Surgical Services and Outpatient Procedures

Same Day Surgery (SDS) is available for surgical procedures that generally do not require an overnight stay in the hospital. This service is designed to save the patient the expense and inconvenience of an overnight hospital stay. Following the procedure, the patient's condition is monitored in the SDS unit. Some procedures, however, may require patients to be admitted to a hospital room following surgery.

Pre-Admission Testing (PAT)
Before surgery, your doctor will want you to have certain tests such as laboratory work, chest- x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), etc. These tests may be done up to three (3) weeks before your surgery, but MUST BE DONE at least three (3) working days (Monday thru Friday) prior to your surgery so the reports can be reviewed by your doctor. Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) may be performed Monday thru Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.. If these hours are inconvenient, please discuss this with the PAT staff so we can meet your needs. Please call the PAT office: (201) 795-8768 to make an appointment for testing unless your doctor has already made the appointment for you. On the day of your PAT, please bring the paperwork your doctor gave you, a form of identification (driver's license) and insurance cards / claims forms.

Arrival Time
On the day BEFORE your surgery, we will call you by 8:00 p.m. to tell you what time to arrive at the hospital. If you do not receive a call, please call the Admitting Department: (201) 795-8260 for your arrival time. You will be asked to be at the hospital approximately 1 1/2 hours prior to your surgery. Please arrive on time. Every effort is made to adhere to the surgical schedule. However, emergencies and scheduling changes can occur, and your surgery may be delayed or may occur earlier than scheduled. Arriving on time can help avoid unnecessary delays.

New Surgical Procedures

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Dr. John Rundback, pictured left, Director of Interventional Radiology at Christ Hospital, prepares to perform a minimally-invasive procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), an alternative to surgical hysterectomy.

GE — Navigation and Visualization —InstaTrak:
New in ENT Surgery, (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and available at Christ Hospital, is a surgical navigation system for endoscopic sinus surgery. This system provides electromagnetic tracking which shows the surgeon performing the procedure the exact location of the instruments, resulting in more precise surgery.

New Neuro — Spinal Surgical Services:
Neurological and spinal surgical services are available at Christ Hospital to treat disorders such as brain and spine tumors, cerebro-vascular anomalies, hydrocephalus, head and spine trauma, as well as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Surgical treatment of peripheral nerve pathology such as carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy and peroneal neuropathy are also performed. These services are available through The Back Institute, a professional group comprised of neurological and orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spinal care. These surgeons practice the latest cutting edge techniques including Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement, percutaneous discetomy, endoscopic carpal tunnel release and the new X-Stop procedure. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 908.688.1999.

Sentinel Node Breast Biopsies:
A minimally invasive breast procedure that starts in x-ray department to assist the staging of breast cancer to patients who have previously undergone diagnostic testing.

Pain Management:
We offer the following services for Headache, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Cancer Pain, AIDS Related Pain Syndrome, Sickle Cell Crisis Pain, etc: Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection, Lumbar Blocks, Sacro Iliac Joint Injection, Trigger Point Injection, Radio Frequency Facet Nerve, etc.

*Some other procedures done at Christ Hospital are all types of laparoscopy procedures for gynecology / kidney / chest / gallbladder / appendix.

*Prostate seed implants for treatment of prostate cancer (urology and radiology services) are also an offered procedure.