Preparing For Surgery
A warm, friendly and professional staff is here to serve you. We have world-renowned surgeons combined with a full staff of ACLS-certified nurses ensuring that you receive the care you deserve.
Our surgical suites are fully equipped with state of the art technology that allows for us to provide both outpatient surgeries as well as elective inpatient surgeries.
Your Admission
It is important that you arrive on time for your pre-scheduled appointment for admission. You will be asked to sign a consent form for admission to the hospital and for medical treatment. An identification bracelet for your wrist will also be prepared.
A nurse will interview you by asking questions about your general condition, diet, allergies, personal habits, and other factors that will apply specifically to the nursing care you will receive.
Federal regulations require hospital personnel to inquire as to the presence of an Advance Directive. This includes a living will and durable power of attorney. Information on Advance Directives is available to every patient upon admission.
What you should EXPECT before your surgery?
A staff member will contact you prior to your visit.
This will ensure that your pre-operative instructions and tests are complete and your financial matters are addressed before surgery. If a child is having surgery, you may arrange a tour for you and your child to help ease fears you may both have.
Our staff will keep your family and friends informed of your progress.
We understand the anxiety family and friends will have while you are having your procedure. We will make every effort to keep them informed of your progress and when they will be able to re-join you after the procedure.
Our staff will make every effort to see that you have a timely visit.
We realize that time is a precious commodity for you, your family and your surgeon. We are constantly measuring and monitoring our performance and processes to improve your experience.
We will handle your financial matters properly and professionally.
We will work with your insurance company to expedite your claim for the charges from your procedure. Please remember that physician fees (Anesthesia, Pathology, Surgeon, and Radiologist) are separate from the hospital's fees.
Our staff will provide you high quality, professional service.
We believe that providing high quality care and service consistently requires a constant focus on improving the processes that we use every day.
What should you do PRIOR to surgery?
Arrange for an adult to drive you home and someone to be with you.
For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive after surgery when any sedation, nerve block or general anesthetic has been administered.
Organize your health insurance cards.
Please make sure you have a copy of your Photo ID and Insurance Card(s). Our staff will need to verify and make a copy of the card(s) when you check-in on the day of your surgery.
Follow the EAT or DRINK limitations.
Your physician or a surgery staff member will provide you instructions for the limitations of food and drink your particular procedure will require. Please follow these instructions. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not follow the required food and drink limitations.
Follow the Medications requirements.
All patients taking any medications will be provided instructions for the medication requirements by your physician or a staff member. Please be prepared to list all medications you are taking and bring any with you (e.g., inhaler, insulin, blood pressure medicines) that you may need during your stay.
What you should EXPECT the DAY OF your surgery?
Our staff will check you in when you arrive at the Hospital.
Our admission process is very quick since we have obtained most of your information before you arrived. This final check allows us to verify all of your key information, so we can better serve you. You may expect a short wait before you are taken back to the pre-operative area due to your surgeon's schedule.
A pre-operative nurse will escort you into the pre-operative area.
Our nurse will wait for you to change your clothes and store them until you are ready to go home.
Our staff will begin your pre-operative procedures.
A nurse will conduct a pre-operative assessment that will include taking your vital signs. The nurse may also start an IV if it is required for your procedure.
Your family may stay with you in the pre-operative area after your nurse completes the pre-operative procedures.
We believe family members or friends can assist in reducing your anxiety about the procedure. If you would like a member of your family or friend to sit with you prior to your procedure, inform the nurse. Please limit visitors in the pre-operative area to 2 at a time.
Your anesthesia provider will speak with you in the pre-operative area.
The anesthesia provider will explain the procedure you will be having and review all the pre-operative information that the nurses have collected.
What should you DO the day of your surgery?
Plan to arrive promptly at the scheduled time.
Your prompt arrival will allow adequate time for all the necessary admission procedures and help us keep things moving along for other patients and families. Please remember to bring your insurance card.
Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
Even though we provide a safe environment, it is in your best interest to leave your valuables at home.
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
For your comfort we encourage you to wear clothing that can easily be removed. A button front shirt is usually best. If you are having shoulder surgery, please keep in mind that you may not be able to raise your arm following your procedure. Please avoid wearing nail polish and cosmetics. Leave contact lenses at home or bring your lens case with you.
Bring personal care items for children.
Young children having surgery like to have a stuffed animal or security blanket with them for added reassurance. If the patient is an infant, remember to bring diapers and a bottle or sippy cup if they can not drink from a cup. The hospital will have basic drinks, juices and snacks available, but if your child has a specific drink or snack they like, please bring it with you on the day of surgery.
Do not Smoke.
Smoking may interfere with the anesthetic and frequently produces nausea during the recovery period. Use of tobacco products are prohibited on Physicians Surgical Hospitals properties.
Notify your physician if you think you may be pregnant.
Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to your developing baby.
What you should EXPECT AFTER your surgery has been performed?
Our nurses in our fully equipped recovery room will monitor you.
After your surgery is completed, you will be moved to the post anesthesia care unit where our nurses will monitor your recovery progress. During this time the anesthesia provider and your surgeon will also check on you.
Your surgeon will speak to your family/friends waiting on you.
Your surgeon will inform your family/friends of your status and the outcome of the procedure.
Your family may join you in the "step down unit" or Post Operative Discharge (POD).
After your initial stage of recovery, our staff will escort your family into the POD. You will still be sleepy, but you may want the comfort of a familiar face.
You will be given post-operative instructions before you go home.
Your recovery care nurse will provide you and your family member post-operative instructions regarding diet, rest, and medications since you may still be sleepy when it is time for you to go home. In the event of any difficulty after you leave, call your surgeon or his/her answering service.
What should you DO AFTER your surgery?
Follow your post-operative instructions given to you at the hospital.
Your post-operative instructions are provided to facilitate your recovery process. We encourage you to follow these instructions as they were given to you.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.
For your own safety, do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after receiving a general anesthetic or while taking oral pain medications.
Do not operate equipment or sign important papers for 24 hours.
It is normal to feel drowsy after anesthesia. We recommend that you avoid driving, operating equipment or signing important documents for 24 hours after your surgery.
Staff members will follow-up with you to see how you are doing.
We will telephone you after you have gone home to make sure you are doing well. If you have any questions or concerns please let our staff member know.