For Patients
Before Your Procedure
A nurse from our center will call you 24 to 48 hours prior to your scheduled procedure to review your medical history, medications (including over the counter and herbal remedies) and other pertinent information about your health, as well as to answer any questions you may have. Please notify the nurse if you take blood thinners or any medication for diabetes so the nurse can appropriately advise you. If, for some reason, we are unable to reach you, this information will be gathered on the day of your procedure.
Also prior to your scheduled procedure, the nurse will provide you with instructions regarding any necessary dietary, fluid or medication restrictions, including insulin, heart or high blood pressure medication, blood thinners and over-the-counter anti-inflamatory medications. In general, fasting is required after midnight the night before your visit, therefore do not eat or drink anything (including water) or use any form of tobacco products for 8 hours before your scheduled appointment. Such activities may interfere with the anesthetic and often results in nausea during recovery.
Prior to your visit, you will receive a call from our business office to confirm your scheduled procedure, to verify your insurance information and to let you know of any deductibles and co-payments that might be due on the day of your procedure. If you are under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and we must have legal documents to verify that information on file at our facility.
Be sure to make arrangements for someone to take you home following your procedure. Because of the use of sedation, we require that you be taken home by a family member or friend and not to drive on your own. We cannot discharge any patient via taxi.
Finally, if you develop a cold, cough, fever or skin infection that might interfere with the surgical area, contact your physician immediately.
If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please call (410) 356-0300.
Day of Procedure
Please arrive at the center when you were instructed, which will be about one hour before your procedure time. Upon your arrival, check in with the receptionist to register and complete the required paperwork.
Wear casual, loose fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes to the facility. Bring your insurance card, driver’s license and method of payment, as well as any other necessary items such as eyeglasses. Avoid wearing contact lenses, jewelry, nail polish and other cosmetics, and leave personal items or valuables at home.
Following the completion of your paperwork, you will be escorted to one of seven pre-operative admissions bays, where you will put on a gown, robe and slippers that we provide and have your vital signs taken. Your anesthesiologist will review your medical record and blood tests, explain what will happen and answer your questions. In most cases, an intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to administer medication during the procedure.
You will wait in this area until the operating room or procedure room in which your procedure is scheduled is ready for you. Please note that patients are not taken in order of arrival, but are scheduled in specially equipped operating rooms for specific types of procedures. It is not unusual for a patient who arrives after you to be taken into surgery before you.
When your surgeon and the operating room team are ready for you, you will be escorted to the operating room by a nurse. She will confirm with you the type of surgery you will have and review some of the questions you have already been asked. When ready, the anesthesia staff will attach the necessary monitoring apparatus so that we can monitor you throughout your procedure. In addition, our operating rooms are equipped to handle many types of surgeries and surgical emergencies just like a hospital. However, that doesn’t mean that all of the equipment you see is related to your surgery.
After Your Procedure
After your procedure you will be taken to one of seven recovery beds. Your vital signs will be closely monitored by medical personnel until a significant portion of the medication has worn off. Also, when you first wake up, you may have an oxygen mask covering your mouth and nose. Do not try to remove this yourself as a nurse will determine the appropriate time for removal based upon your level of recovery. Should it be necessary, your doctor will order appropriate medication to keep you comfortable.
When fully recovered, the family is called back to speak with doctor regarding the procedure, and receive specific verbal and written discharge instructions, such as when to resume your usual diet and medications. At that time, you will be allowed to be taken home. Our covered discharge area is located at the front of the building.
Patients exit out of an adjacent door to the entrance area. Because of the use of sedation, we require that you be taken home by a family member of friend and not to drive on your own. We cannot discharge any patient via taxi.
Recovery time varies for each patient depending on the response to anesthesia. You may experience some drowsiness or dizziness after surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia you received. Most patients are discharged after anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
Once you return home, you will receive a follow-up phone call from us to see how you’re doing. Please let us know any concerns or questions you might have at that time as we’ll be happy to assist.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS
Before the Patient’s Visit
You can best help your family member or friend by offering emotional support. A diagnostic exam or surgery, along with anesthesia and results of these procedures, are often stressful than the actual events, which is why emotional support is helpful. You can also help by making sure that all pre-operative instructions are followed.
During the Visit
You may stay with the patient in the pre-op area as he or she is prepared for the procedure. With exception of parents of pediatric patients, family or friends are not allowed in the procedure rooms or operating rooms.
You may wait in our reception area or you may leave a phone number where you can be reached. However, we prefer that someone remain at the center during the patient's procedure in case we need to consult with a family member. It’s also a good idea to bring something to read or do while you wait.
After the Procedure
When the procedure or surgery is finished, the surgeon or nurse will either call you at a phone number where you can be reached or speak to you in the reception area.
The receptionist also maintains contact with the clinical staff and will keep you informed. To inquire about your family member or friend, you may call (410) 356-0300.
All patients need time to recover from the effects of anesthesia. You may see your family member or friend once they are in the discharge area. One to two family members or friends may visit at a time, depending on available space.
While there, remember that patients are usually tired and sleepy. Often times it is reassuring for the patient just to know that you are quietly sitting by their side. Some patients can rest with family members at their side, others feel badly that they are making their family members wait and thus try to rush their recovery. In some cases, the best thing you can do for the patient is to briefly visit and then return to the waiting area until the patient feels ready to go home.
The recovery time may be anywhere from one to several hours. Before patients may go home, they must be relatively comfortable, be able to drink fluids, walk without feeling dizzy and, in some cases, empty their bladder. Each person will recover at his or her own pace.
Upon discharge, the patient will receive written discharge instructions about how to take care of themselves at home. The nurse will review these with you and the patient. Please listen carefully as the patient may not remember the instructions because of medications they have been given or because they are still sleepy. If you have questions, please make sure they are all answered before you leave.
Once you get the patient home, the most important thing is to allow him or her to rest. They should make no plans for the rest of that day. Depending on whether or not the procedure was diagnostic or surgical, some patients may feel tired for a few days and may not regain their usual energy level for several days.
The patient is the best judge of how much activity he or she can do. The surgeon will give guidelines about limitations of activities such as exercise and heavy lifting. Sometimes patients need help with cooking, housekeeping chores and child care for a period of time after surgery.
Expect the patient to have some discomfort. You can encourage the patient to take their pain medication as prescribed. Be sure that all prescription pain medication is taken with food. Alcohol must be avoided for 24 hours and/or while taking prescription pain medications. If the discomfort is not relieved by the prescribed pain medication or if they are having side effects from the medication, the surgeon should be called.
A diminished appetite is normal after surgery. Fluids should be encouraged as tolerated. To start with we recommend clear fluids (ginger ale, apple juice, cranberry juice, soup broth) and light foods (soup, toast, crackers, noodles). Caffeinated drinks should be limited, as they can be dehydrating. When the patient feels ready they may return to a regular diet.
Finally, the surgeon is always available 24 hours a day through his or her office or answering service. If you have trouble reaching the doctor, please feel free to contact us Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (410) 356-0300.
