Planning for Otolaryngologic Surgery

Recognizing that all surgery is stressful, Greenwich Hospital’s staff provides specialized individual attention to all surgical ear, nose and throat patients.

Personal Guidance

Patient support includes organizing preoperative tests and admission procedures, making discharge arrangements, coordinating home care and rehabilitation services and helping patients understand insurance benefits.

Planning for Surgery

Greenwich Hospital’s preadmission program works with patients and families to ensure that admission, discharge and aftercare go smoothly. Children who have surgery at Greenwich Hospital receive special attention in our pediatric unit.

Preadmission

A preadmission nurse conducts preoperative interviews by telephone with all patients scheduled for surgery. The nurse explains:

• What is involved with the procedure
• How to prepare for surgery
• What to expect during the hospital stay
• How to prepare for returning home after surgery
• Follow-up physical therapy or rehabilitation, if the patient’s surgery requires it

The nurse makes sure that all the necessary preoperative tests have been done and conducts a complete review of the patient’s medical history. Any needs the patient has, such as translation services or transportation, are discussed.

More about Patient services at Greenwich Hospital

More about Admitting

Inpatient ENT Surgical Care

Greenwich Hospital provides highly personalized and attentive care in its 48-bed surgical inpatient unit. Patient rooms are comfortably furnished to accommodate overnight visitors if a family member wishes to remain with a patient. Each room has wireless Internet, telephone and TV service. Newspapers and magazines are available for delivery as well.

Pain Management

Appropriate pain control helps patients recover faster and also reduces the risk of developing certain complications. When pain is well controlled, patients are better able to participate in important activities such as walking, deep breathing exercises and physical therapy and rehabilitation. All surgery patients are continually assessed to ensure they remain comfortable. 

More on pain management

Discharge Planning

Discharge planning begins before the procedure, with the preadmission interview.

Patients who are scheduled for ambulatory surgery, often called “same-day surgery,” receive discharge instructions during the preadmission phone interview. They will receive them again after they are admitted to the hospital.

Patients who stay longer will review discharge information with the care team during their hospital stay. An individualized plan will be developed, often in collaboration with physicians, nurses, case workers and others to address a variety of patient needs. These include transportation, support services, home care, medication management and rehabilitation referrals or placements.

A case manager works directly with patients to review their insurance benefits. The case manager will also recommend post-discharge treatment options based on the patient’s insurance coverage.

To contact the surgery preadmission nurse, please call 203-863-3629.

To contact case management, call 203-863-3336 or e-mail Ann Marie Coviello.

Learn more about discharge procedures

Billing and Payment

Part of the discharge planning process includes helping patients fully understand the billing process in order to plan for payment. Case managers work closely with patients to clarify insurance benefits eligibility.

Please note: Patients may receive separate bills from providers other than the hospital. These may include physicians, such as the radiologist and anesthesiologist, and the laboratory.

Learn more about billing and how to pay your bill online