The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery implements culture of safety offering hospital precautions in fully-accredited surgical facility in a more relaxed, aesthetic, & calming environment
Dr. Paul M. Parker and his staff take the necessary precautions to avoid emergency situations while still being prepared to handle one if it occurs.
Paramus, NJ (Vocus) September 16, 2009
There are some who say that having a cosmetic procedure in a surgery center is not as safe as in a hospital. Parker Center surgeon, Dr. Paul M. Parker, offers tips of what to look for to ensure that your surgery center experience is as safe, if not safer, as any hospital.
New Jersey plastic surgeon (http://www. parkercenter. net/) Dr. Paul M. Parker is proud of the safety record at the Surgiplex, his fully certified ambulatory surgery center in Paramus, NJ, where he serves as Medical Director. “We have a squeaky clean record - no fatalities and no emergency transfers to our partner hospital.” He adds that “there is rarely any post-operative nausea or vomiting in our because of the special medications given by his team of board-certified anesthesiologists.”
The key to success at the Parker Center is prevention. Long before the state of New Jersey starting regulating surgery centers, Dr. Parker and his team were implementing a “culture of safety” at the Surgiplex.
For potential patients thinking about cosmetic surgery in New Jersey (http://www. parkercenter. net/), Dr. Parker urges them to be proactive about their own safety. In doing this, he has come up with a triad of safety that should be taken into account before proceeding with surgery.
1. The Surgeon: Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures that the plastic surgeon has completed the necessary education and training as well as passed rigorous written and oral examinations. He also must continue his education to keep his certificate. Dr. Parker warns patients, “You would be surprised at who is calling themselves a plastic surgeon when in fact all they did was attend a weekend course in a procedure. Yes, they are doctors, but a weekend seminar does not make a plastic surgeon.” Be sure your surgeon has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Once his credentials are established, evaluate his character. Dr. Parker stresses that having a connection with the surgeon is essential to good communication and a successful procedure. “You have to go with your gut on this one and ask yourself if you trust him.” When looking for plastic surgeons in Paramus NJ (http://www. parkercenter. net/), it is essential that they put safety first.
2. Anesthesiologists: They must be board certified, as well. These are the doctors who ensure that the patient is comfortable and safe while the surgeon does his job. While administering anesthesia, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient carefully. By careful preparation and intraoperative monitoring safe anesthesia is performed.
3. The Facility: The next step is to make sure the facility has been accredited and certified by AAAASF, JCAHO and Medicare. These are “gold standards” to ensure that the facility is as safe as possible. Find out if the latest in technology is being used in surgery as well as in anesthesia. Look around and be sure the facility is clean and a pleasant environment. Be sure the staff has appropriately credentialed registered nurses, surgical technicians, and board-certified anesthesiologists. Ideally, this same team works together with the plastic surgeon day and day out ensuring safe and predictable outcomes from surgery and anesthesia.
The 15,000 square foot Parker Center complex houses Surgiplex and its state-of-the-art equipment with “all the safety measures that are standard in a hospital.” While the equipment is all the latest in technology, Dr. Parker credits the teamwork between his anesthesiologists, registered nurses, surgical technicians and himself as a tremendous advantage. Having worked with this same team for many years, surgery and postop recovery tends to flow very smoothly. They all know exactly what role they play for each procedure.
When getting ready for each cosmetic surgery in New Jersey (http://www. parkercenter. net/), Dr. Parker’s team carefully screens every patient and confers with his or her personal doctor on any existing and possible health problems. Dr. Parker says that the best way to handle emergency situations is not to have them. That’s what his “culture of safety” is all about.
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