Surgery
Surgery is a branch of medicine that involves treating diseases or injuries by adjusting or removing organs, tissues or bones. Surgery includes both necessary procedures, like cardiac surgery, or elective procedures, such as joint replacement.
Surgical care in Highlands, North Carolina
Through diagnosis, surgery and recovery, your health is always our top priority.
At Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, our surgeons are dedicated to providing you with high-quality, comprehensive surgical care. We also offer a swing bed program, which provides additional care and rehabilitation for patients who need extra support before going home after a prolonged illness, stroke or surgery.
Surgical services we offer
Our surgeons are trained to perform a variety of surgical procedures using the most up-to-date, evidence-based techniques.
General surgery procedures
Our hospital's board-certified general surgeons are trained to provide care at every step of your health journey, from diagnosis to postoperative recovery. They treat conditions related to the following areas of the body:
- Anus
- Appendix
- Bladder
- Breast, skin and soft tissue
- Colon
- Esophagus
- Gallbladder
- Head and neck
- Kidney
- Large intestine
- Liver
- Ovaries
- Pancreas
- Rectum
- Small intestine
- Spleen
- Stomach
- Thyroid
- Testes
- Ureter
- Urethra
- Vascular system
Other procedures performed by our surgeons
In addition to general surgery, our surgeons are trained to perform a number of additional procedures, including:
- Cancer surgery
- Colonoscopies
- Hand surgery
Minimally invasive surgery
We know recovering from surgery can sometimes be a lengthy process. That's why our surgeons take the least-invasive approach to your procedures.
Minimally invasive surgeries, such as robotic and laparoscopic surgeries, require fewer and smaller incisions, often resulting in shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times and reduced scarring.
Swing bed program
Recovering from a prolonged illness, surgery or injury can be challenging for patients and their families. While your doctor may feel you are ready to leave a traditional hospital setting, you may not be quite ready to go home. In this situation, a swing bed admission may be the right choice for you or your family. Many people who have had orthopedic surgery, a stroke or a prolonged hospital stay can benefit from swing bed services.
Swing bed admission
A swing bed admission is a short-term stay in a hospital where there is an emphasis on rehabilitation and clinical stabilization. Swing bed services are not available in all hospitals. Many rural hospitals are allowed to provide these services by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) since rehabilitation hospitals are not located close to home.
The team at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital understands these recovery situations and is prepared to help. We’re committed to caring for you with compassion, respect and clear communication. Our goal is to help you build strength and confidence so you can return home as soon as it’s safe.
To ask about a swing bed stay, call our case management team at (828) 526-1489.
What to expect from our swing bed program
Our swing bed program provides hospital-based recovery and rehabilitation services, including:
- 24/7 hospital-grade nursing care
- A therapy gym featuring:
- A functioning kitchen and simulated laundry room for daily living skills
- Magic Table interactive game console for motor and cognitive skills
- Private rehab treatment rooms
- State-of-the-art exercise equipment
- Access to hospital services such as:
- Laboratory services
- Medical imaging
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Registered nurses
- Respiratory therapists
- Consultation with an onsite registered dietitian
- Daily visits from Highlands-Cashiers Hospital staff who coordinate closely with your physician
- Nurses with specialized training in infusion and IV therapy, wound care and rehabilitation
- Onsite medical staff offering a higher level of communication and oversight than typical nursing homebased rehab
Your individualized swing bed plan may also include:
- Activities as appropriate
- IV therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Pharmacy consultation
- Physical therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Specialized wound care from a certified wound care nurse
- Social services
- Speech therapy