We have seen an increase in procedures performed in physician offices in recent years, including office-based surgeries. The problem was that many states didn’t have strict guidelines for these types of operations, in contrast to surgeries performed in hospitals that had strict protocols and regulations.

Luckily, with the development of technology, regulations, and training, more and more procedures can be done in a physician’s office. So, what exactly is office-based surgery, and is it safe?

What Is Office-Based Surgery?

Office-based surgery is any surgical procedure performed by a licensed health professional under anesthesia. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), there are four levels of anesthesia:

• Level 1 – Mild sedation
• Level 2 – Moderate sedation
• Level 3 – Deep sedation
• Level 4 – General anesthesia

Depending on the performed in-office procedure, a practitioner decides what level of anesthesia is needed to complete the surgery safely. In addition, a specifically trained professional is required to administer any anesthesia above level 1. 

Is Office-Based Surgery Safe?

In-office surgeries may be more comfortable for the patient because they may feel safer in a familiar and more private environment. But many patients wonder how safe these procedures are.

Office-based surgeries are generally considered safe. We now have more regulations regarding these procedures, and only an accredited professional can perform them in the right environment. That minimizes the chances of adverse effects, but they can still occur.

One potential downside of office-based surgery is an inability to act if something goes wrong. The present medical professionals can address any minor issues, but they need to transfer you to the nearest hospital to get adequate care if something significant occurs. 

Patient Safety Goals

The Joint Commission has set goals for improving patient safety in 2022. That includes:

• Identifing patients correctly.

Patients must be identified correctly to receive the proper treatment or medication. That’s why physicians should use at least two ways of identifying their patients, such as the name and date of birth.

• Using medicines responsibly.

Physicians need to be responsible about medicine storage and prescription. Everything needs to be labeled, and they should always speak with patients about their regular treatment. Keep everything on record, and make sure your patients always understand their treatment.

• Preventing infection.

All office-based surgeries must be performed in satisfactory conditions, and everybody must follow hand cleaning guidelines set by CDC or WHO.

• Preventing mistakes in surgery.

Besides infection, physicians must do everything to prevent other mistakes during surgery. They should always analyze the procedure and pause if needed to ensure they are not making mistakes.

Where Can I Get Support for Office-Based Surgeries?

If you are looking for somebody to make your in-office surgeries operate smoothly, Peregrine Healthcare can be the partner you need. We help many healthcare practitioners improve their efficacy and boost revenue with our services. That includes office-based practices and surgeries. 

We offer web-based reporting, hospital payer contracting, ICD-10 transition, education about the latest procedural updates, and other services that can help you focus on what you do best. When you can have a reliable partner, you will feel more comfortable, which will result in better patient care. Click here to learn more about our services for surgeries in an office-based environment.