For physicians and their patients, the Outpatient Surgery Center is an innovative approach to outpatient surgical care, affording a level and quality of service unsurpassed in San Francisco. This approach reflects St. Luke's commitment to the community to provide excellent medical care in a cost-effective manner. Quality medical care should not be out of reach to those who seek it.

The Center is a resource for primary-care physicians, offering comprehensive surgical services to their patients in a fully equipped facility. It is the place for physicians to refer candidates for outpatient surgery when they want superior care in a state-of-the-art environment.

As an alternative to free-standing or other Outpatient Surgery Centers, St. Luke's Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center is the best choice - with an extraordinary team of professionals, sophisticated equipment, and an attractive, comfortable setting for patients and their families.

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• Outpatient Surgery Center Team
• A Place for Patients and Their Families
• The Cost of Treatment
• Advantages of the Outpatient Surgery Center
• Working with Primary-care Physician
• Physician Referring a Patient
• Types of Procedures Performed

Outpatient Surgery Center Team

A select staff of bilingual professionals is dedicated to delivering exceptional care. The team comprises:

• Board-Certified Surgeons in all surgical specialties, with expertise in the latest outpatient surgical procedures, including laser and microsurgical techniques.
• Anesthesiologists have, on average, nine years of experience at St. Luke's. Many are board-certified. Most are former faculty members of the nation's top reaching hospitals.
• An on-site Medical Director to oversee the facility and ensure that patient care meets the highest standards.
• Nurses have comprehensive training and experience in outpatient operative procedures.


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A Place for Patients and Their Families

What is different about St. Luke's Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center will be immediately apparent to patients and their families.

Opened in April 1996, this modern facility is the finest San Francisco has to offer. In pleasant surroundings, patients receive personal attention by the friendly, caring, bilingual staff. For family members, the Center has a private, spacious waiting room. Shuttle service can be arranged for patients who need transportation to and from the facility.

St. Luke's Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center makes it easy for the doctor and convenient for the patient - with simple referral and check-in procedures, and with all necessary support services available in one place.


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The Cost of Treatment

The cost of care is competitively priced, the result of a unique collaboration between the providers of service and St. Luke's Hospital. By streamlining procedures, reducing administrative costs and pooling resources, the Center is able to offer preferential pricing.

Charges are eligible for reimbursement under most health-insurance plans, including Aetna Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. In addition, HMOs, BayCare, Medicare and Medi-Cal recognize charges by the Center. However, certain elective cosmetic procedures may not be covered by these programs. A financial representative is available to assist the patient with insurance-coverage determination.


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Advantages of the Outpatient Surgery Center

With three large, well-lit operating rooms and state-of-the-art medical equipment, the Center can easily accommodate operations in a wide range of specialties. Because these surgical suites can be employed simultaneously, the capacity of the Center is significant - and the scheduling of patients for surgery greatly facilitated.

Patients will be attended by a well-coordinated, highly trained surgical team supported by high-tech monitors and specialty equipment. The Center's standard equipment includes:

• An ophthalmic microscope and phacoemulsification machine
• Video equipment that can simultaneously record and take still photos.
• Hewlett-Packard multi-channel monitors
• Oximeters
• CO2 analyzers


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Working with Primary-care Physician

The Outpatient Surgery Center works with the primary-care physician to facilitate scheduling and coordination of pre- and postoperative care.

Pre- and postoperative education will be provided by the staff so that the patient will be fully informed, feel comfortable and not need to call the primary-care physician with questions.

At the request of the primary-care physician, the anesthesiologist will perform the preoperative History and Physical.

The primary-care physician will be apprised of the patient's medical status and receive a copy of the operative report.

If any circumstances arise which are not routine to the outpatient procedure, the primary-care physician will be personally called by the attending anesthesiologist.

The patient will be instructed to return to the primary-care physician for follow-up care if needed.


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Physician Referring a Patient

Scheduling a patient for surgery at The Outpatient Surgery Center is easy for the physician.

Patient referrals can be arranged by calling The Outpatient Surgery Center at (415) 641-6889.

Physicians practicing at St. Luke's have been provided with a short-form History and Physical (H&P) which can be faxed to the STAR Unit at (415) 641-6704.

Who can be treated?
Only ASA Category I and Category II patients will be accepted for surgery at the facility.


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Types of Procedures Performed

With a multidisciplinary team of physicians and fully equipped rooms, The Outpatient Surgery Center is capable of handling many types of procedures, from simple to complex surgeries. Following is a partial list:

• Arthroscopy
• Breast Biopsy
• Bunionectomy
• Cataract Extraction
• Circumcision
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Dental Extractions
• Herniorrhaphy
• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Laparoscopy
• Liposuction
• SMR/Rhinoplasty
• Tubal Ligation
• Tympanoplasty


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