Preparing for Surgery

ROSI DIRECTIONS TO SURGERY  

DIRECTIONS TO SURGERY

The Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute is located at 4500 Brockton Avenue, Suite 105, Riverside, CA 92501. Next, to the Riverside Community Hospital.

You will enter the main lobby and continue past the elevators, the last door on your right where registration will be completed. Patient parking is in the main multi-level parking structure in designated patient parking spaces.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

As you're preparing for your surgery, it is perfectly normal to feel anxious and have questions. Rest assured that our team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare members understand and want you to be fully prepared for this experience.

The information in this booklet is designed to answer your questions about preparing for surgery and what to expect on the day of your procedure.

Please contact the Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute at

(951) 784 - 4088 if you have any questions.

PRE – REGISTRATION

Following the scheduling of your surgery, you will be contacted by the Admitting Department to begin the pre-registration process.

The staff will ask you for the following information:

1. Your personal contact information

2. Emergency contact information

3. Insurance information – group name and number, policy number

4. Address and telephone number

5. The name, address, and phone number of your Primary Care Physician and your Surgeon for the upcoming procedure

6. Date of procedure

7. A list of all medications you are taking, their dosage, and frequency

8. A list of your medical conditions, disease history, and any surgical procedures you have ever had

9. The name of the surgeon who will be performing your upcoming procedure you will receive a phone call from one of our nurses two to three days before your scheduled surgery. The purpose of this phone call is to reduce delays or cancellations on the day of surgery.

During your pre-admission phone call, the nurse will ask you questions about your medical history and provide you with the time of arrival for the day of your surgery. The nurse will also provide education and instruction for the day of surgery and what to expect after surgery.

Any paperwork or orders from your physician, insurance card(s), photo ID, A list of surgeries and/or hospitalizations, any recent testing, all medications in original bottles, including over-the-counter medications, herbals/ supplements, and an advance directive (if you have one), such as a living will or durable power of attorney, so it can be added to your medical record.

If you have not been contacted within 24 hours of your surgery, please call the Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute, at 951-784-4088. Please have a list of your medications, allergies, legal ID, and insurance cards available.

PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

There are several things that you need to do to assure that your surgical experience is safe, timely, and without delay. These preoperative instructions are very important.

DO NOT eat or drink anything after 12:00 pm/Midnight the night before your surgery/procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your admitting physician or anesthesiologist; This includes water, coffee, gum, mints, or candy. Failure to follow the instructions may result in a delay or cancellation of surgery. You may brush your teeth without swallowing water.

If you have been instructed by your admitting physician or anesthesiologist to take medication by mouth the morning of admission, please swallow it with the smallest amount of water possible.

If you use inhalers, bring them with you and take them to surgery. Please review all your medications with your surgeon to determine if any doses should be delayed before surgery, including blood pressure and heart medication. Diabetes medications should NOT be taken on the day of the procedure. Follow any instructions you have been given regarding discontinuation of aspirin, anti-inflammatory medicines, herbal medicines, or other blood-thinning medications, such as Coumadin.

You will be asked to remove dentures, partial plates, contact lenses, or any other prosthesis before surgery including but not limited to eyeglasses and hearing aids. To prevent injury and/or accidental loss, you may not wear these items to surgery. Bring appropriate storage containers and/or solutions for prosthetic devices.

Wear casual, loose-fitting clothes and take into consideration the possibility of returning home with bulky dressings, a cast, or splint. Do not wear makeup, nail polish, or hairpins. Remove jewelry including all body piercings. Children may wear pajamas and bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket. To prevent the loss, leave all valuables at home. Do not bring jewelry and cash.

In general, patients under the age of eighteen (18) MUST have a parent or legal guardian sign the consent form and remain throughout the surgery. Adult age patients that are unable to sign for themselves must have their legal guardian or next of kin accompany them. You MUST have a responsible, licensed adult drive you home. It is also recommended that you have a responsible adult spend the night with you.

Notify your surgeon before surgery if you experience a change in your physical condition, such as a cold, flu, bladder infection, or fever. Smoking markedly increases your risk of certain surgical complications. It is optimal to stop smoking six weeks and mandatory 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after your surgery. Riverside Community Hospital Campus as part of a statewide hospital initiative, is a tobacco/smoke-free campus. This means that you and your family/visitors are not permitted to smoke or use tobacco products inside or anywhere outside on the hospital property. Please discuss with your physician if you would like a nicotine substitute product.

DAY OF SURGERY – WHAT TO EXPECT WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF SURGERY

Before surgery, a nurse will complete a physical assessment including taking your vital signs and completing any preoperative workup that is required by your physician. Please have a list of current medications and the date and time of the last dose taken, previous surgeries, allergies, and other pertinent health information. At this time, the nurse, along with our anesthesiology department, will answer any questions you may have about your surgery.

Your surgeon may also visit with you.

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia services are needed so your physician can perform the operation or procedure. The anesthesiologist will visit you to discuss the type of anesthesia he or she plans to use. The anesthetic technique to be used is determined by many factors including physical condition, the type of procedure the doctor is to perform, his or her preference, as well as the patient's desire, so please feel free to ask questions.

PATIENT SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY

Patient Identification: To help ensure correct patient identification, your armband will be checked. You will be asked to verify your name and the procedure you have performed. This information will be asked frequently by all care providers. This is for your safety. Markings the Surgical Site: Correct surgical site is very important. Before your surgery, the physician will mark your surgical site if it involves laterality, (ex. Right or Left), spine levels, etc.

This is another step that we take to ensure your safety.

Time Out: Before incision, the entire operating room team including a surgeon, anesthesia, nurses, surgical assistant, and surgical anesthesiologist will stop everything and re-verify your identification, observe surgical site marking, and re-verify the surgical site marking and surgical procedure.

FAMILY AND VISITORS

While you are in surgery, your family and visitors may wait in the Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute main lobby. For your convenience, the lobby has free WI-FI access and cable TV.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute Staff is concerned about your health and well-being. We have developed a pain management program to ensure you receive adequate relief from pain.

The goal of pain management is to control the pain.

When the pain is controlled, the patient becomes a partner in the care and comfort. Pain is discomfort that alerts you to the fact something is wrong with your body. Pain results from any condition that stimulates sensors in your body that detect pain.

Unrelieved pain may cause suffering which can lead to other health problems and delay in recovery. Keeping your pain under control is important to your well-being. It will help you eat better, sleep better, move around more easily, and visit with your family and friends.

We will ask you to rate your pain using two types of pain scales. One is a score of 0 – 10 with 10 being the worst pain. The other scale is the Wong-Baker FACES Scale.

If you routinely take pain medications for chronic pain, please tell your surgeon or anesthesiologist, and your pre-op nurse.

AFTER SURGERY

After surgery, you will be taken to the post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The surgeon may call or visit your family to let them know how you are doing. In the recovery room, noises may sound louder than usual. You may have blurred vision, chills, nausea, or a dry mouth. A nurse will check your dressing and blood pressure often. You may have an IV or other tubes. Your surgery site may hurt or burn and pain medication may be given to you.

Each patient’s reaction to anesthesia is a bit different, so recovery times vary. If you require post-surgery hospitalization, you will be transferred when your condition allows. If you are released to recover at home, you will be monitored until you feel safe to leave. Your physician will determine when it is appropriate for you to de discharged. When the physician says that you may be eating, you will probably start on liquids. Later your diet will be advanced as ordered by the physician. While in PACU, you will be assessed until you meet all criteria for discharge to go home.

Upon discharge, you will receive written instructions for your care at home. Once you meet all criteria for discharge, you will be sent home. As a reminder, anesthesia can cause drowsiness and amnesia for up to 24 hours after surgery. Therefore, for your safety, you will not be allowed to drive home after surgery or for the next 24 – 48 hours depending on the type of anesthesia used. Your safety is of utmost importance to us, so be sure to make arrangements for an adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery. Therefore, we require your driver to remain at the Surgery Center until you are discharged.

PREVENTION OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION

Healthcare-associated infections may occur as a result of care received in other health care facilities.

At Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute infection prevention is a high priority. We use many practices known to prevent and reduce the risk of infections. Sometimes infections may occur as a result of the treatment. We encourage our patients to speak up and ask a question about the care they receive. As a patient or visitor, there are steps you can take to prevent the spread of infection. This guide shows you how to help prevent surgical site infection.

What is a Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?

A surgical site infection is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Most patients who have surgery do not develop an infection.

Some of the common symptoms are redness and pain around the area where you had surgery, drainage of cloudy fluid from your surgical wound, and fever.

What are some of the things that hospitals and surgery centers are doing to Prevent Surgical Site Infections?

To prevent SSIs, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers: Clean their hands and arms up to their elbows with an antiseptic agent just before surgery. All healthcare providers should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based rub before and after contact with you. Special antibiotics may be given before and after for a limited duration.

The surgical team wears mask, cap, gown, and gloves during surgery. Clean the skin at the site of the surgery with a special soap that kills germs.

What can you do to help prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)?

To help decrease your risk of getting a post-operative infection, it is recommended that you shower for 3 days (morning and evening) and apply antiseptic wash (Hibiscus) and then place a thin coat of mupirocin antiviral in your ear canal, nostrils, and umbilicus (tummy button).

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Your surgery fee will be based on the time you spend in surgery and recovery rooms, as well as the supplies and services required to care for you. In addition to your bill, you will be billed by all physicians who cared for you, such as surgeons and anesthesiologists. A portion of your bill may be due at the time of service (i.e. co-pay, co-insurance, or deductibles.) We will ask for a deposit unless your insurance documentation notates otherwise.

A representative from our Front Office Staff will contact you to obtain all the necessary registration information.

The hospital participates in many insurance plans and managed care contracts. If you have any questions regarding financing your surgery, please call 951-686-7600.

FALL SAFETY

Falls happen because of a combination of factors. You can help to reduce your risk of a fall by doing the following: Sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes before you stand. Look straight ahead as you stand. Wear non-slip shoes or non-skid footwear. The surgery center provides nonslip socks. Wear glasses or hearing aids if you have them. Pull the emergency cord while in the bathroom if you need assistance. THANK YOU For selecting Riverside Outpatient Surgical Institute for your surgical care. Our experienced staff will strive to provide you with high-quality care in a safe and pleasant environment. If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, please let us know. After your discharge, you may receive a call to participate in a patient satisfaction survey. Please let us know how you feel about your experience and what we can do improve our care.