When you come to Providence St. Peter Hospital for your outpatient surgery, we want you to be as comfortable as possible. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect on the day of surgery, and follow the instructions outlined here.
Before your surgery
Pre-registration form You will receive a pre-registration form from your doctor's office. Alternatively, you can fill out the online pre-registration form. This form should be completed and returned to the hospital at least seven days prior to your surgery. Call the admitting office at (360) 493-7217 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, if you have problems with the form.
In addition, you should bring your completed Pre-Anesthesia and Medical/Surgical History form with you on the day of your surgery.
Pre-admission tests If you need laboratory tests or X-rays prior to your surgery, you should have them done at the hospital the week before your surgery unless your surgeon instructs you differently. Tests can be arranged through the Pre-Admission Clinic between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Call (360) 493-7144 for an appointment.
Pediatric tours You may arrange a tour for you and your child by calling
(360) 493-4250.
The day before your surgery
We will call A nurse will call you the day before your surgery to verify your time of arrival and any instructions your physician may have given. Please notify us if you will be at a phone number that differs from the one on your admission form. If you have any questions, please call us Monday through Friday at (360) 493-7095
(if your surgery is in the main hospital) or (360) 493-4250 (if your surgery is in the Outpatient Surgery Center).
Illness Please notify your physician if you or your child has a cold, respiratory infection or any other illness within a week of surgery.
Food Food or liquid (including water or gum) is not allowed after midnight the day before a surgery, unless instructed otherwise.
Medication Unless otherwise directed by your physician, continue taking all your medication until midnight before the surgery. Please bring all your medications with you.
Instructions for children Patients under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The anesthesiologist will speak to the patient and parent prior to surgery. One parent must be in the hospital at all times, even when the child is in surgery or recovery. Please make child care arrangements for other children.
What to bring Please complete the Pre-Anesthesia and Medical/Surgical History form and bring it with you on the day of your surgery. [form name is active; click to go to form for download] Remember to bring any medical coupons or Medicare, Department of Labor and Industries forms, insurance and social security cards to the hospital with you. If you have a co-payment, bring that amount of cash or a check with you. Please don't bring credit cards, more than $10 in cash, watches and/or other valuables.
Plan for getting home You must arrange for someone to drive and escort you all the way to your residence. Drugs, including anesthesia, can alter your judgment and affect your reactions. You need someone to drive and escort you home to avoid injury to yourself and others. We recommend having a responsible adult stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.
The day of surgery
Bathing A shower or bath is recommended prior to admission. Shower facilities are not available in the unit.
Anesthesiologist visit An anesthesiologist will visit you prior to surgery. Please be prepared to discuss your Pre-Anesthesia and Medical/Surgical History form and your current medications, allergies or medical problems.
Length of your stay Your stay for outpatient surgery usually lasts three to six hours from the time you arrive. Variances are caused most frequently by unforeseen schedule changes (cancellation or emergency additions) and by a patient's particular reaction to medications and anesthesia. We cannot predict exactly when you will be ready to leave. We have a surgery waiting room for the person who will escort you home.
What to wear Please wear casual, loose-fitting clothing that can be folded and stored in drawers. You may bring your own slippers. All patients must wear hospital gowns. You may wear contact lenses (please bring your own case and solution), dentures and wigs to the hospital, but they may need to be removed after your admission when you change for surgery.
What not to wear All makeup, including nail polish, and jewelry should be removed before you arrive. The skin tone of your face and under your nails is an important indicator to surgery and recovery personnel during and after the operation.
After surgery
As you leave When you are discharged, your nurse will emphasize the following:
- Please follow your doctor's instructions.
- You must be accompanied all the way to your residence. Be certain someone is nearby when you first stand or walk in case of dizziness. You are advised to rest and take it easy and to have someone with you for the rest of the day.
- Do not drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take any tranquilizers or sleeping pills for the rest of the day. Take no medications other than those prescribed by your doctor.
- Eat lightly at first and then eat as desired or as instructed by your doctor.
- Make no critical decisions nor do anything that requires you to be alert and coordinated for the rest of the day. Sign no legal documents. Do not take care of a dependent person.
- The outpatient pharmacy is available to fill your prescriptions before going home.
- If you have any questions concerning your recovery, contact your physician through his or her office.
Financial information
Medicaid and Medicare: Patients receiving medical benefits funded through the state need to have a current Medicaid coupon. Medicare patients need to have their health insurance card and supplemental insurance information (including forms when applicable).
Private insurance: Patients with private insurance need to have their health insurance forms. The co-insurance amount due from the patient should be paid by the day of surgery. If your insurance requires pre-authorization and/or a second opinion, please contact your insurance company prior to admission. All insurance coverage is verified and billed to your insurance company for payment. We request that all balances be paid within 90 days of billing. For your convenience, we accept Visa and MasterCard.
Without insurance: Patients without insurance need a deposit of $500 or need to make other financial arrangements prior to surgery. Cosmetic surgery requires a $1,500 deposit.
Physician charges: Your anesthesiologist and surgeon charges are separate from the hospital and will be billed from their offices. If you have questions, please contact your physician's office.
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