Surgery

At St. Croix Health, we understand that surgery can be scary for many reasons. It is our goal to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and walk you step by step through the process, so your experience is a safe and positive one. We have equipped our surgical department with the latest technology, including minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery, along with skilled surgeons and other healthcare professionals to make sure you are educated and confident in your preparation, procedure, and recovery.

We offer a variety of surgeries including traditional, minimally invasive procedures, and same day surgeries.

Your Care Team

The Surgical Team at St. Croix Health is made up of many different specialists who vary depending on the type of surgery you are having.

• Primary Care Provider — the Primary Care Provider is responsible for overall health on an on-going basis. They may perform a physical exam prior to surgery.
• Surgeon — the surgeon performs the procedure making sure the process is done in a safe and professional manner.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) — the CRNA monitors the patients’ well-being during the surgical procedure. They evaluate patients before surgery to determine an anesthesia plan of care to include pain control before, during, and after surgery.
• Nurse — your nurses may vary depending on the step you are at in your surgery process. Pre-procedure screening nurses will take your medical history and assist with any labs/x-rays/EKGs you may need prior to surgery. They will also help you get ready the day you come in for surgery. Operating room nurses will assist the surgeon performing the operation by working together to make sure the procedure goes smoothly and ensuring you are always safe. Recovery room nurses will assist and monitor you after the surgery while you recover from the effects of the anesthesia. St. Croix health nurses will assist you through your post-operative period, administering pain medications, performing wound care, getting you necessities such as food and water, and will help answer any questions you may have.
• Hospitalists — the Hospitalist is a provider who will assist in the care of any underlying medical conditions while patients are in the hospital. They will communicate with your primary care provider as needed at the time of discharge. All patients are seen by a hospitalist.
• Hospital Pharmacist — the Hospital Pharmacist reviews all medication orders to ensure there are no interactions between prescribed medications or issues with allergies. They may also assist physicians to be sure pain management medications are effective.
• Discharge Planner/Social Worker — The Discharge Planner/Social Worker coordinates discharge planning, which includes setting up resources, such as outpatient therapy, home health or arrangements for transitional care placement.

The da Vinci® Surgical System

Traditional open surgery, where a surgeon operates with handheld instruments through a large cut (incision), may be the first method that comes to mind. However, you could also be a candidate for a less invasive approach requiring just a few small cuts, called minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery includes laparoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgical device. This machine allows our surgeons to perform more minimally invasive operations. A minimally invasive surgery requires fewer incisions than traditional surgery, which reduces risk factors of and allows patients to recover from the operation faster.

Your surgeon is with you in the operating room, seated at the da Vinci system console. The console gives your surgeon control of the instruments they use to perform your surgery. Your surgeon uses tiny instruments that move like a human hand but with a far greater range of motion. The system’s built-in tremor-filtration technology helps your surgeon move each instrument with smooth precision. Our team at St. Croix Health has performed hundreds of these minimally invasive procedures.

Call (800) 828-3627 to learn more about surgical procedures performed at St. Croix Health.