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Frequently Asked Questions about Our Surgery
PRE-OPERATIVE
You should receive written information in the mail once your procedure is scheduled at Musgrove Ear, Nose and Throat Ambulatory Surgery Center (MENT). PLEASE read this information carefully and feel free to contact the Surgery Center if you have ANY questions. The information includes instructions you must follow before your procedure, including any other medical exams or tests you must schedule with your Primary Care Physician before your surgery. A Nurse from MENT will call you approximately 1 week before the day of surgery to review the pre-operative instructions as well as to answer any questions. We have addressed some of the most frequently asked questions below.
It is imperative that patients scheduled for sedation of any kind or general anesthesia understand that they CANNOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING (INCLUDING WATER) AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY, unless instructed to do otherwise by the doctor or registered nurse.
INTRA-OPERATIVE
This is the actual time the patient is in the operating room. This phase includes delivery of anesthesia, surgical preparation, the actual surgical time, and waking up following the procedure.
POST-OPERATIVE
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS UNRESPONSIVENESS, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES, OR SEVERE UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
During this phase you (the patient) will be transferred to the Recovery Room (PACU) to awaken after anesthesia and to be monitored by a nurse. Your Family/Responsible Adult will be escorted to your room as soon as possible. The parents/guardians of infants and children are requested to come into the Recovery Room as soon as possible so familiar faces are there when the child wakes. It is necessary that we monitor the patient’s ability to drink fluids prior to his/her discharge.
ANSWERS
PRE-OPERATIVE
QUESTION: What should I bring with me on the day of surgery?
ANSWER: Please do not bring anything valuable to the surgery center. Leave all jewelry, cell phones, wallets at home. (Co-pay information is addressed below).
If you take a lot of medication please bring a list of these with you for our records. Diabetics should bring their glucometer and insulin with them.
You will, however, need to bring your (or your child's) insurance card and a
picture ID (parent or guardian). If any additional information is needed it will
be discussed during your pre-operative phone call.
QUESTION: What should I wear on the day of surgery?
ANSWER: It is best to wear clothing that is comfortable, loose fitting and warm (children love to come in their pajamas!) Patients having facial surgery should wear a shirt that buttons up and down the front to avoid having to put anything over their face after surgery. In addition, you may want to wear or bring a pair of socks with you to put on before going into the operating room. Parents/guardians should be prepared with a set of dry clothes as accidents occasionally occur.
QUESTION: Who should I contact if an emergency arises and I am unable to have my surgery as scheduled? (includes but not limited to illness, transportation problem, family emergency)
ANSWER: The surgery center is opened from 7:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Please contact us as soon as possible if a problem arises. If you call after hours please attempt to reach the Surgical Coordinator in Drs. Hauck, Bianchi & Driscoll,
PA at 301-989-2300. It is important to remember that the surgery center’s time, the physician’s time, and the anesthesiologist’s time (if applicable) has been reserved specifically for you.
QUESTION: How will I be able to pay my co-payment?
ANSWER: Co-payments for the surgery center will be paid the day of surgery. We accept cash, checks (for co-pays only), VISA and MasterCard.
Applicable deductibles will be billed once we have received payment from your insurance company.
Co-payments and/or deductibles for the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and the laboratory will be billed separately by each entity.
If you are scheduled to have elective surgery (not covered by insurance) please see the Self-Pay section for information on payments.
QUESTION: If I take medications, which ones should I take or not take?
ANSWER: A registered nurse from the surgery center will call you approximately 3-6 days prior to your procedure. The nurse will review your history and discuss your medications. Please make sure you have a list of your current medications readily available.
ASPIRIN, IBUPROPHEN (ex. Motrin, Advil) and Vitamin E should NOT be taken two weeks prior to your procedure. Please discuss other herbal and over-the-counter medications you normally take with your surgeon
and the nurses at the surgery center.
Tylenol products are safe and approved to take with in the two week period prior to your procedure.
If your are advised by the physician or the nurse to take medications on the day
of your surgery, please do so with the least amount of water possible.
INTRA-OPERATIVE
QUESTION: Who will be administering anesthesia during my procedure?
ANSWER: Safe
Sedation, Inc provides anesthesia services to the patients at Musgrove
Ear, Nose & Throat, ASC. This is an office-based anesthesia group
that provides care to patients of all age groups. You can find more
information about the group at www.SafeSedation.com.
QUESTION: How will anesthesia be administered?
ANSWER: Initially your surgeon will discuss the anesthesia options available for your specific procedure. If the procedure is scheduled for Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) or general anesthesia, you will have the opportunity to discuss any questions with the anesthesiologist prior to being escorted to the operating room.
Infants and children are sedated with a an anesthetic gas by a face mask followed by the insertion of an intravenous (IV) line. The IV allows the anesthesiologist to administer medications safely and rapidly. Because patients at this age are already anxious, sedating them first (before using a needle – IV) allows us to perform our preparation for anesthesia without increasing the anxiety.
POST-OPERATIVE
QUESTION: How long will I be in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU/Recovery Room?)
ANSWER: Patients are typically in the PACU from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the age of the patient and the procedure performed.
As instructed pre-operatively, any patient having anesthesia MUST have a
responsible adult with them at the time of surgery. It is necessary that this
person be able to remain at the Center for the duration of your stay. This
designated person will be given post-operative instructions, written and
verbally, for assisting you at home.
If for any reason the anesthesiologist and/or the surgeon decide that you need to be admitted to the hospital for observation, our staff will arrange transportation and admitting. The physicians have admitting privileges at
2 local hospitals.
QUESTION: Will I be able to drive after my procedure?
ANSWER: If you are scheduled for Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) or general anesthesia, you may not drive for a minimum of 24 hours. If you arrive at the surgery center without a Responsible Adult (age 18 & older) or a contact that will pick you up and care for you after your procedure, your surgery will be cancelled. The effects of anesthesia can last anywhere from 6 to 24 hours.
If you are scheduled for local anesthesia ONLY you may drive and return to you normal activities immediately unless instructed to do otherwise.
QUESTION: When will I be able to eat or drink following my procedure?
ANSWER: The nursing staff must monitor your ability to drink fluids following your procedure. We will offer clear fluids to you as soon as you are awake and oriented.
Parents/guardians with infants or small children should bring a bottle or ‘sippy cup’. The nurse will discuss details with you during the pre-operative phone call.
We suggest patients that have received MAC or general anesthesia start with light, easy to eat and easily digestible food. (soup, eggs, yogurt, etc) The nurses will discuss any specific instructions for your procedure.
QUESTION: What if I have questions after I get home?
ANSWER: The nurse will review post-operative instructions with you and your caretaker prior to your discharge. A copy of these instructions will be given to you. You may call the surgery center Monday through Friday, 7:00AM to 3:00PM, or you may contact your surgeon at his/her
office at 301-989-2300.
Most post-operative instructions are also posted on this website.
Patients that have received MAC or general anesthesia start with light, easy to eat and easily digestible food. (soup, eggs, yogurt, etc) The nurses will discuss any specific instructions for your procedure.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS
UNRESPONSIVENESS, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES, OR SEVERE, UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING,
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
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2008 Musgrove ENT ASC |
Our
center is committed to caring for all patients without regard to
race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion or handicap.
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