Hello, I’m having a mommy makeover on Monday. During my pre-op visit a MA who referred to herself as a “nurse” informed me that my 1 week post-op visit would be with her for to remove drains and sutures. I’m an RN and my husband is a physician and we found this odd. Is it typical for your medical assistants to remove surgical drains and for you to not see your patients till 4 weeks post op? Thanks.
Answer: Medical assistants to remove surgical drains In many medical settings, including surgical practices, trained medical assistants often assist in various aspects of patient care, including removing surgical drains under the supervision or guidance of the surgeon. However, the exact responsibilities and tasks delegated to medical assistants can vary based on state regulations, the specific policies of the medical practice, and the surgeon's preferences.
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Answer: Medical assistants to remove surgical drains In many medical settings, including surgical practices, trained medical assistants often assist in various aspects of patient care, including removing surgical drains under the supervision or guidance of the surgeon. However, the exact responsibilities and tasks delegated to medical assistants can vary based on state regulations, the specific policies of the medical practice, and the surgeon's preferences.
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April 12, 2022
Answer: Mommy Makeover Hi & thanks for your question.
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April 12, 2022
Answer: Mommy Makeover Hi & thanks for your question.
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March 26, 2021
Answer: Definitely unusual I remove all of my own drains. While exceedingly rare, there can be sudden bleeding upon drain removal which would require a physician to be ready and available. Also, if there was resistance upon removal, and this was ignored, a portion of the drain can break - and this only comes with experience. More concerning is that follow up is 1 month after surgery? Depending on the surgery, I always see patients within 8 days post-op. Best of luck to you. -Dr. Harkins
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March 26, 2021
Answer: Definitely unusual I remove all of my own drains. While exceedingly rare, there can be sudden bleeding upon drain removal which would require a physician to be ready and available. Also, if there was resistance upon removal, and this was ignored, a portion of the drain can break - and this only comes with experience. More concerning is that follow up is 1 month after surgery? Depending on the surgery, I always see patients within 8 days post-op. Best of luck to you. -Dr. Harkins
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February 22, 2021
Answer: Is it typical for your medical assistants to remove surgical drains? All plastic surgeons will have different recommendations in the postoperative period, but I strongly advise my patient to come to follow-up visits so that I can assess how they are doing and evaluate for fluid collections, infection, or other issues. My surgery technicians phone patients the day after surgery to answer any questions and determine if I need to contact them. Patients see me on the 3rd day after surgery and at 4 weeks and at 3 to 6 months. If there are ever any issues with healing, my patients contact me through both email and by calling the office. For out-of-town-patients, follow-ups are scheduled based upon their travel arrangements.
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February 22, 2021
Answer: Is it typical for your medical assistants to remove surgical drains? All plastic surgeons will have different recommendations in the postoperative period, but I strongly advise my patient to come to follow-up visits so that I can assess how they are doing and evaluate for fluid collections, infection, or other issues. My surgery technicians phone patients the day after surgery to answer any questions and determine if I need to contact them. Patients see me on the 3rd day after surgery and at 4 weeks and at 3 to 6 months. If there are ever any issues with healing, my patients contact me through both email and by calling the office. For out-of-town-patients, follow-ups are scheduled based upon their travel arrangements.
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February 15, 2021
Answer: Drain removal, etc Hello, in my practice I see all surgical patients at 1 day post op. We also see patients at 1 week, 2 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6 mon and any other time that there is concern or question about anything. My RN's take out all drains and sutures and will commonly see patients at post op appointments if I am in surgery (patients are always aware of this and if they wish to see me, we reschedule). By the time 1 mon post op comes around, I have seen my patients 1-3 times.
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February 15, 2021
Answer: Drain removal, etc Hello, in my practice I see all surgical patients at 1 day post op. We also see patients at 1 week, 2 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6 mon and any other time that there is concern or question about anything. My RN's take out all drains and sutures and will commonly see patients at post op appointments if I am in surgery (patients are always aware of this and if they wish to see me, we reschedule). By the time 1 mon post op comes around, I have seen my patients 1-3 times.
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