The PAT Center at WHS Reduces Pre-Surgery Anxiety Through Testing and Education

By Andrew Wilson

For the average person, going to the hospital for surgery can be intimidating. Not only is there anxiety about the procedure itself, but there may also be a thousand questions.

“Where do I go?” “Will the procedure take long?” “How long will I be under anesthesia?” “What will my recovery be like?” And the list goes on.

The PAT Center at Washington Health System (WHS) can answer these questions and many more. PAT stands for Pre-Assessment Testing, but the center does much more than just pre-testing patients for surgery.

“Our patients have anxiety about coming to the hospital, but the PAT Center is located near the outpatient surgery center, so they will become familiar about where they are going the day of their surgery,” said Erin Hoy, assistant manager of the PAT Center. “They will also get familiar with some of the faces they will see on the day of surgery.”

Hoy says the average visit lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. The typical tests involve a physical exam, which likely includes blood work and an EKG (electrocardiogram), but there may be additional tests needed depending on the procedure. Testing is only part of it, though.

“At the PAT Center, we not only do testing, but we also provide patient education,” Hoy said. “We teach post-op breathing exercises, protein supplements you might want to take, and how to manage any pain you might experience.”

There is also the opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals who will provide care for the patient before, during, and after surgery. These professionals can include nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Patients also meet with an anesthesiologist who will explain how the anesthesia will be administered and answer any questions they may have.

If that sounds like a lot to pack into one hour, it is, but it’s done for a specific reason: patient safety and comfort.

“Pre-testing is done to make sure the patient is safe for surgery because all surgeries carry some risk,” said Hoy. “We recommend that patients come to the PAT Center two weeks before surgery.”

The two-week window is a precaution in case a problem is uncovered before surgery. And if a problem is uncovered, the PAT Center team can guide them through the process of next steps for possible clearance.

“The PAT Center will set up an appointment with your primary care physician, who is most familiar with your medical history, and your doctor will examine you and determine if you can be cleared for surgery or if other care is warranted,” said Hoy. “In most cases, this can all take place in time for the surgery to proceed as scheduled.”

Taken altogether, the PAT Center offers such a variety of services that a skeptical person might be wondering how much this will cost. Hoy puts that fear to rest quickly.

“There are no out-of-pocket costs at the PAT Center,” said Hoy. “All of the costs for testing are included in the surgical plan for that procedure.”

Before the PAT Center at WHS existed, patients had to schedule their own pre-testing, and there was no one to walk them through what to expect the day of surgery or have them meet with members of the healthcare team that will be helping in their procedure and their recovery. While anxiety around surgery may never be totally eliminated, the questions that the PAT Center at WHS can answer makes the preparation for a procedure a lot less stressful.

Patients can schedule an appointment with the PAT Center at WHS through their surgeon’s office. The PAT Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.