What to Expect
We know preparing for surgery can be overwhelming. At Trinity Health Of New England, we are by your side at every step.
From preoperative care to recovery, we offer you and your family a positive surgical experience. Our dedicated team provides careful preparation, efficient surgery schedules and real-time updates for your loved ones during your procedure.
Preparing for Surgery: Why Choose Trinity Health Of New England?
Whether your surgery is taking place in one of our hospitals or at an outpatient surgery center, Trinity Health Of New England is here to guide you from start to finish. When you schedule surgery with us, you can expect:
- Thorough preparation: Our providers ensure that you are prepared for surgery. They schedule any necessary testing, assist you with paperwork and answer questions about what to bring and how to prepare before surgery.
- Coordinated care: Nurse navigators coordinate surgery and recovery for patients undergoing specific procedures, including bariatric, thoracic and orthopedic surgery.
- Focus on family: We know you have concerned loved ones in the waiting room. Our providers update families and caregivers about your progress, often using a smartboard in the waiting room or real-time text notifications.
- Expert post-surgery care: Trinity Health Of New England is recognized both regionally and nationally for our Enhanced Recovery Program for Surgery. We provide advanced wound care to ensure a quick and safe recovery.
- Convenient surgical rehabilitation: We offer both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation following your surgery. Our surgical team ensures a smooth transition from recovery to rehabilitation.
Comprehensive Preoperative Support
At Trinity Health Of New England, we believe that properly preparing for surgery reduces complication risks and helps speed recovery. Once we schedule your surgery, you’ll work with one of our preoperative providers who will ensure that everything is in place before your surgery. Our preoperative care includes:
- Assistance with insurance approval
- Review of required paperwork
- Scheduling of bloodwork and required tests
- Evaluation of other existing health conditions to reduce the risk of complications
- Access to nurse navigators for complex surgeries, including bariatric, thoracic and orthopedic procedures
- Patient education and pre-surgery counseling
- Pre-surgery classes, when required
Post-Surgery Care
Your post-surgery care at Trinity Health Of New England begins before you even leave the operating room. We let your loved ones know how your surgery went and alert them when you are moving into recovery. To help you recover smoothly and quickly, Trinity Health Of New England provides post-surgery services, including:
Enhanced recovery protocols
We are a nationally recognized leader in enhanced recovery for patients. Our providers implement protocols before, during and after your procedure to deliver the best possible recovery outcome. In many surgeries, these practices shorten both recovery times and complication rates by 30 percent. Examples of enhanced recovery protocols include:
- Pre-surgery counseling
- Carbohydrate drink before surgery
- Fluid management during surgery
- Use of minimally invasive surgery whenever possible
- Early removal of tubes and drains after surgery
- Early allowance of food intake following surgery
Advanced wound care
Avoiding infection is key to a healthy recovery. We take steps to promote healing after surgery. For difficult surgical wounds, Trinity Health Of New England provides advanced wound care that includes a hyperbaric oxygen program. We offer several hyperbaric units to improve the rate of wound healing.
Rehabilitation
If you require rehabilitation following surgery, Trinity Health Of New England offers both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Our providers work together to assess your condition and recommend the next steps for you.
Learn about our rehabilitation services
Contact Us
Surgical support services vary at hospitals and surgery centers throughout Connecticut and western Massachusetts.