Are You Out, Or Are You In?

Every year, doctors perform millions of surgeries for emergency, elective, or cosmetic reasons. Surgery is often essential for repairing, diagnosing, or treating the root cause of an injury or condition. Some are needed immediately in the case of a sports injury. Others are due to conditions that form over time, like arthritis or ligament damage. For elective, diagnostic, or cosmetic reasons, most patients can have outpatient surgery and inpatient stay. While there are benefits to both procedures, the advantages of same-day care provided by outpatient surgery cannot be ignored.

Understanding outpatient surgery

With outpatient surgery, a patient can enter the hospital and leave the same day. The procedure allows the patient to recover at home instead of spending additional time in the hospital. Outpatient surgery is possible due to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) performed by the surgeon. The surgery often requires 1-3 incisions the size of a buttonhole. In some cases, like endoscopy or colonoscopy, no incisions are necessary. A device called an endoscope is the main character in this operation. The scope is a long, thin device with a high-powered camera and light. In other procedures, the surgeon passes a laparoscope into the incision to see the surgical site. From there, small surgical tools can be assessed and repaired accordingly. After the procedure and a short monitoring period, the patient can leave the hospital or surgical center.

You must stay a while longer

With inpatient stays, the patient must reside in the hospital for at least 24 hours. Inpatient surgery is associated with open surgery, the conventional surgical procedure used by surgeons. An open surgery uses a single large incision, often several inches long, to access the surgical site. The surgeon must move tissue or muscle to get full access to bone, ligaments, or organs. After the procedure, the patient will stay overnight for further monitoring. The medical team provides round-the-clock supervision to look for complications, bleeding, and infections, which are possible with this technique.

Benefits of same-day care

Same-day outpatient surgery has some significant advantages over inpatient care. Leaving on the same day means the patient can recover comfortably at home. There is little disruption to work or the need to plan for childcare. Outpatient surgery also means more minor scars, minimal bleeding, and a low risk of infections. Same-day care is often cheaper than inpatient surgery. Patients don’t have to be liable for room charges, medical supplies, and professional fees. With outpatient surgery, there is more mobility and improved independence. Inpatient surgery can take a toll on a patient’s emotional well-being. With outpatient surgery, there is less stress and anxiety for the patient and loved ones.

What determines outpatient surgery vs inpatient care?

While outpatient surgery has several advantages, the procedure is not for all cases. There are reasons for inpatient and outpatient surgery. Inpatient surgery is ideal for major surgery that involves extensive tissue manipulation and significant anesthesia. Some chronic diseases, like diabetes or kidney disease, require prolonged care. Other factors, like the degree of damage, obesity, and complicated injuries, need open surgery and prolonged care. Outpatient surgery is ideal for patients in generally good health who need a straightforward procedure to address the underlying condition.

Get out and get healthy at home

Surgery is vital for diagnosing and treating various issues at different severities. There are inpatient and outpatient options. Both have pros and cons. With outpatient surgery, patients can get treatment and leave on the same day. The convenience, less pain, and reduced risk of infections of outpatient surgery are significant advantages. Patients also get outpatient surgery in a comfortable setting. Based on the injury or condition, same-day care can significantly improve the quality of life.