Pre-Operative Instructions
Our center is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare while reducing costs. Surgical and diagnostic procedures are performed in safe, clean surroundings by experienced, caring staff. Anesthesia is given in a manner that allows patients to return to their homes the same day.
The more involved and informed you are, the safer and more pleasant this experience will be.
What to Expect
We will:
- Provide a safe place and caring staff for your procedure
- Call you from our Business Office regarding financial obligations, if applicable
- Call you with instructions and confirm the time for you to arrive at the Center. This will be done by our nursing staff.
- Call a day or two after your procedure to check on you. The nurses will not have any results of your tests or lab work. Your doctor provides these to you. Without your prior written approval, please understand that we cannot leave messages on your answering machine.
- Send you home with a responsible adult to rest and recover
Preparing for your Procedure
- Arrange to be driven and accompanied home by a responsible adult who can remain with you for 24 hours. THIS IS REQUIRED OF ALL PATIENTS. You may take a cab, as long as you have another adult (family member, friend, etc.) with you.
- Tell your doctor about any medications you take including aspirin, blood thinners, herbal supplements, vitamins, or diabetic medications. Ask if you should continue taking them prior to or immediately following your surgery.
- Notify your doctor as soon as possible, if you cannot keep your appointment.
- No food or drink, including water, after midnight prior to your surgery or procedure.
Special Health Concerns
- If you are diabetic, please follow your doctor’s instructions about your diabetic medication before coming to the Center the day of your surgery/procedure.
- If you have a pacemaker or internal defibrillator, please notify your doctor.
- If you have asthma or use an inhaler, please bring your inhaler with you the day of surgery.
- Please notify your doctor and our Center about any known allergies you may have to any medications, as well as to dyes, rubber, latex, soy, or eggs.
- If you have ever had symptoms of what may be a latex allergy, please notify your doctor and our Center. These symptoms include rash, watery eyes, or difficulty breathing after using rubber gloves, latex condoms, blowing up a balloon, or any diagnostic procedures or dental visits.
- Please let your doctor or our Center know if you have special communication needs. We will attempt to meet your needs whenever possible.
- Please notify us if you have any religious or cultural issues that would affect your health care or treatment.
Children’s Surgery
- Notify your child’s surgeon of any changes in his/her physical condition that might cause cancellation or rescheduling surgery, for example, a cold, fever, or persistent cough.
- Let your child bring a favorite toy or blanket on the day of surgery.
- For safety reasons, only two adults are allowed with the child in the pre-operative holding area. One adult must remain with the child at all times until the child is moved to the operating room. If you have other children with you, they will not be allowed in the pre-operative holding area. It is your responsibility to have someone else supervise your other children at all times.
- Have one adult tend to the child in the car on the way home and another adult drive.
