OBGYN | Gynecologist | Chicago | OB GYN Blog

An increasing number of patients are now forgoing hospital visits and opting for in-office surgical procedures in private practices, reducing stress and saving time and money during a recession. Medical technology and anesthesia have advanced so that physicians in private practices can now perform procedures that once required a hospital, outpatient surgical setting - procedures established by the industry as safe, yet have the advantage of retaining a patient’s privacy and allowing them to be in more nurturing, less clinical environments. This trend has drastically increased in recent years, with USA Today reporting in January that visits to free-standing surgical centers have tripled to 15 million surgeries and procedures from 1996 to 2006.

At the Northwestern Specialists for Women, we are doing more and more in-office procedures that used to be performed only in hospitals. We offer a full range of surgical services that allow us to administer the same anesthesia for comprehensive procedures that a woman would typically receive in the hospital. Some of the more common in-office procedures performed at NSW include dilation and curettage, diagnostic hysteroscopy, hysteroscopy with polyp removal, endometrial ablation for abnormal menstrual bleeding, simple perineorrhaphy and more.

Patients recovering in our office receive much more personalized care, report quicker recoveries and also save money. Many patients are also comforted knowing that their spouse, significant other or simply a friend can be with them during their recover time.

More patient benefits from the growing demand for in-office procedures include:
• Comfort – As opposed to lengthy hospital stays, patients recover more comfortably which in turn typically reduces the recovery time.
• Convenient Scheduling – A hospital visit can take several days, whereas an in-office or outpatient procedure can be completed in one day.
• Lower Cost – Medical bills are greatly lessened without a lengthy hospital visit. Patients also don’t need to sacrifice work time or paid time off, which is particularly critical with the current economy.
• Decreased Stress – Patients don’t have to worry about being away from home and their family.
• Pleasant Environment – As opposed to the often sterile hospital environment, more progressive facilities such as NSW provide a calm and soothing environment and relaxing décor to set patients at ease.

At NSW, were are a progressive full service obstetrics and gynecology practice providing superior medical services and cutting-edge procedures for women of all ages. For more information on the array of in-office surgical procedures we offer, feel free to stop in to take a look at our facilities and speak with any of our staff members, or simply call 312.775.1100 for more information.