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AtlantiCare Surgery Center

Prepare for Your Appointment

Pre-Procedure Instructions
Discharge Instructions
Post-Anesthesia Instructions

Pre-Procedure Instructions

Please complete the Medical Passport! If you have access to the Internet, it is recommended that you complete the Medical Passport as soon as possible in advance of your scheduled procedure. Completing the Passport will provide our Pre Admission nurses and the Anesthesia Department with the information they need to ensure you receive the highest level of individualized care. Your individual health history is carefully taken into account by a team of clinical professionals prior to the day of your arrival at the Surgery Center.

Do Not Eat or Drink Anything After Midnight prior to the day of your procedure (unless otherwise instructed by an anesthesiologist). If you have any kind of sedation, you are not permitted to drive for 24 hours after surgery. You must make arrangements for a responsible adult companion to take you home and be available to you for 24 hours following discharge.

Do Not Bring any Valuables or Jewelry to the Surgery Center
If you wear contacts or glasses, please bring a case for them. Bring your insurance card (s), referrals, driver's license and any co-pay due on the day of your procedure. Please do not wear any makeup if you're having surgery anywhere on your face. If you're having surgery on your hand or foot, please do not wear nail polish. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Keep in mind that you will be asked to store your clothing in a bag during your procedure.

Medications
If you have not completed the Medical Passport, Please bring a list of your current medications and dosages with you.You may take your morning dose of any heart or blood pressure medication.

Do Not Take Any Diuretics (water pills) on the morning of surgery. If you are taking Coumadin, aspirin or any other type of blood thinner, please check with your physician and/or primary physician about discontinuing these prior to the surgery.

Do Not Take Your Insulin Or Diabetes Pills On the Morning of Your Procedure since you will not be eating. We will check your blood sugar before your procedure. If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you.

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Discharge Instructions

If any problems arise when you return home, please call us at 609-407-2282 and our nursing staff will immediately confer with you to assist in identifying the proper resolution of the problem. If you develop a problem outside of AtlantiCare Surgery Center 's normal business hours, please call your physician's office for assistance.

Explanation of Charges
The AtlantiCare Surgery Center charges a facility fee for the use of the operating/procedure room, recovery room, nursing services, medications and supplies. Your physician's fee for performing the procedure is not included in our bill. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may have a co-pay that is due upon arrival to the Center. Additionally, if you receive anesthesia, you will receive a professional bill from the anesthesiologist. Pre-surgical laboratory tests are not included in our bill. If you have any questions about the AtlantiCare Surgery Center facility fee or your co-pay, please feel free to call us at 609-407-2558 or 407-2564. We will be glad to explain our charges.

Payment Arrangements
Based on the information provided to you at the time of registration, the AtlantiCare Surgery Center staff will submit your bill to your designated insurance company or responsible party. While our Billing Team will make every effort to validate your coverage prior to your visit, individual insurance plans vary in their coverage, so please review your plan for limits. You will be responsible for paying any deductibles, co-payments or charges for non-covered services. If you need help filling out the insurance forms, we will be glad to assist you.

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Post-Anesthesia Instructions

These are the basic instructions to follow at home after having general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation. You will be given further instructions specific to your procedure. These instructions are applicable for a minimum of 24 hours. You may resume your normal activities after that time, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

Diet: Begin meals with clear liquids and progress to solid foods as they are tolerated.

If you have or feel nausea when you get home:

• Try to move around less.
• Eat saltine crackers or pretzels.
• Sip drinks like ginger ale or a drink that sounds good to you.
• The nausea should go away in about 24 hours.

Activity: After your procedure you should:

• Take it easy for the next 24 hours, even if you feel like your normal self; you can injure yourself!
• Avoid mowing the lawn, playing sports, shoveling snow, operating vehicles, etc.
• Do not sign any legal documents within 24 hours of your procedure.

It is normal:
to feel weak, sleepy, or "wiped out," or you may feel perfectly fine; you should start feeling better within the next 24 hours. You may resume your normal medications as prescribed by your physician. Avoid aspirin.

The AtlantiCare Surgery Center is Accredited by

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