Patient safety in surgery has long been important in the lengthy education and training of surgeons. Plastic surgeons typically have 4 years of medical school, 5 years of general surgical residency and additional years of plastic surgical residency or fellowship. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is a national organization that emphasizes patient safety in many ways. One of them is the requirement for ongoing specific patient-safety education, another is the requirement that member surgeons only operate in accredited surgical facilities.
ACCREDITATION is the process which recognizes that the facility meets detailed standards. The process is similar to that for hospitals and out-patient surgical centers, but tailored to the size and scope of the office facilities. The process includes complying with standards (architectural, equipment, staffing training, reporting, etc.). Our center is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF.org). JCAHO, AOA and AAAHC are other similar organizations. As of 2007 South Carolina state law requires accreditation by one of these national organizations.
BOARD CERTIFICATION is a voluntary process of evaluating a physician's education and training. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are required to maintain board certification. Dr. Graham achieved board certification in plastic surgery in 1992. He exceeds continuing medical education standards in his specialty. Patients treated in our office surgical facility have the additional benefit of a board certified MD anesthesiologist for their procedures.
STATE REGULATION has been encouraged by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as they believe patient safety will be enhanced. The South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners put in place state regulations several years ago, but these were strengthened when full accreditation was required for all medical offices providing general anesthesia or deep sedation (level II & III facilities). Regulations are contained in statue Chapter 81-96. Additional regulations are produced by DHEC.
Showing posts with label office-based surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label office-based surgery. Show all posts
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Plastic Surgery Top Ten: 2000 decade's biggest trends
2010's start gives us the perspective to look back over the decade of 2000 and decide what the most important trends were in plastic surgery. The publication Plastic Surgery News did this in their Jan/Feb issue and here is their list:
10) MEDICAL TOURISM increases and raises the concern about sacrificing quality for cost.
9) Increased OFFICE-BASED COSMETIC SURGERY -- now chosen by the majority of patients over a hospital or out-patient multi-use facility.
8) Increase in MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS patients, following gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery.
7) POLITICAL ADVOCACY for plastic surgery, including stopping the national cosmetic procedure 5% tax from Washington and various state bills.
6) Stressing HIGH STANDARDS. After high profile deaths including Kanye West's mother Donda, and the author of First Wives Club Olivia Goldsmith, the media and the public became more interested in the message of quality & safety repeated by the American Society of Plastic Surgery.
5) Hyaluronic acid SOFT TISSUE FILLERS (Restylane, Juvederm, etc.) and others became available, offering patients new options for facial aesthetic enhancement. The injectable products influenced many non-plastic surgeons to become cosmetic physicians (outside their primary specialty).
4) BOTOX became FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2002 and launched a major trend in non-surgical cosmetic medicine. Dysport continued the trend and PurTox and Xeomin await FDA approval in 2010.
3) "REALITY TV" found millions of viewers eager for plastic surgery entertainment, and spawned several copycat series. Plastic surgeons saw a new openness and interest among patients.
2) SILICONE GEL implants were allowed back by an FDA decision in 2006. Long-term studies of newer models are underway.
AND FINALLY...
1) FACE TRANSPLANTATION becomes a reality. Two such procedures have been performed in the US, and several others overseas. Victims of our recent wars may be the next major area for this marvelous reconstructive work.
We can only hope that the next decade will bring as many wonderful and exciting advances to plastic surgery, so that we have even more to offer our patients.
10) MEDICAL TOURISM increases and raises the concern about sacrificing quality for cost.
9) Increased OFFICE-BASED COSMETIC SURGERY -- now chosen by the majority of patients over a hospital or out-patient multi-use facility.
8) Increase in MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS patients, following gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery.
7) POLITICAL ADVOCACY for plastic surgery, including stopping the national cosmetic procedure 5% tax from Washington and various state bills.
6) Stressing HIGH STANDARDS. After high profile deaths including Kanye West's mother Donda, and the author of First Wives Club Olivia Goldsmith, the media and the public became more interested in the message of quality & safety repeated by the American Society of Plastic Surgery.
5) Hyaluronic acid SOFT TISSUE FILLERS (Restylane, Juvederm, etc.) and others became available, offering patients new options for facial aesthetic enhancement. The injectable products influenced many non-plastic surgeons to become cosmetic physicians (outside their primary specialty).
4) BOTOX became FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2002 and launched a major trend in non-surgical cosmetic medicine. Dysport continued the trend and PurTox and Xeomin await FDA approval in 2010.
3) "REALITY TV" found millions of viewers eager for plastic surgery entertainment, and spawned several copycat series. Plastic surgeons saw a new openness and interest among patients.
2) SILICONE GEL implants were allowed back by an FDA decision in 2006. Long-term studies of newer models are underway.
AND FINALLY...
1) FACE TRANSPLANTATION becomes a reality. Two such procedures have been performed in the US, and several others overseas. Victims of our recent wars may be the next major area for this marvelous reconstructive work.
We can only hope that the next decade will bring as many wonderful and exciting advances to plastic surgery, so that we have even more to offer our patients.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tummy Tuck B&A photos by Sutton Graham, MD
Tummy tuck is called abdominoplasty by plastic surgeons; reshaping the abdomen.
These are some of our happiest patients! Women are excited when they see how much we can improve the effects of time, gravity, pregnancies, weight changes. If you want to see several examples follow this link: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty-4814/case-1-10867-16331/32069
If the problems are loose skin, stretch marks across the lower abdomen, a roll-like collection of fat, and / or poor tone of the abdominal wall then tummy tuck can improve your appearance. If you lost quite a bit of weight then you often experience some of these. On the other hand if the problem is only localized fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise, then liposuction may be a better procedure. During your consultation, we will check and explain how each procedure can help. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/tummy-tuck.html
The procedure is done as an out-patient in our nationally accredited office surgery facility. You need assistance for a few days and will normally resume driving in 1 1/2 or 2 weeks. You wear a support girdle for 3 weeks post-op. We recommend starting vigorous exercise 6 weeks post-op. The recovery is more significant than for most other cosmetic surgery procedures, however we use special new techniques such as a continuous-infusion local anesthetic pump for 3-4 days after the procedure. This reduces you discomfort and decreases the need for narcotic pain medicine.
Tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction of the flanks and hip areas to improve the contour of the entire torso. Some patients choose to have breast enhancement (breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction) during tummy tuck. Occasionally we do unrelated procedures such as lip augmentation by fat graft or liposuction of the neck and under-chin area.
If you want to know more, call 864-676-1707 or e-mail at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com
Patients coming to us from a distance should plan a local hotel stay. However most patients come from a 50-100 mile radius and don't have such an issue. Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Anderson, Columbia, Hartwell, Highlands, Sapphire, Cashiers, Brevard, Henderson, Tryon, Landrum, Greer, Simpsonville, Newberry, Greenwood, Clemson, Lakes Hartwell & Keowee, Seneca, Pickens, Easley, and the Reserve and Cliffs Communities.
These are some of our happiest patients! Women are excited when they see how much we can improve the effects of time, gravity, pregnancies, weight changes. If you want to see several examples follow this link: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty-4814/case-1-10867-16331/32069
If the problems are loose skin, stretch marks across the lower abdomen, a roll-like collection of fat, and / or poor tone of the abdominal wall then tummy tuck can improve your appearance. If you lost quite a bit of weight then you often experience some of these. On the other hand if the problem is only localized fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise, then liposuction may be a better procedure. During your consultation, we will check and explain how each procedure can help. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/tummy-tuck.html
The procedure is done as an out-patient in our nationally accredited office surgery facility. You need assistance for a few days and will normally resume driving in 1 1/2 or 2 weeks. You wear a support girdle for 3 weeks post-op. We recommend starting vigorous exercise 6 weeks post-op. The recovery is more significant than for most other cosmetic surgery procedures, however we use special new techniques such as a continuous-infusion local anesthetic pump for 3-4 days after the procedure. This reduces you discomfort and decreases the need for narcotic pain medicine.
Tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction of the flanks and hip areas to improve the contour of the entire torso. Some patients choose to have breast enhancement (breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction) during tummy tuck. Occasionally we do unrelated procedures such as lip augmentation by fat graft or liposuction of the neck and under-chin area.
If you want to know more, call 864-676-1707 or e-mail at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com
Patients coming to us from a distance should plan a local hotel stay. However most patients come from a 50-100 mile radius and don't have such an issue. Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Anderson, Columbia, Hartwell, Highlands, Sapphire, Cashiers, Brevard, Henderson, Tryon, Landrum, Greer, Simpsonville, Newberry, Greenwood, Clemson, Lakes Hartwell & Keowee, Seneca, Pickens, Easley, and the Reserve and Cliffs Communities.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Safe Surgery in the News
Recently the Wall Street Journal ran an article stressing the importance of safety and accreditation in office-based surgery (including cosmetic surgery). (July 21, 2009) We couldn't agree more.
The article highlights that many facilities lack oversight, regulation, etc. Potential patients should be aware that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons saw the importance of facility accreditation several years ago. The ASPS requires that all of its members only operate in accredited facilities. Members are also board-certified in plastic surgery.
Our office surgical facility was carefully designed from the outset with safety in mind. It has been nationally accredited from the beginning by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). This includes annual review, on-site visits, staff training and certification, back-up equipment and safety systems. Our facility meets or exceeds state laws and regulations. All anesthesia is performed by our board-certified MD anesthesiologist. All OR nursing and physician personnel are Advanced Cardiac Life Support certified (ACLS). http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/about.html#nationally-accredited-facilities
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300971306299860.html
The article highlights that many facilities lack oversight, regulation, etc. Potential patients should be aware that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons saw the importance of facility accreditation several years ago. The ASPS requires that all of its members only operate in accredited facilities. Members are also board-certified in plastic surgery.
Our office surgical facility was carefully designed from the outset with safety in mind. It has been nationally accredited from the beginning by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). This includes annual review, on-site visits, staff training and certification, back-up equipment and safety systems. Our facility meets or exceeds state laws and regulations. All anesthesia is performed by our board-certified MD anesthesiologist. All OR nursing and physician personnel are Advanced Cardiac Life Support certified (ACLS). http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/about.html#nationally-accredited-facilities
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300971306299860.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)