ANSWERING SERVICE OR ANSWERING MACHINE?
Whom Should Patients Call After Hours?

We were having trouble with post-op patients calling the center after hours with questions or concerns, and leaving messages on our answering machine, which we wouldn’t hear until we came in the next morning. To solve the problem, we now hand this postcard to every patient at discharge. It lists the surgeon’s 24/7 contact information and emergency instructions. Hint: Our surgery center’s phone number is not on the card.

Denise VanBuren, RN, CNOR, ONC
The Surgery Center at Orthopedic Associates
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
[email protected]