Patient Information about Concurrent Surgery or Procedures
What is a Concurrent Surgery or Procedure?
Your care team is led and supervised by your “Responsible Physician”, this is the primary physician
responsible for your procedure.
Your Responsible Physician will not perform a concurrent surgery or procedure which means your
Responsible Physician will not perform the critical portions of a surgery or procedure on another patient
in another room at the same time as your surgery, except in an emergency situation.

Our History as a Teaching Hospital
At Virginia Mason we have a long tradition as a teaching hospital where medical residents and fellows
may be involved in your care as part of their education.
Teaching hospitals are on the forefront of medical advancements and discoveries. Studies show that
patients receiving care at teaching institutions have better outcomes.

Our Promise
At Virginia Mason teams work together to deliver high quality care to our patients.

What to Expect for Your Surgery or Procedure
Your Responsible Physician will be in the operating room or procedure room for the critical portions of
your procedure.
Your Responsible Physician may not be in the room with your care team for noncritical portions of your
procedure.
Your Responsible Physician will be immediately available to return to the room and assist your care
team if needed.
Your Responsible Physician will ensure that the team performing noncritical portions is qualified and
capable of performing their part.
In addition to the Responsible Physician, your care team may include the following: anesthesiologist,
certified registered nurse anesthetist, operating room or procedure room nurse, surgical technologist,
residents or medical students, and a physician assistant.
Your Responsible Physician may begin to be involved in the care of another patient after the critical
portions of your procedure are completed. In this situation, another physician is identified in advance to
assist the care team in the rare circumstance in which help is needed.
Please ask questions or share concerns with your surgical or procedural team at any time.