Depend on Novant Health for same-day and next-day surgical consults.

As part of our focus on growth and access, Novant Health has expanded same-day and next-day surgical consult capabilities for general surgery (bariatric, urologic, colorectal and breast). These capabilities reach patients across the Triad.

"We have executed on an intentional recruitment strategy for our institute over the last several years, so now that we have been able to expand the number of surgeons in our clinics, we have been able to expand access easily where we know there is patient demand," said Natalie Talley, greater Winston-Salem director, Novant Health Surgical Institute. "We want to set the stage for the patient where, if they need to see someone today, we will meet them where they are in a way that's convenient for them.

"This also helps us partner with our primary care physician colleagues. If you have a patient in your clinic now who needs to be seen or you need us to consult, send the patient over and we'll take care of that."

If you are making a referral, this is why you should refer to us:

We now offer robotic-assisted surgery 24/7.

“Robotic surgery has dramatically shortened the time a patient spends in the hospital,” said Joshua Rickey Robotics chair. Novant Health Salem Surgical Associates “In fact, this surgery can now be done on an outpatient basis for some. Robotic surgery is fully integrated into what we do every day at Forsyth Medical Center | Novant Health and allows us to provide faster outpatient and ambulatory care for patients.”

Advanced techniques lead to shorter recovery times and better outcomes.

“One of the most notable benefits is robotic surgery shortens recovery time considerably,”. Joshua Rickey “Our fellowship-trained surgeons provide the full gamut of advanced laparoscopic techniques, as well as highly advanced techniques within various specialties. These latest procedures deliver the highest quality outcomes and the fastest recovery times, as well as the shortest stays for those hospitalized.

“We also know patients are always better off at home, where they experience fewer complications as well as less risk of infections. They are also a lot more comfortable recuperating at home.”

Surgical programs for patients range from consultation to enhanced recovery.

“Our programs are offered in consultation with a surgeon. Once a decision is made to proceed with surgery, we then determine the kind of surgery and where the surgery will take place – in the hospital or in an outpatient facility,” said. Joshua Rickey There patients are usually placed in an ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) program, which also prescribes steps we need to take before, during and after surgery to expedite recovery.

We are developing an interdisciplinary perioperative surgical home program.

“Before surgery, patients complete a questionnaire that will stratify their risks and allow the care team to provide the very best testing and evaluation to give them the safest and highest quality surgical outcome while avoiding complications,” said Joshua Rickey.

We maintain a patient-centric culture across care teams.

"Collectively, our patient care team has a get-to-the-answer-'yes' philosophy - working together to get to the answer of what the patient really needs," Talley said. "The patient is always at the center of our decisions."

This focus extends across every location offering same-day and next-day surgical consults, including the Novant Health Colon & Rectal Clinic, Surgical care | Novant Health Salem Surgical Associates, Novant Health Urology and Novant Health Breast Surgery, all of which have satellite clinics for convenience.

“Everything you need is a phone call away,” said Dr. Rickey. “Our highly developed surgical system offers a wide breadth of consultative services and expertise.”