The Cumberland Healthcare Surgical Department is dedicated to making your surgical experience a comfortable and personal experience. Our highly trained staff provides care and service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for both inpatient and outpatient surgical services. We are continually adding new specialists and new technology to bring you the highest level of care available. We follow standards for best practices that are established nationally for surgery, anesthesia, and sterilization of equipment.

Anesthesia – The Anesthesia Department at Cumberland Healthcare is staffed with two Board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Stefanie Rinehardt, CRNA, and Donald Fullerton, CRNA. The department provides anesthesia care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for scheduled and emergency procedures.

Inpatient/Outpatient Surgery – Most of our patients can use our 3-bay Same Day Surgery unit. With the use of new technology, many of our surgical patients can go home within a few hours instead of several days. Some of our surgical patients are overnight stay/inpatient.

Preoperative Surgical Plan – Once your surgery is scheduled, you will need a physical, lab work, and EKG depending on what you are having done. Please consult your provider regarding any medications you are on and any vitamins, herbs, or over-the-counter drugs you may be taking. You may need to stop taking some medications several days to weeks before your surgery.

• A staff member will call you the day before your surgery to confirm your surgery and time of arrival.
• The night before your surgery, you may eat a light supper.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew after midnight unless otherwise instructed.
• There may be some medication you will be instructed to take the morning of your surgery with a small sip of water.
• If you cannot keep your surgical appointment, please contact your doctor and the hospital surgical department as soon as possible.
• If you develop a cold, sore throat, fever, or other illness, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Day of Surgery

• Plan to arrive at Cumberland Healthcare as directed, which will be 1-2 hours before surgery.
• Upon arrival, register at the hospital front desk just inside the main entrance. After registration, you will be escorted to the Same Day Surgery waiting area.
• Before coming to the hospital, shower the evening before and the morning of your surgery with antibacterial soap. Do not apply powders or creams to your surgical site area.
• You may not wear contact lenses during surgery, so plan on wearing glasses as needed.
• Do not wear make-up, nail polish, or jewelry.
• Remember “nothing to eat, drink, smoke or chew after midnight” unless instructed otherwise by your doctor; this includes water.

You may brush your teeth – but don’t swallow any water.

• Please bring a list of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medication.
• Be sure to have someone available to drive you home; you will not be allowed to drive home.
  If you smoke – stop smoking as many weeks or days before surgery as possible. Do not smoke at least 24 hours before and 24 hours after surgery. Cumberland Healthcare is a smoke-free facility.
• Please inform your nurse if you have any skin irritation, ingrown hairs, or other skin irritation in your planned surgical site area.

After Surgery

• You will be escorted to the recovery room. The length of time is dependent upon the type of anesthesia used.
• Your surgeon will talk with your family in the waiting area
• If your surgery is inpatient – your family may return to your hospital room after talking to the surgeon.
• If your surgery is outpatient – your family may come to sit with you when you return to the Same Day Unit.
• While in Same-Day Surgery, you will have your blood pressure taken, and your dressings will be checked.
• If you are feeling any discomfort, your surgeon will have medication ordered to relieve the discomfort.
• You will be given water, coffee, juice, and a muffin if you desire.

At Discharge

• Your nurse will review your post-operative instructions with you and your family.
• Any follow-up appointments will be made if necessary.
• Your postoperative prescriptions will be called to the pharmacy of your choice, or a paper prescription will be given to the patient directly to have filled.
• You will not be allowed to drive home, so be sure you have a ride available.
• A nurse will call you the day after surgery to see how you feel and answer any questions you may have.
• Call the hospital if you have questions or concerns that you feel need to be addressed immediately.
• To contact the Cumberland Healthcare Surgery Department, call 715-822-7370.

Cumberland Healthcare welcomes our newest provider, Amy Bair, MD.  Dr. Bair is a general surgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of various areas involving the breast, skin, chest, and abdomen. Dr. Bair practices open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic techniques to treat gallbladder abnormalities, stomach, intestine/colon, and hernias.

Dr. Bair received her doctorate from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. She will be seeing patients at Cumberland Healthcare Medical Clinic. To schedule an appointment, call 715-822-7500  

Some of her professional interests include medical education and rural surgery. She teaches medical students, nursing students, and allied health professionals. Her personal interests include spending time with family and pets, community involvement, spending time exploring the outdoors, water activities, cooking, reading, and traveling.   

“One of the things I enjoy most about being a doctor is listening to my patients and making an impact on their lives,” Dr. Bair explained. “I put my patients first and try always to do what’s best for them. “I’ve been impressed with the teamwork and values at Cumberland Healthcare.”