Imperial Plastic Surgery Reopens after Suspension

Imperial Plastic Surgery's Center for Ambulatory Surgery (CAS) has been allowed to reopen following its second suspension in two years, plastic surgeon Dr. Joel Singer announced this week.

The CAS was given permission to reopen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health's Facility Licensing Inspection Section on July 31. The facility can once again offer surgical procedures in Westport.

The recent suspension was the result of Superstorm Sandy, which flooded the building at 32 Imperial Avenue and damaged the elevator mechanical system, the heating and air conditioning system, the electrical system (including the fire alarm), and more, according a statement from CAS.

The center's first suspension in 2011 resulted in $29,000 in fines for alleged dirty equipment and poor record keeping. 

In March 2013, State Department of Public Health  (DPH) officials made a "surprise" inspection -- while repairs were still going on -- and noted various "deficiencies," according to the statement.

The center's reopening is a result of a three-month long cooperative effort between the medical and nursing staff at CAS, the building owner at 32 Imperial Avenue, and DPH, CAS officials said. Singer agreed in June to a temporary license suspension until the facility's deficiencies were repaired. 

After consultation with state officials, corrective measures were put into place. Systems were repaired and inspected and certified so that areas of concern were attended to, according to CAS.  

New additions to the nursing staff with special expertise in administrative operating room procedures, comprehensive staff in-service training, additional new equipment, and new infection control policies and procedures have also been implemented.

“Throughout my career I have always been concerned about patient safety and comfort, and I have many patients that would attest to my concern and caring for their well-being," Singer said in the statement.

Singer is the former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Norwalk Hospital, was the first plastic surgeon in Connecticut to perform liposuction and published the first digital re-plantation in Connecticut, according to the statement. Singer, a longtime Westport resident, opened his facility in 1977 and has performed more than 9,000 surgical procedures at CAS without incident.