In-office vs. hospital procedures

While a hospital is the only option for major surgery, there are many procedures that can be safely performed in Dr Parker’s office, in a similar way to dental procedures. There are advantages to having an in-office procedure, especially if it is an elective procedure and you don’t have private health insurance.

You may have experience of having small procedures, such as biopsies or stitches, performed in a doctor's office. These scenarios are also applicable to oculoplastics. Some larger procedures can also be perfumed safely and effectively in the office.

An in-office procedure is performed in one of our specialised procedure rooms. You will be seated in a reclining chair. Appropriate instrumentation, lighting and sterilisation are available.

During the procedure, Dr Parker and an assistant are in attendance. Unlike an operating theatre, no anaesthetist is present. As a result, these procedures are performed without sedation and you will be awake throughout your procedure.

If you think you’ll be feeling anxious, speak to your surgeon about options to manage this.

Because there is no private hospital admission, no hospital admission fee is charged, affording a significant saving. There is no separate anaesthetic doctor fee either. A 'facility fee' to cover consumables used during the procedure may be charged.

Private hospital insurance is not necessary for an in-rooms procedure. Private insurance is unable (by law) to cover any outpatient medical costs. Medicare provides a rebate for these services. Almost all procedures cost more than the Medicare rebate and require a gap payment. The amount of gap payment required depends on your procedure and personal circumstances. In particular, the Medicare Safety Net and Extended Medicare Safety Net may apply for outpatient procedures and in some cases can dramatically increase the rebate you will get back for these procedures.

Individual circumstances vary widely. You can find out your eligibility for this from Medicare directly.

During your procedure you will be fully awake. Without an anaesthetist present it is not safe to give significant sedation. For longer or larger procedures this may be inappropriate. Dr Parker can advise you accordingly. Oral pre-medication may be an option you can discuss with him.

Only procedures that can be successfully performed with local anaesthetic are suitable for this setting. If the procedure is likely to require strong pain medication, you will need to attend a hospital.

Some people are anxious about medical procedures and if this sounds like you, you may be more suited to an operating theatre setting with 'twilight' sedation. If you think you’ll be feeling anxious, speak to Dr Parker about options to manage this.

Make sure you have some time to eat and drink on the day of your procedure (to prevent light-headedness), but do not have a heavy meal immediately before coming.

Wear loose comfortable clothing. Your shirt collar may become soiled with brown antiseptic solution, so wear a washable shirt.

If you are taking blood thinning medication, it will need to be stopped in accordance with Dr Parker’s instruction. Some patients require alternative injectable medicine to provide temporary anticoagulation while stopping their blood thinners. This needs to be coordinated with your prescribing doctor.

You will be given instructions on care after your procedure. You will need to keep your dressings and incisions clean and dry until they have healed.

Blood thinning medication can usually be resumed the day after surgery. Sutures will be removed at 1 to 2 weeks in the clinic.

Any biopsy results will be provided at your next appointment with Dr Parker. Contact numbers will be given to you in case you have any problems.