Perioperative Services & Instructions

We Guide You Through Every Step

Before and after your surgery, we make sure you and your family understands what is happening every step of the way. We’ll educate you about the procedure, what precautions we may need to take, if any, and answer your questions throughout the entire process – from pre-admittance testing to surgery preparation, discharge and what to do when you’re back at home.

We also provide a full range of endoscopic services most commonly used in colonoscopies and EGDs (esophagogastroduodenoscopys). These procedures help your physician to both diagnose and treat problems in the alimentary canal, which includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

Our new facility is equipped with all the latest, state-of-the-art technology for complete inpatient and outpatient care. We provide comprehensive services and instructions including:

Pre-admittance and education: Depending on your condition, past medical history and the nature of your procedure, we’ll either pre-admit you in person or over the phone. Our goal is to make sure we have your complete medical history, current medications and any other important information that may affect your surgery. We also provide education and support for you and your family and continue to help you understand what we’re doing throughout each step before, during and after surgery.

Testing and blood work: Testing and blood analysis helps us to know what’s happening inside your body before surgery. Your results will enable us to determine your unique plan of care so that we can make sure your procedure is safe and will have the best possible outcome.

Tests can include:

• Electrocardiograms (ECG)
• X-ray or other diagnostic imaging
• Blood work, including blood glucose, complete blood counts, electrolyte measurements, etc.

Pre-surgical preparation: Our exceptional team of registered nurses will review important instructions with you to follow before your surgery. If these instructions are not accurately followed, your surgery may be cancelled. Instructions can include:

• No food, drink (including water), chewing gum, candy or smoking at any time after midnight on the night before your surgery. You may brush your teeth.
• Arrange for a family member or friend to take you home after surgery if you’re having out-patient surgery with anesthesia. You will not be allowed to drive home or ride in a cab unless you are accompanied by a family member or friend.
• Leave your valuables, large amounts of cash, jewelry and credit cards at home, or leave them with a family member or friend for safekeeping.
• Do not take any nonsteriodial anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Motrin or Advil ibuprofen, Aleve) or aspirin products for one week prior to your surgery date.
• Take your regular medications if your physician says you should. Please take them with the smallest possible sip of water before going to the hospital.
• Insulin-dependent diabetics should not take insulin in the morning. We will check your serum glucose level when you get to the hospital and give you an appropriate dose before surgery. At pre-admittance, we will need to know the exact type of insulin you take and whether it is made from pork, beef or human extract.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes to the hospital on the day of surgery. If you are having surgery on your head, neck or eyes, you should wear a shirt or blouse that opens in the front.
• If your insurance company requires payment of a deductible prior to surgery, please bring it with you on the day of surgery.

Post-operative care: After surgery, our highly skilled recovery room nurses will monitor you in our state-of-the-art Post Anesthesia Care Unit until you are alert and functioning properly. Two nurses that are specially trained in postoperative (after surgery) and post-anesthesia care stay by your side during the immediate postoperative phase. They closely monitor your blood pressure and heart, make sure your airways are clear and manage your pain.  

If you are scheduled for outpatient surgery, you should expect to stay at the hospital for two to four hours after surgery. Your surgeon or nurse will give you the necessary instructions for your postoperative care before you are discharged. If you are staying overnight in the hospital, we will take you to your room after surgery.

Discharge and at-home instructions: After you have recovered enough to go home, we do all the necessary paperwork to discharge you from the hospital. We help you understand all of the instructions required for self care or assisted care at home and your continued recovery. We answer any questions you or your family may have about instructions, which may include:

• Pain management: Take all medications exactly as instructed. Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. Please call us anytime at (541) 526-6503 if you have questions.
• Incision care: Your physician or nurse will tell you how to care for your incision and when you are allowed to get it wet. At first, you may just need to change bandages and not wash your incision.

When you are instructed to wash your incision, wash it in the shower with soap and warm water. It does not have to be covered unless you notice any drainage. If your incision is in a place that you can not see, you may want to have someone look at your surgery area for you.

If you notice signs infection or inflammation which may include redness, drainage, swelling or a fever more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, please contact us right away at (541) 526-6503.

• Activity levels and restrictions: you will receive specific instructions on the amount of lifting, walking, rest and other activities that your physician recommends you do or not do. You may also be instructed to do physical and/or occupational therapy, therapeutic exercises and other postoperative exercises that help the healing process.