Thank You for Choosing the Center for Spine Surgery
Preparations
Our team of medical professionals understands that caring for your health means taking the time to listen to your concerns and help you relax as much as possible. Please read the following information to help us familiarize you with our center and provide answers to many of your questions.
Before Your Procedure
Prior Notifications
You will be given verbal and written information prior to your procedure, including documents about:
- Patient Rights and Responsibilities
- Notice of Privacy
- Physician Ownership Disclosure
- Policy on Advance Directives
Before your procedure, you will receive a phone call from our staff to evaluate your readiness and give you instructions for your procedure.
One, Two Weeks Prior
- You may be asked to stop blood thinning medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Check with your primary care or prescribing physician about how long you should avoid these medications prior to your procedure. You may be ad-vised to stop vitamins and herbal supplements as well. It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, vitamins and herbal supplements.
- Tell your doctor if you experience any changes in your physical condition, such as having a cold, fever or flu-like symptoms or any cuts, scrapes or rashes on or near the procedure site.
Day Before
- Do not drink alcohol as this may affect your procedure. Ask a responsible adult companion (a friend or a family member) to drive you to and from the facility and stay with you after you return home.
- If you have power of attorney for the person receiving services, you must bring a copy of the current legal document with you.
- A surgery center staff member will call you before your procedure to inform you of the date, time of procedure and required arrival time to our center. The time of arrival may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Night Before
Guidelines for eating and drinking before surgery:
- Be sure to follow these food and liquid restrictions, unless you have been instructed differently by the surgery center staff.
- You may have clear liquids, such as water, pulp free juice, Gatorade, tea and black coffee up to 2 hours prior to scheduled arrival time.
- No solid food 8 hours prior to your arrival time.
There may be unique situations (ex: afternoon surgery) whereby the nothing by mouth guidelines will be altered based on the surgical situation.
Morning Of
- Personal Belongings: Do not bring
valuables/expensive items with you. - Bring a list of all medications and supplements you are currently taking. Be sure to write the name, dose, how often and reason for taking.
- BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD, PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, PAYMENT AND ADVANCE DIRECTIVES (IF YOU HAVE ONE).
Personal care for all procedures:
- You may shower and wash your hair. Do not shave the operative site. Do not mark the operative or non-operative site in any way. Your surgeon will mark the site. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Wear secure footwear such as sneakers or rubber-soled flat shoes. Nail polish/artificial nails do not need to be removed.
After Your Procedure
Post Procedure
- You will be monitored and cared for by our Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses immediately after your procedure.
- Your recovery time will vary depending on your procedure and type of anesthesia used. You will be discharged from the center once your doctor determines that it’s safe for you to go home.
- You and your responsible adult companion or care provider will be given comprehensive discharge instructions. Please follow the restrictions ordered by your doctor while you are recovering at home.
- Our nurse will call you the day after your procedure to check on your progress.
- Contact your doctor if you experience severe pain or complications requiring immediate attention following your procedure.
- If you have any reason to think you need urgent help, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Payment
The center will verify your benefits and obtain authorization prior to your procedure. You will be notified of your financial responsibility for the facility fee prior to your scheduled procedure date. Payment for your services at the surgery center are due the day of your procedure. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. If you anticipate difficulty with your bill, please let us know before your procedure so we can work together to establish a fair solution. You may receive additional billing from your physician and anesthesia services, depending on your procedure. Check with your medical insurance provider to determine what’s covered by your plan.
Accreditation
