There has been an interesting transition over the years from
a surgery done originally in an inpatient setting, where the patient would stay
in the hospital for several days, to an outpatient surgery setting. We have essentially accomplished this with
procedures up to the hysterectomy, which once was a 4-day hospital stay and
included 8 weeks of recovery. Oftentimes, it can now be a same-day surgery,
going home the same day. That, of course, is for the big surgeries. Twenty years ago we were doing operating room
procedures for urinary incontinence and bleeding and it again started off as
inpatient surgery, migrated to outpatient surgery and recently has become
essentially an office procedure.
Many advantages of in-office procedures have become
apparent, and this drive will continue in the future as it offers many
excellent outcomes, opportunities and advantages for the patient as well as for
the health care system from a delivery standpoint. First, this transition is based upon the
idea that these procedures are becoming less invasive. When these procedures are done here in the
office setting, as opposed to the hospital setting, they also offer more of a
personal savings while delivering an equal or better outcome. These issues in combination with an office
setting save the health care system, insurance companies and oftentimes the
patient a very significant amount of money. This is because the procedures become
less intricate with fewer people involved, faster stays, fewer drugs and less
equipment is required.
Here at Women’s Care of Wisconsin we have transformed many
surgeries over the past years.
Traditionally, these procedures were urinary incontinence and LEEP
procedure of the cervix, which have been done in the office setting
successfully for more than twenty years.
We have now added several other office procedures that nationally and
state-wide continue to be done in hospital settings. Women’s Care does office
Botox for incontinence of the bladder and frequency and urgency symptoms. This procedure is very effective when other
medication has not been successful.
There’s no incision, it typically takes about 20 minutes, it’s often
covered by insurance, very durable and we have again had very excellent
outcomes with this in the office-based setting.
Likewise, hysteroscopy and ablation, which is the destroying
of the lining of the uterus, has also migrated to the office setting and is
often covered by insurance. This procedure is done to effectively eliminate or
at least successfully diminish the amount of pain and bleeding encountered by a
woman during her cycle. With this procedure, there are no incisions, it only
takes a few minutes of time and offers the ability for the patient to return to
work typically the next day. This
procedure is particularly helpful in an office setting as we are able to
perform this procedure at a much lower cost to the insurance company and that
is often reflected in what the patient has to pay. We are effectively
delivering this procedure in a fashion that is if anything better, more
pleasing to the patient, a fraction of the cost, and has an identical outcome.
While all of these office procedures have offered
significant cost savings to patients and their insurance companies, the goal
has been to offer better service with the same outcomes in a more personal
setting. I think we have achieved this
and we have been able to bring the cost down while delivering this perfect
triad of advanced care. By creating an
environment where we can have less paperwork, fewer handoffs between strangers
and essentially taking this into an office setting where the patient can
oftentimes be functioning the next day. At Women’s Care we are continuously
improving ourselves as we drive towards a better delivery system in general. In
particular, Women’s Care strives to deliver to our patients and our communities
excellent care of which we can all be proud.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and see
what services we can provide for you. I’m sure that you will be most pleased
with the outcomes that we can deliver.
Dr. Eric Eberts is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at the
Appleton and Neenah locations of Women's Care of Wisconsin. Contact Dr. Eberts
at 920-729-7105.
Providers at Women’s Care
of Wisconsin are devoted to you and your health. That means having the most
advanced techniques, up-to-date educational information and a compassionate,
caring staff. Our providers offer a well-rounded approach to your OB/GYN care,
one that meets both your physical and emotional needs throughout every phase of
your life. We call it our Circle of Care. From adolescence through menopause
and beyond, you can depend on us. Meet our providers and learn more about
gynecology, pregnancy care, infertility, procedures and surgery, incontinence,
osteoporosis, menopause and more at www.womenscareofwi.com.