Issue 3: October 2024
Post-Surgical Care New Standard
The delivery of post-surgical care must put the needs of the patient first. Furthermore, the responsibility for post-operative care of patients must be clear to the patient and the medical team.
The College’s governing Council recently passed the new Professional Standards Regarding Responsibility for Post-Surgical Care.
The standard was developed in response to requests from physicians for the need for clear guidance regarding responsibilities concerning post-surgical care. The standard acknowledges the importance of clear communications as follows:
The delivery of post-surgical care must put the needs of the patient first. Furthermore, the responsibility for post-operative care of patients must be clear to the patient and the medical team. It has long been a source of tension and uncertainty within medicine, generating friction between physicians performing an operation or procedure, primary care providers, and emergency departments. As a result of uncertainty and inconsistent practice, patients are often confused as to who is responsible for their post-operative care.