ER WAIT
iCompassion and skill are at the heart of the Clark Regional Surgical Services Department. Skilled general surgeons care for patients with underlying surgical conditions in the Emergency Department, on the medical surgery floor and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Working with a full, dedicated team, coordinate care and management of each patient every step of the way through screening, surveillance, surgical intervention, rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Clark Regional Medical Center is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the gold standard in healthcare. That means we meet industry-leading standards in patient care and safety and take strides to continuously assess and improve the quality of our care, treatment and services.
“We put patients first with a broad range of state-of-the-art procedures. The people we care for are our neighbors and friends. Here, care is personal.” — Rebecca D. Bartee, DO, general surgeon at Clark Regional Medical Center
“Clark Regional Medical Center’s surgical services team is here whenever you need surgery for a condition, so you don’t have to travel far from home to get care.” — Kay Walter, RN, BSN, CNOR, CPPS, Director of Clark Regional Medical Center’s Surgical Services
General surgery as a specialty encompasses a wide variety of procedures, many of which occur in the abdomen. Reasons your doctor might refer you to the Clark Regional Surgical Services Department include:
Our compassionate team meets all of these needs and more in a state-of-the-art facility. We use the latest technology. That’s why we take the most minimally invasive approach possible in any procedure, helping you heal and recover faster.
We also offer a variety of other general and specialized procedures, including cataract and orthopedic surgeries.
Having even a minor procedure can cause stress, especially if you don’t often go to the hospital. If you are planning to have surgery at Clark Regional Medical Center, it’s easy to prepare. Keep these steps in mind to make the process go smoothly.
Get your Preadmission Testing (PAT) checkup – Before the surgery, you’ll need to be evaluated by a Clark Regional healthcare provider to make sure everything is ready. This evaluation can be conducted either in person or by phone, depending on your health and personal risk factors. You also may need to have certain tests and exams prior to surgery, and some surgical procedures may require special preparation, such as blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, or electrocardiograms. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the provider conducting the checkup.
Bring a list of medications – This helps our team keep you safe while under anesthesia and make sure nothing reacts negatively with your medication during the procedure.
Skip the cigarettes – If you smoke, now is a perfect time to quit. Anesthesia affects the normal function of the lungs, and quitting smoking will help decrease the risk of developing pneumonia and improve healing and recovery. If you can’t kick the habit before surgery, try not to smoke the day of the procedure, at least.
Cut the frills – You don’t have to look your best in the operating room. Come in without jewelry, piercings, makeup and hair care products.
Get a ride – If you’re going in for an outpatient surgery, make sure you have someone who can take you home, as anesthesia may not fully wear off for several hours after surgery.