The advantages of outpatient surgery

In a newly published article, the Technicians' Health Insurance The advantages of outpatient surgery are very clear. Especially in times when horror stories about hospital germs are constantly being reported and even entire hospital departments have to be closed, every patient should obtain detailed information before a planned procedure.

Modern medicine and significantly improved anesthesia techniques make it possible to perform operations on an outpatient basis that would have required a lengthy hospital stay just a few years ago. And this, scientifically proven, is performed at the highest medical standards, without compromising safety. However, reservations about outpatient surgery remain very strong, especially in this country. Ignorance of the many advantages may be one reason for this. Yet the benefits are so obvious that they actually require no scientific research to recognize them.

Go home straight after the operation?

This is perhaps the point that causes most patients to feel uneasy when discussing the pros and cons of outpatient surgery. The TK beautifully puts it this way: "Those who undergo outpatient surgery spend the first night in their own bed instead of in the hospital. In familiar surroundings and among familiar people, patients create an ideal environment for a speedy recovery. Recovering at home means the patient sleeps and receives visitors whenever and for as long as they want. They are cared for by a trusted person." These factors are a very important component of a speedy recovery, especially for children and the elderly.

And what about hospital germs?

This is perhaps the most compelling argument against inpatient surgery these days. In recent years, we've received horrific news stories with increasing regularity about infections that patients have contracted in hospital. These infections are usually caused by hospital-acquired germs. As the name suggests, these are bacteria that, in this form, are found almost exclusively in hospitals. Resistant to most of the antibiotics known to us, such infections can have fatal consequences. Many scientific studies show that wound infections occur very rarely during outpatient surgery. Statistically speaking, this is significantly less than during inpatient procedures.

"Why is that?" many will now ask. "Aren't they paying attention in the hospital?"

During all surgical procedures, whether outpatient or inpatient, every doctor will do everything imaginable to prevent infection. Infections that occur during the immediate procedure, i.e., those acquired in the operating room itself, are rare. The subsequent stay in the hospital with dressing changes and wound treatment is problematic. This carries the risk of infection with hospital-acquired germs. Hospitals, where many sick people gather in close quarters, are unfortunately the ideal breeding ground for such germs. Hospital-acquired germs are practically non-existent in nature or in a patient's home environment. A short stay in the outpatient clinic or hospital solely for the operation is the best protection against infection with hospital-acquired germs.