A Definition of Surgery in State
Surgery, unlike general dentistry, is a specialized medical or surgical discipline that employs surgical techniques on an individual to investigate or even cure a physiological condition like an injury or disease, to enhance bodily function, appearance or even to repair inappropriate ruptured tissue. It may involve any or all of the following: open heart surgery, corrective hip surgery, laminectomy (to repair a torn muscle), facial cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, kidney surgery, heart bypass surgery, cardiac surgery, pediatric surgery, palliative care, aesthetic plastic surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, mastectomy (to remove a cancerous tumor) and urological surgery. Sometimes it can also involve cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, rhinoplasty (to correct nose irregularities), face-lifts and liposuction (to remove fat deposits).
For better understanding, the American Dental Association (ADA) has a complete definition of the word Surgery. According to the ADA, Surgery is “the process of reconstructing or repairing an organ or a structure through the aid of a sharp instrument…The term can also refer to the reorganization of tissue to make it more conforming or natural-looking.” In addition, it is defined as the action of fixing an affected organ or structure by means of surgical or nonsurgical means. Surgery is further divided into two broad categories: major and minor. Major surgery includes reconstructive surgery, whereas minor surgery is usually necessary for treating injuries, removing foreign bodies or correction of abnormal features of the body.
The purpose of this short description is to provide a clear and concise definition for the requirements of surgery. It is important for patients to understand the differences between minor and major surgeries and know and be aware of the risks of incision procedures and their post-operative complications. Patients also need to understand and appreciate the importance of meeting high standards of patient safety and protection during surgery. This definition has been revised from time to meet current recognized patient safety and protection criteria as well as to define surgery beyond its historic role. This definition is intended to become a source of consistency for the standards of patient safety and protection that will be met at each step of a patient’s medical procedure.
The next section of the definition is “rescue procedures”. This includes a list of rescue surgical procedures that may be classified as saving lives. It includes but is not limited to, open heart surgery, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiac surgeries, open heart surgery, kidney transplantation, stomach stapling and stent placement. It should be understood that the rescuer’s highest level of skill is in determining when a person has crossed the line into irreversible harm. The rescuer has been trained in saving as many lives as possible and so a sample letter and standard operating procedure form should be writing describing the rescuer’s experience with saving lives, which should include the minimum number of rescues over the past year.
The third category of items included in the definition of surgery in state requires the presence of a written policy or an approved manual that governs the actions taken in the case of a bad outcome. This is not required in all states, but if it is provided, it should be included in the hospital’s handbook. Such a policy or manual should outline all of the responsibilities of the hospital staff and provide a means by which a hospital can make mistakes and still maintain a good record and operating procedure. Such policies and manuals are also commonly referred to as quality control or quality assurance documents. The use of these documents is strongly encouraged because of their ability to help protect both the patients and the doctors who perform surgery at the hospital.
The final category is “general surgery”. This requires the use of a generic or brief reference that describes the entire range of possible surgical interventions that could be performed on any patient with any number of medical problems and concerns. This is the most important element because it ensures patient safety and the proper documentation of any surgery that occurs. Such a definition of surgery in the state is extremely important because it helps ensure patient safety while surgeons are performing their surgeries.
