You are scheduled for outpatient surgery, enabling you to return home the same day to complete recovery. We have prepared this guide to help you through your surgery and recovery period. It contains important information about the precautions you should take before and after surgery. Please take the time now to read this information carefully.

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• About Our Care
• Our Waiting Room
• Registration
• The Cost of Treatment
• About Your Anesthesia
• Preparing for Surgery
• Transportation Arrangements
• How to Reach Our Facility

About Our Care

Opened in April 1996, The Outpatient Surgery Center is staffed by an experienced team of professionals selected for their expertise in caring for patients undergoing outpatient surgery. Supervised by an on-site Medical Director, our team is made up of board-certified surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. All are skilled in the latest surgical procedures and use state-of-the-art medical equipment. This assures you that the care you'll receive is the finest available anywhere.

When you arrive at the Center, you'll be greeted by our staff who will begin the admission process. Once you've been admitted, you'll be brought into a modern surgical suite where you'll be readied for surgery. Upon completion of your surgery, you'll be brought to the recovery room where skilled nurses will assist you and help you with your discharge.

You'll recover at home in familiar surroundings and be able to return to your daily routine with minimal disruption. A nurse from the Center will phone you at home the day after surgery to check on your health.


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Our Waiting Room

Our facility has a pleasant waiting room where an adult relative or friend can meet you to escort you home following surgery. For the safety and comfort of all of our patients, we do not allow children to wait at the Center. If you have children, please make arrangements for childcare the day of and the day following your surgery.


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Registration

The admission process begins at your physician's office. We will be given information by your physician about your special medical needs. You'll be asked to fill out an outpatient questionnaire during your pre-surgical doctor's visit. Please complete it to the best of your ability. This information will help us determine whether you should come in for evaluation at the Surgical Testing and Registration (STAR) Unit of St. Luke's Hospital before your scheduled date of surgery. If a STAR appointment is not necessary, we will call you at home, or at work if you prefer, to complete registration. There's nothing further you must do until you arrive at the Center on the day of surgery.


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The Cost of Treatment

The Outpatient Surgery Center represents high-quality, hospital-based care without the expense of hospitalization.

The Center's services are covered by most insurance programs, including Blue Cross and Blue
Shield plans, Health Net, Medicare and Medi-Cal. As a courtesy, we will bill your insurance company directly.

For assistance with insurance or billing questions, please call our financial representative at
(415) 641-6584.

Please note: If you are coming in for a procedure not covered by insurance, you must speak with our financial representative before your scheduled date of surgery.


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About Your Anesthesia

Prior to surgery, you'll meet with your anesthesiologist who will explain your anesthesia to you.

If you require only local anesthesia, you'll be able to leave the Center within one-half hour after the completion of surgery unless otherwise ordered by your physician. If you receive sedation, general or regional anesthesia during your procedure, you'll need one to two hours of rest following surgery before you are discharged. While surgery times may vary, every effort will be made to give you an accurate account of your discharge time.

With general anesthesia or sedation, it is normal for you to feel a little drowsy for two or more hours after the procedure. Therefore, do not sign any legal documents, drive an automobile or operate machinery for at least 24 hours following surgery. Important decisions affecting health or finances should be delayed as well, until the day after surgery.


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Preparing for Surgery

  The Week before Surgery
Your doctor will discuss any lab tests required prior to surgery, and those arrangements will be made for you. Necessary lab work must be performed within 72 hours prior to your surgery. You may be given an appointment for these tests at our STAR Unit. Otherwise, your lab tests will be done at the Center on the morning of surgery.

When you come in for a STAR appointment, please bring all health-coverage information with you at that time, including health- insurance forms and insurance ID, Medi-Cal and Medicare cards. If you don't have a STAR appointment, bring your insurance forms and identification cards with you to the Center on the day of surgery.

  The Day before Surgery
Do not eat or drink anything after 12 a.m. (midnight) on the night before surgery.

If you're taking any medications, check with your physician for preoperative instructions.

If there is any change in your health before surgery, for example, a runny nose, sore throat or fever, notify your doctor immediately.

If you think you might be pregnant, notify your doctor; anesthetics and certain medications can be harmful to the fetus.

Get a good night's rest the night before surgery.

To reduce the possibility of infection from bacteria on your skin, bathe or shower before arriving at the Center.

  The Day of Surgery
Please arrive at The Outpatient Surgery Center at least 1½ hours before the scheduled time of your surgery, but not earlier than 6 a.m. Go to the desk in the reception area, and give your name to the receptionist. A nurse will arrive shortly to take you to the preoperative area.

Leave all valuables (jewelry, cash, credit cards) at home. Jewelry cannot be worn during surgery, and the Center cannot accept responsibility for safekeeping your valuables.

Do not wear contact lenses or false eyelashes. We will ask you to remove them before surgery.

Bring a list of all medications you are taking, with dosages (if you know them).

Bring your insurance ID, Medi-Cal and Medicare cards, and any forms you were given by your doctor.

If you haven't already done so, you will be asked to sign a surgical consent form. This form must be signed by an adult. If the patient is a child, the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required.

  After Surgery
Do not make any important decisions, sign documents or do anything requiring skill, including cooking, for at least 24 hours.

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours.

Do not drink any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. Alcohol may react negatively with the drugs you were given during surgery.

If you have children, it is recommended that you arrange for childcare for the first 24 hours after you arrive home.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding medications, rest, diet and follow-up appointments.

A postoperative nurse will call you the day after your surgery to check on your condition.

If any problems arise, call your doctor.

For any other questions, please call our STAR Unit at 415-641-6583.

A responsible adult must drive you home. You will not be allowed to leave without an escort.


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Transportation Arrangements

A responsible adult must drive you home after surgery. For your safety, you will not be allowed to leave unattended or in a taxi. If you are having difficulty arranging transportation home, please let us know at least 48 hours before your scheduled surgery date so that we can try to assist you.


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How to Reach Our Facility

The Outpatient Surgery Center and the Surgical Testing and Registration (STAR) Unit are both located on the third floor of the Monteagle Medical Building at 1580 Valencia Street.

The Center is also accessible from other entrances to St. Luke's Hospital:

• From the Parking Garage located on the corner of Duncan and San Jose: Go to Level A of the garage and follow the inside corridor to the entrance of the Monteagle Building. Take the elevator to the third floor. Exit the elevator, turn left and enter The Outpatient Surgery Center. Give your name to the receptionist.

• From the 1580 Valencia Entrance: Take the elevator to the third floor. Exit the elevator. turn left and enter The Outpatient Surgery Center. Give your name to the receptionist.

• From the Hospital Entrance at 3555 Cesar Chavez Street: Walk straight ahead, up the ramp to the second set of elevators. Take the elevator to the third floor. Exit the elevator and turn left. Continue down the corridor to the next set of elevators. Turn right and enter The Outpatient Surgery Center. Give your name to the receptionist.


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