If your physical condition changes, for example, if you develop a cold, cough, flu-type symptoms, fever or other changes in your health, call your surgeon prior to your arrival at the Center for Health Ambulatory Surgery Center. Your surgeon may determine it is not safe to proceed with your surgery and we will reschedule.

Do not eat or drink unless instructed to do so. This includes no mints, gum, or water.

Do not take any medications unless instructed to do so. Please ask your primary care physician ahead of time. If you must take medications (per your physician’s specific instructions), take with a tiny sip of water.

Do not drink alcohol, smoke, chew tobacco or take any illegal drugs.

Take a bath or shower.

Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.

Do not wear makeup, including lipstick and mascara or perfume. It is recommended that you remove fingernail polish.

Leave ALL jewelry and valuables at home. Remove all piercings. The CFHASC is unable to accept liability for lost valuables.

Bring a list of current medications and doses.

Bring all papers, X-rays or equipment / devices given to you by your physician.

Children may bring one favorite toy.

Children ages 17 and under must by accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will remain on the premises throughout the entire procedure.

Parents, please make arrangements for siblings to stay with family, friends or other caregivers.

To ensure your comfort for the ride home, bring pillows and a small garbage can in case you feel nauseous from the anesthesia.

Parking

Park in the Surgery parking lot. Use the entrance off Route 91 with the smaller sign, north entrance and go straight to the back of the building.

Registration

Please check in at the Surgery Registration Desk.

Bring your insurance card and any other necessary paperwork.

Bring any co-pay your insurance requires. We accept cash, check, credit and debit cards.

Bring photo identification.

If you have any questions or concerns, our Registration staff will be happy to help you.

Visitors

Due to limited seating, please limit the number of visitors that accompany you to the surgery center to no more than two people. Your visitors must have your permission to hear your medical information before being allowed in the preoperative area.

Visitors should remain in the designated waiting area during your surgical procedure. Your surgeon may speak with them after your surgery has been completed.

For the comfort of all our patients, especially children, who are required to fast, we do not allow visitors to bring food from outside as the odor can cause upset stomachs. There is a café and vending machines on the premises. Coffee and water will be offered to your visitors after you have been taken back to surgery.

If your visitors need to leave the waiting area, they should tell our Registration staff.

Patient Safety

At the CFHASC your safety is our top priority. Our surgeons, nurses and staff take many steps to make sure your procedure goes as planned. You can play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active member of your healthcare team.

ID Bracelet. Before putting your Identification (ID) bracelet on, check your name for correct spelling and your birth date for accuracy. Tell a staff member if anything is wrong. You will be given a new bracelet with corrected information.

Consent to Surgery. Review all the information on the Consent Form before you sign it. You or your legal guardian must sign a Consent Form before surgery can take place. Make sure your name, your surgeon’s name and the procedure are correct. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask for clarification. If you don’t understand, ask again.

Patient Identification. Our employees will ask you to tell them your name, birth date, surgery to be performed and the location on your body of the surgery or procedure. If it is appropriate, you should point to the part of the body. Expect us to check your ID bracelet when you tell us your name and birth date. Don’t be alarmed if your surgeon asks you to identify yourself. He or she knows who you are. This is how they make sure they have everything correct to ensure your safety.

Preoperative Interview. The nurses and surgeons may ask you to answer the same question up to 4 times. Do not be alarmed by the repetition. This is how we make sure we have everything correct.

Site Marking. Your surgeon may place an ink mark where the procedure is expected to be done. The mark should not rub off easily. If it does, please tell the nurse. It is very important your surgeons and nurses see the mark before surgery begins. **Do not mark non-operative body sites — this could cause confusion.

Time Out. Once you are in the operating room and immediately before your surgery begins, everyone in the operating room will stop all activity and take a short “time out” to check one last time that you are the correct patient and that they are doing the correct procedure on the correct body part.

Infection Control. At the Center for Health Ambulatory Surgery Center, preventing infection is a priority. You will receive education on preventing infection after your procedure.