/ Surgical Optimization Center

Spectrum Health Surgical Optimization Center

The Spectrum Health Surgical Optimization Center helps to prepare your patients and their surgical care team before surgery. The goal of “optimizing” the health of patients prior to surgery is to minimize the risk of postoperative complications, decrease length of stay in the hospital, reduce unplanned readmissions and enhance overall health and the surgical experience. By optimizing health prior to surgery this may also prevent delays or cancellation of surgery. It is also provides a surgical care plan for the patient, surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical team, and primary care provider. Optimization also includes patient education to help answer questions and reduce anxiety about upcoming procedures.

We can accommodate same-day visits for urgent referrals.

Referrals

Phone

Call 616.774.0276 (Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital (part of Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals))

If you are unsure whether or not a patient qualifies to be seen, call us for a chart review.

Fax

Fax a referral form: 616.774.5204 (Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital (part of Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals))

Epic

Enter referral code REF943 Surgical Optimization Center. In the notes section include:

Date of surgery
Referring surgeon’s name
Surgical procedure
Type of anesthesia

Spectrum Health location of surgery
Required orders: Lab orders, EKG, other testing
Other pertinent patient information

EpicCare Link

Services offered

Laboratory services
EKG
MRSA testing

Medication reconciliation and management
Patient education
Care management

Other information

Patients meeting any of the following criteria should be considered for an appointment prior to their elective surgery at Spectrum Health. Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class of 2+, 3 or 4 are considered a candidate for optimization.

Coronary artery disease: History of MI, heart bypass surgery, cardiac stents, PTCA or angina
Cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardiac device (ICD)
Atrial fibrillation and/or other cardiac arrhythmias
Cardiac valve replacement/disease, rheumatic fever or heart murmur
Congestive heart failure: Current history or symptoms, or cardiomyopathy
Peripheral vascular disease and/or stents
Diabetes
Obesity with BMI greater than or equal to 40
Malnutrition
History of difficult intubation or other known anesthesia complications
Lung problems: Pulmonary hypertension, COPD, severe/uncontrolled asthma, recent pneumonia, chronic dyspnea or hypoxemia
Obstructive sleep apnea
Anemia: Iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, pernicious anemia

Kidney disease or kidney failure
Liver disease: Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver
Stroke or TIA Blood clots in the legs or lungs (DVT, PE), or other blood clotting disorders
Blood thinning medications: Heparin, Lovenox, warfarin, Plavix, Xaralto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, aspirin, etc.
Chronic or debilitating disease requiring recent hospitalization
Chronic immunosuppression due to medications
Chronic steroid use
Polypharmacy: Medication management and instruction prior to and day of surgery
Chronic narcotic use
Neurological diseases: Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, myasthenia gravis
Personal or family problems with anesthesia: Malignant hyperthermia or severe nausea/vomiting

Patient testing is done per anesthesia guidelines for Spectrum Health. We will arrange testing and/or consultations if necessary. The completed comprehensive evaluation and testing will be sent to the surgeon and the primary care physician prior to the surgery. Any concerns prior to the patient’s surgery will be communicated directly with the surgeon and/or their office.

ASA classifications

These classifications are a subjective assessment of a patient's overall health that is based on five classes:

Class 1: Patient is a completely healthy fit patient.
Class 2: Patient has mild systemic disease (may be appropriate to be seen for optimization)
Class 3: Patient has severe systemic disease that is not incapacitating (appropriate for optimization)
Class 4: Patient has incapacitating disease that is a constant threat to life (appropriate for optimization)
Class 5: A moribund patient who is not expected to live 24 hours with or without surgery