Recognizing that all surgery is stressful, Greenwich Hospital’s staff provides specialized individual attention to all surgical patients.
Patient support includes organizing preoperative tests and admission procedures, making discharge arrangements, and helping patients understand insurance benefits.
Greenwich Hospital’s preadmission program works with patients and families to ensure that admission, discharge and after care go smoothly.
A preadmission nurse conducts preoperative interviews by telephone with all patients scheduled for surgery. The nurse explains:
The nurse makes sure that all the necessary preoperative tests have been done and conducts a complete review of the patient’s medical history. Any needs the patient has, such as translation services or transportation, are discussed.
Greenwich Hospital provides highly personalized and attentive care in its 48-bed surgical inpatient unit. Patient rooms are comfortably furnished to accommodate overnight visitors if a family member wishes to remain with a patient. Each room has wireless Internet, telephone and TV service. Newspapers and magazines are available for delivery as well.
With appropriate pain control, patients who undergo oral or maxillofacial surgery not only recover faster but also have reduced risk of developing certain complications such as blood clots and pneumonia. If pain is well controlled, patients are better able to engage in important healing activities such as walking and deep breathing exercises. The Greenwich Hospital healthcare team works closely with patients to prevent and relieve pain and discomfort.
Pain control options may include:
Surgical patients can expect to be continually assessed to ensure they are comfortable. Patients are asked to participate in their pain management by telling staff when they are uncomfortable and reporting and rating their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. Together, patients and staff set goals for acceptable pain levels. When necessary, adjustments or changes to the pain management regimen are made.
Patients who experience chronic pain after discharge from the hospital are referred to the Greenwich Hospital Center for Pain Management for further treatment.
This holistic, energy-based therapy complements patient care. Trained Healing Touch volunteers use soothing techniques to help patients relax and facilitate healing. This service can be arranged through staff on the inpatient surgical floor.
Hospital chaplains provide a spiritual presence in keeping with the beliefs or religious practices of patients and their families. Chaplains are available for counsel, prayer and support for those in need. The Spiritual Care Department will also assist in contacting clergy from the community.
Learn more about Spiritual Care
Discharge planning begins before the procedure, with the preadmission interview.
Patients who are scheduled for ambulatory surgery, often called “same-day surgery,” receive discharge instructions during the preadmission phone interview. They will receive them again after they are admitted to the hospital.
Patients who stay longer will review discharge information with the care team during their hospital stay. An individualized plan will be developed, often in collaboration with physicians, nurses, case workers and others, to address a variety of patient needs. These include transportation, support services, home care, medication management and rehabilitation referrals or placements.
A case manager works directly with patients to review their insurance benefits. The case manager will also recommend post-discharge treatment options based on the patient’s insurance coverage.
Part of the discharge planning process includes helping patients fully understand the billing process in order to plan for payment. Hospital staff work closely with patients to clarify insurance benefits eligibility.
Please note: Patients may receive separate bills from providers other than the hospital. These may include physicians, such as the radiologist and anesthesiologist, and the laboratory.
Learn more about billing and how to pay your bill online
