Ambulatory Section

Dr. Nancy Wilkes is the Medical Director of Ambulatory Surgery and the division chief of Ambulatory Anesthesia. She spends the majority of her clinical time at the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), a separate hospital-affiliated ambulatory surgery facility that has four state-of-the-art operating rooms.

An attending anesthesiologist, paired with either a resident or CRNA, provides all anesthetic care. We utilize a variety of anesthetic techniques from intravenous sedation to general anesthesia. There is special emphasis on regional anesthesia (peripheral nerve blockade) to optimize patient safety and comfort and facilitate early discharge.  After surgery, patients recover in the two-phase recovery area, where they are prepared for discharge.

The outpatient cases done are comprised of diverse procedures, performed on a broad patient population, by a wide array of surgical sub specialists. Anesthesia residents typically spend a minimum of three months during residency on this rotation. During this time they have the opportunity to perform a wide variety of regional blocks, in addition to honing the skills needed to perform monitored anesthesia care and general anesthesia. Residents will learn how to select which patients and procedures are appropriate for an outpatient setting. They will also be charged with  the important and challenging task of preparing these patients for home-ready discharge.  Issues such as pain control, nausea control and sedation level will be addressed.