The Day of Surgery/Procedure

Preparation for the Day of Your Procedure/Surgery
To reduce the risk of complications during surgery, insure your comfort, and prevent cancellation of your procedure, please follow the guidelines below. If you believe it will be difficult for us to reach you, or you have not heard from us prior to your surgery, please call (925) 935-6700.

• Do not eat or drink anything including water after midnight the evening before your procedure (including gum or mints). This precaution must be strictly observed or your procedure may be cancelled. If your anesthesiologist gives you different instructions please follow those orders.
• Arrive promptly at the time scheduled. This will allow adequate time for all necessary admission procedures.
• Wear loose fitting clothing. You may take a tub bath or shower at home prior to arrival. Do not use any lotions, creams, powders, or makeup.
• Bring eyeglasses and/or hearing aids, if you rely on them. Remove contact lenses. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
• Bring a list of your medications, including dosage and how many times a day you take them. Bring a list of any allergies you may have.
• Minors (patients under 18) are to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Legal guardians must provide proof of guardianship for medical treatment.

Medications
Routine oral medications should be taken with a sip of water on the day of surgery. Please take heart medications and seizure medications. If you are diabetic on either oral medications or Insulin, please consult your physician for instructions for the day of surgery. If you take Coumadin, your surgeon will give you instructions for taking that medication ont he day of your surgery. Bring any inhaler you may use with you to the surgery center. Notify your physician if you are taking herbs, vitamins, or diet supplements and follow the instructions given to you.

Pregnancy
If you suspect you may be pregnant, please notify your surgeon immediately. Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing fetus.

If Your Child is Having Surgery
Surgery may be frightening to your child. We encourage parents to stay with their child in the preoperative area before their surgery. Parents will be allowed to join their child as soon as possible following their surgery.

Preoperative Holding Area
You will be escorted to a changing area and will be asked to remove all clothing and jewelry, and a hospital gown will be given to you. You will then wait on a gurney or sit in a recliner. The nurse will take vital signs, do a nursing assessment, answer any questions and provide any instructions you may need at this time. If you require the care of an anesthesiologist they will speak with you before surgery in the Preoperative area. The anesthesiologist will review your history, discuss the anesthesia plan, and answer all questions related to the type of anesthesia you will receive. Patients who are having only local anesthesia will not have an anesthesiologist on their case. After preparation for surgery is complete, a family member may sit with you until time for your surgery. Delays are rare but can happen. We appreciate your patience.

Your Surgery/Procedure
When it is time for your procedure, clinical staff will escort you by gurney to the operating room. Once in the operating room, you will either stay on the gurney or be assisted to another bed for your procedure. You will be monitored throughout your procedure and staff will ensure your privacy.

Recovery Room
Once your procedure is complete, you will be transferred to our Recovery Room for observation. The type of anesthesia you receive will determine your length of stay and overall postoperative course. The nursing staff will continuously monitor your vial signs and do all the can to keep you comfortable.

You and your escort will be given printed discharge instructions for your care at home. The staff will review the instructions that will include activity restrictions, diet, pain medicine, and follow up with your physician, and any adverse signs to watch for and to report to your surgeon. A prescription may or may not be given to you in the Recovery Room depending on your surgeon's orders. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home.

Depending on the type of anesthesia you need, your stay in the Recovery Room can range from 15 minutes to a few hours. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home. Our goal is to get you safely home as soon as possible where you'll be the most comfortable resting and recovering.

Overnight Care
Your surgeon may feel you need to stay overnight at the surgical pavilion. The following information applies to our patients who will be staying overnight:

• You will stay in a private recovery room and may be transferred to a hospital bed for the night.
• Family members may visit until 9 p.m. No visitors or family members are allowed to stay overnight unless the patient is a minor.
• One Registered Nurse and a Certified Nurse Assistant are with you throughout your stay.
• Bring a book and/or a video. A VCR/DVD is available.
• You will be discharged between 6a.m. and 7a.m.
• You will be provided with postoperative instructions prior to discharge

Financial Arrangements
On the day of admission, please bring your insurance card(s). Any deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, or portions of your procedure not covered by insurance will be due at the time of admission. You will be billed separately for additional services., such as surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist, or radiologist. If you are unable to meet the payment requirements or if you have any questions regarding your financial obligation, please contact our business office at (925) 280-3813.

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