons insist on this as a matter of protocol; their patients are NEVER referred to by patient numbers).
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You may be one of several patients in the OR suite at the time (remember, there are six OR’s in the Owen Heart Center), but your surgical team is fully dedicated to your case during the entire time you are in their care.
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Your family and friends in the waiting room are considered a vital part of your recovery support system. They will be kept informed of your progress and any important milestones in your surgical procedure. After his work is done, the surgeon will personally provide a progress update to them and answer any general questions they may have that do not compromise your right to medical privacy.
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Your surgical procedure is the key to a successful outcome, but your care from the Asheville Heart team will continue long after the surgery is completed.
At the appropriate time, the anesthetist will place a mask over your nose and mouth, and as you gently fall asleep, all the knowledge, skills and experience of a world-class surgical team will now be focused on you!