Once you’ve been diagnosed, you’ll need to find Chiari malformation treatment centers that specializes in your specific condition. Some people have difficulty finding facilities that work well for them. Use this short guide to help you choose an option that can treat your condition and make you feel comfortable.
Finding Chiari Malformation Treatment Centers
You’ll have to find multiple New Jersey Chiari doctors before you can start comparing them. You have several reliable ways to discover facilities that work with Chiari malformation patients.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth can play a crucial role in identifying a reliable Chiari malformation surgeon near you. If you belong to a support group, talk to other members of the group about their experiences. They should have information that points you toward the area’s most trusted doctors. Just as important, they can share negative experiences to help you avoid doctors with poor bedside manner or poor surgical outcomes.
It also makes sense for you to reach out to your family members and friends. They may not have had a condition like Chiari malformation, but they may know other people who do.
Your Insurance Provider
Your insurance provider should also have information that will help you find Chiari doctors or Chiari malformation treatment centers. Insurance companies often keep lists of specialists, like neurosurgeons, so they can pair patients with the right doctors. Your insurance company can also help you look for an in-network surgeon. In many cases, choosing an in-network Chiari malformation surgeon can help you save money on your treatments.
The Internet
You can use the internet to learn more about Chiari specialists in the New Jersey area. Search engines and online communities can provide a wealth of information about Chiari malformation surgeons who work near you. You can also connect with people online to learn more about their experiences. This is an important decision, so you can never have too much information.
What to Look for in a Chiari Treatment Facility
Once you find several Chiari malformation treatment centers, you should compare and contrast them to make sure you choose an option that matches your needs. This will take a bit of research. Luckily, many medical centers have websites that provide much of the information that you need to make a decision.
Access to Minimally Invasive Tools
Chiari malformation surgeons use a variety of surgical techniques to correct the problems caused by Chiari malformation. Not all of them, however, have the tools and training to perform minimally invasive procedures.
Minimally invasive options utilize smaller incisions and less tissue dissection. By choosing a doctor who has been trained to use these techniques, you can typically experience the following benefits:
- Smaller incision
- Reduced blood loss
- No need for grafting (avoiding need for separate donor site or implantation of foreign material/tissue of animal origin)
- Watertight closure
- Shorter surgical time
- Reduced risk of postoperative complications (cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudomeningocele, meningitis, brainstem sag)
- Less postoperative scar formation (which may reduce chance of postsurgical recurrence)
- Less pain medication use post-op
- Quicker post surgical recovery
If you are a candidate for minimally invasive Chiari surgery, then you should look for a treatment facility that uses it.
Cleanliness
Undergoing any type of surgery puts you at a higher risk of developing an infection. A clean surgical theater helps lower that risk. Visit the treatment facility to make sure its cleanliness is up to par. You should also ask about the staff’s cleaning procedures. Even one dirty hand could contribute to an infection, so you want a facility that requires everyone to prepare before procedures.
Location
Most patients stay in the hospital for one to three days after undergoing treatments for Chiari malformation. After you’re released from the hospital, you will spend several weeks recovering at home.
It’s a good idea to choose a treatment facility that’s near your home. The less traveling you do, the easier it is to recover. Your doctor may also want to track your recovery progress in person, so it’s more convenient to choose a facility that’s easy to reach.
Patient Resources
Some Chiari malformation treatment centers have resources available to help you, as a patient, experience an easier time before, during and after your treatment. Not every practice will have such resources available, but if you find one that does, don’t underestimate the value of these perks.
One such resource is a benefits specialist or insurance assistant, whose job includes helping you better understand your own insurance coverage and how it will apply to your upcoming treatment, as well as other related costs that are easily overlooked. Navigating the fine print of your insurance policy can be difficult and frustrating and the assistance of an expert can save you time and headaches and prevent unexpected bills in the mail following treatment.
Another fantastic resource you may be able to find is a Chiari malformation treatment center that employs nurses or physician extenders to be on call, often via a hotline phone number, to answer any questions you may have about your symptoms, procedure or recovery. Being able to discuss your questions with a nurse over the phone may be able to save you a trip to the office and it can give you peace of mind knowing someone is always there to provide advice should you have questions during your recovery.
To find out what patient resources a Chiari malformation treatment center has available, try finding the information on the practice’s website, or give the office a call. They will be able to help you determine what, if any, extra resources they offer and what benefit they may provide.
How to Choose a Chiari Malformation Specialist
A lot goes into choosing a Chiari malformation surgeon. Finding a specialist who has been trained to perform your operation is the most important part of the decision-making process.
Qualifications and Certifications
Look for Chiari specialists who have extensive experience working with patients like you. You should also ask about additional qualifications and certifications that prove a doctor knows how to perform the surgery.
Some common certifications for New Jersey Chiari doctors include FAANS (Fellow, American Association of Neurological Surgeons), FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) and FAAP (Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics). Doctors with these credentials have earned the respect of their colleagues and will know how to perform your surgery expertly.
Bedside Manner
A doctor’s bedside manner also matters. It’s important to choose a doctor who can make you feel comfortable before and after your surgery. After all, surgery is an emotional, as well as a physical, experience.
You’ll have to meet doctors in person to decide whether you like their personalities. If you don’t feel comfortable, then you should move on to your next option. Patients have different needs, so you shouldn’t feel shy about expressing what you want. No doctor is perfect for every patient. Professionals understand that, so they won’t take a dismissal personally.
Take Advantage of Online Resources
Online research is a quick and easy way to learn about any product or service you may be interested in and Chiari malformation specialists are no exception. Taking a few moments to search online can turn up reviews written by current and past patients, as well as ratings-based databases like Healthgrades.com and Vitals.com.
As you are reading reviews written by other patients, keep an eye out for keywords that are indicative of values that are important to you. Words like “understanding,” “experienced” and “compassionate” are some good examples, but take a few minutes to think about what you are looking for in a Chiari malformation treatment specialist.
Understanding Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage can be tricky and one of the first steps is determining whether or not the Chiari malformation specialist you are considering accepts your insurance. One place to look is on the doctor’s website, but a better solution is simply reaching out to an expert who can help answer your questions.
If the practice where your specialist works has a benefits assistant, he or she will be able to assist you. A benefits assistant can help you determine whether the practice is within your insurance company’s network, what procedures may be covered and other insurance-related questions.
If the practice does not have a benefits assistant, you can still reach out to an insurance representative at your insurance company, who will help you figure out the answers to your questions. It is helpful to have all of the practice’s information, as well as any diagnosis and scheduled procedure codes to determine absolute coverage. However, even before you get to that point, the representative should be able to help you figure out if the practice is in or out of network.
Finding a Chiari malformation treatment center in New Jersey may take a little effort, but the work will give you a better experience. Never feel afraid to ask questions about a facility’s qualifications and procedures. Reliable medical centers will answer your questions to make sure you have a positive experience.
