Patient Instructions
As soon as your surgery is scheduled, our staff begins communicating with you and your physician/surgeon.
Before Surgery
Your physician will discuss your surgery with you and schedule it with the surgery center. A nurse from the center will call you one to two days before surgery and give you your arrival time and pre-operative instructions. If you haven't been contacted by 2 p.m. on the day prior to surgery, please call the surgery center before 2 p.m.
Make sure you bring the following items with you:
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Photo Identification
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Health insurance card
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A list of your medications
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Any devices given to your by your physician for use after surgery
Night Before Surgery
In order to prepare yourself for your procedure, we ask that you please follow these instructions. Failure to do so could result in postponement or cancellation of your procedure.
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Your physician or the surgery center nurse will instruct you as to what time you are to stop eating and drinking prior to your procedure.
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Do not smoke, chew tobacco or consume alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to your procedure.
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If you take medication for any condition, ask your physician or the surgery center nurse whether or not to take this medication.
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If there is any possibility you are pregnant, notify your physician or the surgery center nurse.
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Notify your physician of any health changes, such as a cold, sore throat, flu, etc.
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Bathe or shower the morning of your procedure. You may brush your teeth provided nothing is swallowed.
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing that will easily fit over a dressing. Do not wear make-up, nail polish or jewelry.
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Leave all valuables at home as we cannot accept responsibility for them.
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You will not be allowed to drive home. You must arrange for transportation.
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A parent or legal guardian must accompany any minor.
Registration and Day of Surgery
Arrive promptly at the scheduled time. This will allow adequate time for all necessary registration procedures. Please register at the front desk upon arrival and bring your insurance and identification cards. Upon arrival you will be asked to change into a gown and slippers which we provide, and to remove contact lenses, dentures and any prosthesis.
Anesthesia
Our anesthetists are highly qualified in all aspects of outpatient anesthesia and will be providing anesthesia services. Your anesthetist will meet with you before surgery and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to talk to the anesthetist about the medications you are currently taking, even over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.
Types of Anesthesia
The type of anesthesia that you will have will be determined by your anesthetist, surgeon and yourself.
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General Anesthesia – You will be completely asleep during the procedure.
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Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia – The lower part of your body will be without sensation.
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Regional Anesthesia – A specific region of your body will be without sensation.
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Local Anesthesia – The area directly around the site will be without sensation.
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Sedation – "Relaxing" medications are used.
After Your Outpatient Procedure
After your procedure you will be moved to the recovery area where you will be closely monitored until you are ready to go home. The procedure and recovery time will vary. When you are fully awake your family will be able to join you in the recovery area. You may leave when you are comfortably taking fluids and steady on your feet. It is perfectly normal to feel discomfort in the area of your procedure. You may also experience some drowsiness or dizziness depending on the kind of anesthesia you received. If your physician prescribed pain medication we will give you the prescription to fill at your pharmacy.
When you are ready for discharge, your nurse will provide a list of home instructions according to our physician orders.
At Home After Surgery
After you stay with us, plan to rest in the comfort of your home. Please have someone stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure. If you have small children, you may want to make child care arrangements while you are resting. During this time do not drive or operate heave machinery, consume alcohol, make legal decisions or take any medications not prescribed to you. You should ask your physician when to resume taking your regularly prescribed medications. Notify your physician of pain not relieved by prescribed pain medication, of a temperature above 101 degrees or for any changes you notice as outlined in your specific discharge instructions. If you are unable to reach your physician, you may call Gritman Medical Center Emergency Department at (208) 882-4511 or (800) 526-2273.
Instructions for Children
Our staff will discuss special feeding instructions with you during the call before your child's surgery. Make sure you bring an extra set of clothes, diapers, your child's favorite blanket or toy. The child's parent or legal guardian must remain in the building the entire time the child is at the center. When their procedure is completed, you will be allowed to be with them in the recovery area.