Patient Information

 

PRE-OPERATIVE PROCEDURE SCHEDULING & TESTING

• Your doctor will schedule your procedure with our office staff.

• Your doctor will order any tests that may need to be performed. These may include blood tests, an EKG and chest x-ray. In some cases your insurance plan (such as an HMO) may require you to have your testing done at your primary care doctor’s office or a designated lab site.

• Please follow your doctor’s instructions regarding pre-operative testing.

• A nurse will call you prior to your procedure to collect medical history information and provide you with specific instructions for you to follow regarding your procedure. The nurse will also answer any questions you may have and instruct you regarding your arrival time on the day of the procedure.

BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

• If you experience any health changes such as a cold, cough, or fever please call your doctor immediately. If necessary, your procedure may be canceled and rescheduled as soon as possible.

• Please make arrangements in advance for a responsible adult to take you home after your procedure. You will not be permitted to leave the Surgery Center alone if you have had any sedation or anesthesia. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home. Your procedure could be cancelled if you have not made these arrangements. If you cannot find suitable transportation, call the Surgical Center to schedule a complementary door-to-door transportation service.

THE EVENING BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

• Do not eat any solid food or liquids after 12:00 midnight.
• Solid foods include: candy, gum
• Do not drink any liquids, even water after midnight unless instructed otherwise.
• Reduce or stop smoking.
• CAUTION: Failure to follow instructions may put your health at risk and cause severe complications.

THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE

• Take any medications you were instructed to take with a small sip of water.
• Do not chew gum or eat breath mints on the morning of your procedure.
• Dress in loose, comfortable clothing.
• If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses please bring a case in which to store them.
• Please leave your jewelry and other valuables at home. Remove all jewelry, including all rings and wedding bands.
• Bring your medical insurance cards and referral forms.
• Please plan ahead to allow enough travel time so you will not be late. Keep in mind that a time has been reserved for your procedure.

AT THE SURGICAL CENTER

• On the day of your procedure come to the Surgical Center of Burlington County located at 225 Sunset Rd, Willingboro, NJ 08046. For directions click here.

• Following the registration process a nurse will prepare you for your procedure. You will be asked to change into a patient gown. You may be asked to possibly remove any dentures, contact lenses, wigs, hairpins, and jewelry.

• You may be given written instructions about diet, activity, medications and follow-up care.

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF ANESTHESIA

• The Anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss your anesthesia. The type of anesthesia that you receive will be based on your needs.

• General: You will receive medicine that will make you sleep and unable to feel pain.

• MAC Anesthesia: “MAC” stands for monitored anesthesia care. Local or regional anesthesia will be used. You will also be given a medicine through an intravenous line (IV) that will make you very drowsy and comfortable during the procedure.

• Regional Anesthesia: This is a method of numbing an area of the body by injecting medicine near a nerve. You will be given IV medicine that will make you calm and very drowsy. Examples of regional anesthesia include epidural and spinal anesthesia, arm blocks and ankle blocks.

• Local Anesthesia: The doctor will inject medicine that will temporarily numb the surgical area.

IN THE OPERATING ROOM

• A nurse will greet you in the pre-operative area and escort you to the operating room via walking, wheelchair or stretcher.

• At this time, an intravenous line (IV) for fluids and medications will be started. Most often the IV will be placed in the back of the hand after it is numbed with local anesthetic.

• From the pre-operative area you will be taken into the operating room. It may seem very bright, with large lights and equipment. If the room seems cold, ask the nurse to give you a warm blanket. The nurses and doctors will explain what they are doing, but you should always feel free to ask questions.

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

• If you receive local anesthesia without any sedation you will go directly to the post-operative area following your procedure.

• If you received any sedation or anesthesia you will be transported to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) after your surgery. In the PACU your temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure will be monitored frequently.

• To assist you in your recovery, nurses will ask you to take deep breaths to expand your lungs. You will be asked to move your legs and arms to check how awake you are; this will also promote blood flow to your legs. If you are in pain tell the nurse so that you can receive some pain relief medication when it is safe to do so.

• After your initial recovery phase you will be transferred to the post-operative area. The nurse will continue to monitor your vital signs.

DISCHARGE AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

• A responsible adult must take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure. If these arrangements are not made your surgery may be canceled.

• After discharge you may feel sleepy, slightly dizzy or nauseated. These side effects of surgery are possible and can last up to 24 hours following your procedure.

• Eat a light diet for the first 24 hours following your procedure and follow any specific home care instructions you receive.

• For your safety, you must wait for clearance from your doctor to resume the following:

  • Driving
  • Operating any equipment
  • Signing any important papers
  • Drinking any alcoholic beverages
  • Taking any medicine not prescribed or acknowledged by your doctor.

 
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