Preparing for Surgery: Your Guide to a Smooth Experience

We understand that preparing for surgery can be both exciting and worrisome. At Mountain View Surgery Center, we want to ensure that your experience is as easy and calming as possible. You’re in caring hands and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. This guide provides essential information to help you prepare for your upcoming surgery.

CONTENTS:

Before Surgery

Day of Surgery

Postoperative Recovery

Important Notices

Before Surgery

Physician Instructions

You will receive a pre-admission packet from your physician when your procedure is scheduled. It this packet will be all the information you need to prepare you for your surgery including your preoperative instructions.
Be sure to read your preoperative instructions. There is important information in your preop instructions.
Understanding the process and what to expect will ease any anxiety or concerns and will answer any questions you might have.

Preadmission Questionnaire

Once your procedure is scheduled at Mountain View Surgery Center, you will receive a welcome email/text. Do not ignore this!
Follow instructions in your welcome email/text. It contains the link for your preadmission questionnaire.
Complete the preadmission questionnaire at your EARLIEST convenience. It is never too early to complete it. Our medical staff need adequate time to review your health history. You will be contacted if they need additional labs/EKG or need to go over any medications.

Medication Instructions

Talk to your doctor about medications. Some may need to be adjusted or stopped temporarily before surgery.
Prepare an up-to-date list of your current medications and allergies.
Follow any antibiotic prescriptions provided by your doctor to prevent infection.
Be sure to fill any prescriptions BEFORE your day or surgery.
A nurse may contact you prior to surgery to discuss your medications if necessary.

Hygiene and Personal Care

Do not wear deodorant, lotion, or perfume on the day of surgery.
Avoid shaving the surgical area; your care team will handle hair removal if necessary.
Bathe with antibacterial soap or solution as instructed.
Do not have wet hair when you arrive for surgery—Be sure your hair is dry.

Tobacco and Alcohol

Refrain from using tobacco or alcohol for at least 12 hours prior to surgery or as instructed by your provider. Ideally, 24 hours before surgery would be best.

Financial

You will receive a patient estimate of your out-of-pocket costs before your surgery date, reflecting the amount after insurance coverage.
Be prepared to pay your insurance copay/deductible.
Cash-pay patients will be required to make their payment in full.
Our goal is to take care of any concerns you may have prior to your surgery day. Don't hesitate to reach out to billing for any questions.

Day of Surgery

Fasting

Follow fasting requirements as instructed. No food or drink for 8 hours prior to your surgery check in time. This includes water, gum, mints, hard candy and sips of anything (unless otherwise directed by MVSC nursing team).

Personal Items

Do not bring any personal valuables. MVSC will not be responsible for your valuables.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing appropriate for your procedure.
Do not wear makeup, hairspray or jewelry. Remove all body piercings.
Do not wear contacts. Be sure to wear glasses.
Bring a case for glasses or contact lenses if needed.
Ortho cases: If you were given a brace, be sure to bring it with you for your surgery. It will be fitted and you will be sent home with it on.
Ortho cases: If crutches were ordered, bring them but LEAVE them in your vehicle. You will be taken out to your vehicle in a wheelchair.
If you have sleep apnea/breathing issues: Bring your CPAP and LEAVE in your vehicle.

Support Person

Arrange for someone to accompany you to the surgery center. You must have someone drive you home and remain with you for the first 24 hours.
Pediatric patients: One parent/guardian must accompany the minor and stay within the facility at all times. Only one loved one can be accommodated and allowed to go back with your minor to get ready for their procedure and to be with your minor during recovery.
Pediatric patients: Children may bring a toy or blanket with them if needed for comfort.

Surgery

Nursing staff will prepare you for your surgery in the pre-op area where you will be informed about what to expect before and after your procedure. Our goal is to minimize your anxiety by discussing the details of your visit.
Vital signs and health history will be taken, an overall assessment completed and an intravenous (IV) line started if needed.
You will meet the rest of your surgical team including the anesthetist, nursing circulator and your surgeon prior to going back to surgery. You may not get to meet your surgical technologist, but be assured they will be working behind the scenes to get your OR room ready for your surgery.
You will wake up from anesthesia in the PACU/Recovery area. Here, we will start managing your pain, preventing or treating nausea, and providing warming therapies. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible. Once you are assessed and ready for discharge, we will discuss home care and pain management instructions and prepare you to go home.
Keep in mind once stable and ready for discharge, the best place for you to recover is in the comforts of your home where you can rest/sleep off the anesthesia medications.
You will receive texts/emails following your surgery to follow up with your recovery progress. Be sure to complete the questionnaire and indicate if you have any questions for our nursing staff. There is also a link for patient satisfaction to complete regarding your surgical experience.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the office with any post-surgery questions for our nursing team.

Miscellaneous

Bring your ID and insurance card.
Bring your Advanced Directives if you have one.

Remember, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to support you throughout your surgical journey.

Postoperative Recovery

Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Discharge Instructions

Your healthcare team has tailored specific guidelines just for you. Follow to these discharge instructions closely.
Take your medications as prescribed and follow any dietary recommendations they’ve given you.

Prevent Infection

Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your incision.
Follow the wound care instructions provided to you.
Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge.

Balance Rest and Activity

While rest is essential, gentle physical activity can help promote healing.
Follow your doctor’s advice on when and how to increase your activity levels.

Care for Your Incision Properly

Keep the incision area clean and dry.
Avoid activities that could strain the incision.

Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments

These appointments are crucial for monitoring your progress. Make sure to attend all of them.
Use these visits to discuss any concerns or symptoms you might have.

Manage Pain Effectively

Take your prescribed pain medications as directed.
Don’t hesitate to communicate with your healthcare team about your pain levels. They’re there to help you.

Eat a Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated

Focus on a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals to support your recovery.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Know When to Seek Help

Be aware of symptoms that may indicate complications, such as severe pain, fever, or unusual discharge from the incision.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any concerning symptoms.

Important Notices

Consent–Advance Directives, Release of information, Personal valuable

Advance Directives/Patient Self-Determination Act

The Patient Self-Determination Act was passed in 1991 by the U.S. Congress. This act states that Mountain View Surgery Center must inform all patients of their rights under the state law to make their own medical care decisions. The following are ways that we ensure your rights:

Informed Consent is an agreement signed by patients that indicates their understanding of the surgical procedure, made with complete knowledge of all relevant facts, such as the risks involved or any available alternatives.

An Idaho Living Will allows you to state your wishes about medical care in the event you may become terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state and can no longer make your own decisions. Your Idaho Living Will becomes effective once the doctors certify either (a) that you are terminally ill and that application of artificial life-sustaining procedures would only serve to prolong your artificial life, and that your death will occur with or without the use of life-sustaining procedures, or (b) that you are in a persistent vegetative state.

Idaho Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care allows you to name someone to make medical decisions about your care if you are unable to speak for yourself. This includes decisions about life support. A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is very useful because it appoints someone to speak for you any time you are unable to make your own medical decisions.

The Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care may be combined. It is recommended that you complete both of these documents to ensure that you receive the medical care you want when you can no longer speak for yourself. These forms can be found for free at http://www.ag.idaho.gov/livingWills/livingWills_index.html

It is Mountain View Surgery Center’s policy to provide resuscitative efforts for all patients until the patient is transferred to a facility that has the capabilities to honor their DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders or end of life decisions. If I have an Advanced Directive, I will provide a copy to MVSC.

NOTICE REGARDING RELEASE OF HEALTH INFORMATION

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and as further explained in Mountain View Surgery Center Notice of Privacy Practices, Mountain View Surgery Center may use and disclose medical information to physicians or other providers for the purposes of providing treatment, and to payors for the purposes of payment for medical treatment.

PERSONAL VALUABLES

Mountain View Surgery Center is not responsible for lost personal belongings and valuables and that family members or friends should be asked to take home money, jewelry and clothing. Inform staff if you have dentures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prosthetics or other items that you need to retain close by for personal functioning and to assure safekeeping.

Consent: Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Mountain View Surgery Center is dedicated to providing the best healthcare services possible. To help accomplish this mission, Mountain View Surgery Center believes that all patients should know their rights and responsibilities.

Patient Rights:

The right to exercise these rights without regard to age, sex, economic status, educational background, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or the source of payment for care.
The right to receive information in a manner he/she understands.
The right to considerate, respectful care.
The right to know the name of the personnel who provide healthcare services to the patient.
The right to be well-informed about any exam performed.
The right to accept or refuse care, treatment and services.
The right to confidentiality and privacy.
The right to be free of neglect, exploitation and verbal, mental, physical and sexual abuse.
The right to examine and receive an explanation of the patient’s bill regardless of source of payment
The right to receive information on sources of help regarding advanced directives- Patients will be referred to their healthcare professional.
The right to file a grievance or complaint with Mountain View Surgery Center, any governmental agency and/or any organization that awards accreditation or licensing to Mountain View Surgery Center.
The right to access, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosures of health information in accordance with law and regulation.
The right to expect that Mountain View Surgery Center will provide service to the best of its ability.
The right to pain management- Patients will be referred to their healthcare provider for pain management needs.

Patient Responsibilities:

The patient is responsible for providing information that is relevant to the exam, including present complaints, hospitalizations, past illnesses, medications and other matters related to the patient’s health that would pertain to the exam ordered.
The patient needs to be considerate of other patients and personnel.
The patient needs to be respectful of the property of other persons and the property of Mountain View Surgery Center and the facility.
The patient and his/her family are responsible to comply with policies and procedures designed to protect the health and safety of others.
The patient is responsible for asking questions if instructions or requests are unclear.
The patient is responsible for following instructions to complete the exam.
The patient is responsible to inform Mountain View Surgery Center if his/her safety or dignity has been compromised during their stay.
The patient needs to advise his/her doctor or healthcare professional of any dissatisfaction the patient may have with his/her care or services.
The patient is responsible for meeting financial obligations as agreed to pay for treatment.

Disclosure of Ownership Interest In Mountain View Surgery Center

Mountain View Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgery center in which physicians have an ownership interest. The Center is committed to providing clinical excellence in a safe, comfortable, welcome environment for you and your family members.

Many of the physicians who practice here have chosen to have an ownership in the surgery center. This investment gives the physicians the ability to retain quality control and to ensure that your medical costs are reasonable and to provide the highest quality care.

Your physician’s ownership interest in the surgery center does mean that your physician may benefit from choosing to perform your surgical procedure at this facility rather than in a hospital or in another similar facility. We are therefore advising you through this document that you have the right to be treated at another facility. If you elect to have your procedure performed elsewhere, your physician will make alternative arrangements at your direction.