Surgical Services
If you need surgery, you couldn’t pick a better place than Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital. Patients sometimes drive several hours to have surgery here because of the reputation of the surgeon, excellent nursing care, and a beautiful lakeside location, which combine to make having surgery about as pleasant as it can be.
Our goal is to make you healthy again. From routine appendectomies or joint replacement, to complex cancer care or cardiac treatment, depend on us to apply all our medical knowledge and skills on your behalf, offer you hope, help you heal and encourage you to make the most of your health and abilities. Best of all, you'll rest and recover in our beautiful lakeside wing, with colorful sunsets, peaceful views of Lake Michigan, and the calming sound of waves along the shore.
What to Expect
Our surgical care team includes physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, an infection prevention coordinator, nutrition/diabetes educator, social worker, occupational and physical therapists, and others.
On any given day, about 12 patients are staying on our 21-bed medical-surgical/critical care unit. Patients have a designated registered nurse on each shift who is responsible for coordinating all aspects of their care. Our nursing staff is very well versed in caring for a wide range of diagnoses. Our favorable nurse-to-patient ratios allow us to provide individualized, attentive care, and maintain lower-than-average infection and readmission rates. New high-tech hospital beds include added features to help keep patients safe. Inpatient satisfaction numbers are also very high.
We believe family members play an important role in the patient’s healing and recovery, and encourage visits as the patient’s condition allows.
Having Surgery? Take a Class First
Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital offers a free class for anyone who is having hip or knee replacement, neck or back fusion surgery at the hospital. Classes are held every Tuesday afternoon. Patients will learn what they should do before surgery to prepare, what to expect after surgery, and what to do to aid recovery. The team approach includes a nutritionist and a social worker in addition to rehab therapists.
Before Your Surgery - Please refer to the Surgery Patient Guide for complete details about how to prepare for your surgery and for forms to be completed before your hospital stay.
Recover in a Swing Bed
Following surgery or any kind of debilitating illness, some patients may begin their recovery by participating in rehab therapy to build up endurance and strength while staying at the hospital in a “swing bed.”
Transitional Care in a Swing Bed - Patients who qualify under Medicare for skilled nursing care, infusion services, long-term IV antibiotics, or wound care, may be able to stay at Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital in “swing bed” rooms for those who need transitional care between hospital and home. Under new federal rules, it is the patient’s choice whether to go to a skilled nursing facility or stay in the hospital. Patients who have received medical or surgical services at other hospitals also may transfer to a swing bed at Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital.
Medicare patients must receive acute care as a hospital or Critical Access Hospital inpatient for a medically necessary stay of at least three consecutive calendar days to qualify for coverage of skilled nursing facility-level services.
Outpatient Surgery
Advances in medical technology and new minimally-invasive procedures mean that many surgical procedures are now done on an outpatient basis. That's good news for the patient. Most people recover more quickly and comfortably in the familiar surroundings of their own home. It also significantly reduces medical costs.
If you are having outpatient surgery, you must have a responsible adult of your choice accompany you from the hospital when you are discharged. This person must be able to drive you home. Someone must stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
Everyone scheduled for outpatient surgery at Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital meets with a nurse for a preoperative interview to go over specific instructions and learn what to expect. This interview will last about 30 minutes and is a good opportunity to ask questions. See the Surgery Patient Guide for details.