Perioperative Services for Outpatient Surgery at MidState Medical Center

Please read the following information very carefully.

CHECK LIST

  • Do not eat after midnight.
  • Only water can be taken after midnight up to two hours prior to your arrival at the hospital.
  • If you are contacted about insurance co-payment or deductions, please bring exact amount in the form of a check, cash, or credit card.
  • Bring in your insurance card.
  • Leave all jewelry at home.
  • Remove body piercings.
  • Wear comfortable, casual clothing and shoes.
  • Avoid using cosmetics, hair spray, cologne, or nail polish.
  • You must provide a ride home.
  • If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you.
  • Pediatric patients, bring a small toy or blanket.

PREADMISSION EVALUATION
In preparation for your surgery, we will need information from you to help us plan your care.

  • You will be contacted by our Preadmission Center before your surgery.
  • A health history interview will be obtained by a nurse. This may be done either by appointment or by telephone.

The following information will be important for us to know:

  • Allergies to food (such as eggs and shellfish), medications, latex tape, dyes, soap, and your reaction to them.
  • Current prescription medications, over the counter meds, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements with dosages and time of administration.
  • Chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes, acid reflux.
  • Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.
  • Prior surgical procedures and anesthesia experiences

Please let us know if you have any seeing, hearing, or reading problems, as well as any special religious, cultural, or personal needs.

PRE-OP PREPARATION
Preoperative tests such as EKG, lab work, pregnancy test and x-rays may be necessary depending on your surgical procedure and your medical history. Testing may be done at the Preadmission Center or your PCP's office.

  • Please stop smoking or cut down as much as possible 1-2 weeks before surgery.
  • Stop herbal supplements 2 weeks before surgery. They may prolong bleeding or interfere with anesthesia medications.
  • Please consult your surgeon regarding instructions if you are on blood thinners.
  • Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.
  • Prior surgical procedures and anesthesia experiences

DAY BEFORE SURGERY
The surgicenter will contact you between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to notify you of your arrival time.

  • You will be told to arrive between 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours before your surgery.
  • If you have not been called by 6:00 p.m. the day before your surgery, call the surgicenter at 203.694.8383.
  • Do not eat after midnight the evening before your surgery.
  • ONLY WATER can be taken after midnight up until 2 hours before your arrival time.
  • You will be instructed by the Preadmission nurse about which of your regular medications to take the day of the surgery.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY
Enter hospital at the Rybeck Medical Office Building Entrance and proceed to the surgicenter registration desk.

  • Do not bring any valuables.
  • If applicable, wear hearing aids and dentures; bring in your eyeglasses and case.
  • No gum chewing, candy, or throat lozenges.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
  • Do not wear any jewelry, body piercings, makeup, nail polish, or contact lenses.
  • Once in the surgicenter, your nurse will review what you can expect before and after your surgery.
  • An intravenous will be started.
  • An anesthesia care provider will meet with you to discuss your anesthesia and address any concerns.
  • Once you are settled in the surgicenter, a family member may stay with you up until the time you are escorted to the operating room.

SAFETY
In order to provide you with a safe surgical experience

  • You will be asked by multiple staff members to identify yourself, your procedure, and your surgical side if applicable.
  • You may be asked to identify your surgical side with a band-aid.
  • Your surgeon will mark your surgical side with his/her initial.
  • Arrangements must be made for you to be driven home by a responsible adult or your surgery will be cancelled.
  • Your safety is our utmost concern.

AFTER SURGERY
The length of your recovery room stay will depend on the type of anesthesia and the amount of medication you have received.

  • Visitors are not allowed in the recovery room.

UPON RETURNING TO THE SURGICENTER

  • Your stay in the surgicenter will be brief.
  • It is normal to feel sleepy and tired after surgery.
  • Once you are stable, we will send you home to relax and recover in comfort.
  • Discharge instructions will be reviewed with you by your nurse.
  • Because you have received anesthesia you must not drive, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for 24 hours.

RECOVERY
You can expect to have some degree of pain after surgery.

  • Inform your nurse if you are feeling discomfort.
  • We use a pain scale in our hospital. You will be asked to describe your pain on a scale of 0-10 and we will medicate you appropriately.
  • Once you are stable, we will send you home to relax and recover in comfort.
  • At home, continue to take your pain meds as directed.
  • Medication may not be effective if you wait too long.

FOLLOW-UP CARE
Once home, follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and nurse.

  • Arrange for your first follow-up visit with your surgeon.

Surgicenter

Notes to Family & Friends:

Ask how long the surgery will take.

Ask if and where you should wait.

You will be informed how the patient is doing after the surgery.

A pager will be offered by the surgicenter for family members staying on hospital grounds.

If at any time you need information or assistance, do not hesitate to ask the staff at the hospital desk.