What You Need to Know About Our Outpatient Surgery Center: The Blessing Difference

We can perform more than 90 percent of our outpatient surgeries as minimally invasive procedures. These techniques can reduce pain and recovery time.

We are committed to providing high-quality medical services to our community. At Blessing, our outpatient surgical teams offer you:

  • Multiple specialties: From hernias to knee arthroscopy, our skilled surgeons can perform many procedures on an outpatient basis. Our anesthesiologists, anesthetists and other members of the surgical teams have training to assist in specialized, complex procedures.

  • Complete facility: Blessing offers a fully equipped ambulatory surgical center with 3 operating rooms. Our teams use the latest surgical and imaging technologies to perform outpatient procedures.

  • Less waiting time: We schedule our surgeries to minimize wait times and maximize efficiency. Your wait time will be reasonable, and we will keep you informed throughout the process.

  • Patient safety: We do everything we can to make your surgery safe and your recovery as quick and painless as possible. That’s why we are a proud member of the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program® (ACS NSQIP) and the Illinois Surgical Quality Improvement Collaborative (ISQIC). These programs analyze our surgical data to ensure that we continue to provide the best surgical care possible.

  • Grade A hospital: Blessing earned its sixth consecutive grade A for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group. This organization analyzes safety data from hospitals across the country and compares outcomes. You know you are in safe hands at a top-rated hospital.

  • Convenient Hours of Operation: 

    Hours of operation for the Surgery Center are: 

    Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, for GI cases: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Outpatient Surgeries We Perform

Our experienced surgical teams offer a complete range of outpatient surgeries for a variety of conditions. Our outpatient procedures include:

  • Gynecologic: We perform several types of outpatient gynecological procedures, including:

    • Minimally invasive endometrial ablation (removal of the uterus lining to stop uterine bleeding)

    • Dilation and curettage surgery (procedure to minimize heavy menstrual bleeding)

  • Orthopedic: Our orthopedic surgeons repair joints including knees, shoulders and elbows. We have dedicated hand surgeons who exclusively treat injuries and conditions affecting the hands and fingers.

  • General: We perform a range of internal and general surgeries including:

    • Hernia repair

    • Biopsy (removal of small tissue samples to test for cancer)

    • Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) gallbladder removal

    • Hemorrhoid procedures

Blessing Surgery Center: What to Expect

We go the extra mile to provide a smooth, effective and safe procedure. During your treatment process, you can expect:

  • Preparation for success: The nurses at our prep clinic call you days before your procedure to explain what to expect and help you prepare. Read our patient checklist.

  • A warm welcome: When you arrive for surgery, our receptionist greets you and lets you know how long you can expect to wait. We give you a pager that buzzes to let you know when we are ready to take you to the pre-operation area. Our waiting area is bright and airy with comfortable seats. We have complimentary tea and coffee for family or friends who came with you.

  • Pre-operation area: A nurse helps you get changed for surgery in a semi-private bay (3-walled room with a privacy curtain). We will measure your vital signs, such as temperature and blood pressure, to make sure you are physically ready for surgery. We answer any questions you have and make sure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork.

  • Family-friendly approach: A family member or friend can stay with you in the pre-operation area until you are ready to go into the operating room. After your procedure, your family member or friend may join you once more in the recovery room. If you prefer, your family or friends can follow your progress from pre-op through surgery and recovery on a monitor in the waiting area. To protect your privacy, we use a patient code number, not your name, on this monitor.

  • Recovery: After your procedure, you begin your recovery in our recovery room. A nurse monitors your vital signs, assesses your pain levels and adjusts pain medications accordingly. Your nurse will go over your discharge instructions with you when you are ready to go home.

Experience The Illini Difference

We’re committed to providing high-quality, excellent care with a compassionate touch for people in our local communities. In our surgical services offered at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, you can expect:

  • Care that focuses on you: We tailor each surgical procedure to the individual’s needs. We get to know you personally beforehand and work with you to develop a plan that’s right for you.
  • Frequent communication: Our nurses will call you before your surgery to explain what to expect and help you prepare for surgery. Your surgeon and certified registered nurse anesthetist speak with you before and after surgery. If you wish, a nurse will keep your family informed of your progress throughout the process.
  • Teams working for you: Everyone on the surgical team, including surgeons, anesthesia staff, nurses and surgical technicians, has the power to speak up when they see room for improvement. This approach means improved safety for you, with the confidence that everyone is looking out for your well-being.

You can click here to learn more about surgical services available at Illini Community Hospital.

Contact Us

For more information about the Blessing Surgery Center, call (217) 223-1200.