PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY

 

Scheduling:

Your surgeon’s office will schedule your surgery with the Center.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so through your surgeon’s office.

Insurance:

It is very important that your present your surgeon’s office with all your insurance cards, and that you immediately inform them of any changes. Your most current insurance information is needed to schedule with the Center and in order to obtain any necessary preauthorization for your procedure. If you have questions about any applicable co-pay, co-insurance or deductible amounts you may incur for out-patient surgery, please call the Member Services Department listed on your insurance card.

Preoperative Testing:

Your surgeon will provide you with a packet of instructions including orders for any preoperative testing such as blood work or EKG. You will also need a physical to be medically cleared for your surgery.  Please contact your family doctor (PCP) immediately upon scheduling surgery to make arrangements for your testing.  We request that all test results be at the Center one week prior to your date of surgery. 

Preoperative Telephone Call – Nursing Assessment:

About a week before your procedure, you will receive a telephone call from a Registered Nurse from the Center.  She will conduct a preoperative patient assessment, asking you questions about your health history, past surgeries, allergies and medications.  She will also explain and answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your surgery. It is not possible to assign your surgical time during this call; however, if you have any special requests or transportation needs, please inform us and we will make every attempt to accommodate you.

 

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

Your Surgical Time:

The Center will call you the day before your surgery to give you your arrival time. There are many factors to consider when making the surgical schedule.  Please understand that every attempt was made to honor your special requests.

Diet Instructions:

Generally our patients may not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before surgery – including chewing gum, chewing tobacco, breath mints, etc.  This timeframe, however, may be adjusted according to your time of surgery.  If applicable, the nurse will specifically review this with you.

 

 

DAY OF SURGERY

What to Bring/Leave at Home/Wear:

• Bring your insurance cards;
• Photo ID (Drivers License);
• On occasion you may be asked to bring your home medication with you, they must be in the original container.  If you are on insulin or use an inhaler, please bring these with you.  If you test your blood sugar with a glucometer, also bring the glucometer along with its supplies;
• Do not wear any makeup, nail polish, perfume or aftershave;
• Wear a loose-fitting, comfortable outfit as previously instructed;
• Please limit the number of people who accompany you to the Center to one responsible adult who will drive you home after your procedure;
• If someone other than the patient is authorized to sign a consent for surgery, please bring documentation of this right such as a Power of Attorney or proof of guardianship;
• Bring any Advance Directive or Living Will in the event an emergency or unforeseen patient condition requiring medical care beyond the capabilities of the Center occurs requiring an admission to a hospital for treatment;
• Jewelry, money, purse/wallet and other valuables should be left a home;
• Tobacco, firearms and other weapons are not permitted within the Center.

Your Arrival:

Parking is conveniently located in the front lot of the building.  A sheltered area for patient drop-off and pick-up is provided.  Enter through the sliding door of the main entrance.  The Surgery Center is located on the first floor.  Please sign in with the receptionist upon your arrival who will confirm your registration and insurance information.

Preoperative Preparation:

A nurse will escort you to the Center’s preoperative care area. You will be asked to sign consent forms. You may be asked to change into a gown.  A nurse will conduct a physical assessment by taking your temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.  A member of the Center’s anesthesia department will conduct an anesthesia evaluation.  An IV will be started and any preoperative medications begun.  A family member may wait with you until your surgery.

During Surgery:

The amount of time in surgery, of course, depends on your particular procedure.  Your family member will return to the waiting area once you are taken into the operating room.  We ask that family members please inform the receptionist if they are leaving the building for any reason and provide us with a means of contact.  The waiting room provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate, magazines and a courtesy phone.  Please let us know if there is any way we can make the wait more comfortable.

After Surgery:

After surgery, you will return to the recovery room where your vital signs are monitored. Your family member will join you at this time. The nursing staff will give you instructions, both verbally and in writing. Please ask questions if you do not completely understand any medication instructions, wound care or activity restrictions.  After you are evaluated by anesthesia, and determined to be in satisfactory condition, you will be discharged.

Follow-Up:

If you have any questions, concerns or problems after you leave the Center, please call your surgeon.

A nurse from our Center will attempt to contact you within 72 hours of your surgery to make sure you are recovering comfortably.

A Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire will be given to you at the time of discharge.  Please complete it and return it to us during your postoperative visit.  We value your opinions and appreciate any comments or suggestions. OR… click here to complete the Patient Satisfaction Survey online.