Preparing for Surgery

Your surgery date, location and arrival time will be included in the packet provided by your physician’s surgery scheduler. Please review the packet for specific instructions on what to do the day of surgery. The following are some general Do’s and Don’ts for your surgery day.

Remember any ordered EKG/Lab work and Cardio clearance should be done, preferably 1 or 2 weeks prior to your surgery. Many labs are time sensitive and need to be collected a maximum of 30 days prior to surgery.

DO:

• Bring a photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, military ID), your insurance card, and any co-pay/deductibles with you.
• Accompany children undergoing surgery. All minors MUST have the parent or legal guardian in the building at all times while the child is under our care.
• Bring any legal documents regarding Guardianship, Emancipation, or Power of Attorney. We will require that a copy of all legal documents be in the patient’s chart, prior to the start of surgery.
  • Please note that our facility does not require Living Wills/ DNR orders, however, if you have one, we will place a copy of it in your record, and should a hospital transfer become necessary, a copy will be transferred with you.
• Wear loose comfortable clothing; easy to get in and out of. If you are having a shoulder procedure it is best to wear a button up shirt and one that is too big for you. Please minimize make-up and fingernail/toe polish. It is preferred that none be worn.
• Bring glasses, if you wear them. Contacts must be removed before surgery.
• Bring a rescue inhaler (i.e. Albuterol) on the day of surgery, if you use one. Many times the anesthesiologist will have you use it just before surgery.
• Bring a favorite toy/blanket for small children to make them feel more comfortable prior to and following their surgery. If the child requires a bottle or sipper cup, please bring one with you filled only with water or apple juice, for after surgery.

DO NOT:

• Smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before the surgery.
• No nicotine or tobacco products should be used 24 hours prior.
• No illicit drug use 72 hours prior to surgery.
• Do not bring your medications with you.
• Bring any valuables or jewelry to the facility. All rings that are loose enough to come off should be removed, including wedding rings, and they MUST be off the hand on the side we are working on.
  • If the ring will not come off (i.e. wedding ring and we are working on the left), you will need to have the ring cut off or we will have to cancel/reschedule the surgery.
  • ALL piercings must be removed for safety issues. If you are afraid that the piercing will close, you may remove the piercing in the pre-op area.

When leaving the hospital, follow the post-operative directions as instructed by your nurse. Below are guidelines to keep in mind following surgery.

• You MUST have a driver available to take you home. If this person is not waiting for you in the lobby, we must have a VALID CONTACT PHONE number and they must be within 30 minutes of the surgery center.
• Someone MUST be with you for the 24 hours following surgery. You may NOT be home alone or cared for by a child under 16 years of age. You also must not be responsible for small children during this time.
• There is absolutely no driving, operating heavy machinery, or making major/legal decisions for 24 hours following the surgery due to the lingering effects of anesthesia.
• Following your surgery, you will be discharged with written medication prescriptions that will require you to get them filled at the pharmacy (Unless you have already been given a prescription by your surgeon prior to your surgery). Please note that we do not give you pills to take home, nor do we have a pharmacy in the building. If you will have any problem filling the prescriptions following surgery, please call your surgeon PRIOR to your surgery date to request them ahead of time. You may call 784-6200 to make these arrangements.
• If you have been given a brace or assistive ambulation devices such as crutches, walker or scooter, please be sure to bring them with you to your surgery.
  • If your surgery requires any DME or equipment for after surgery and the location that the surgery is being done at does not supply it, you will be given a prescription from your surgeon to pick up. If you are unable to use, or do not want crutches you will need to obtain a prescription from the doctor’s office for walker/ roll-about or wheelchair and then obtain the product from a medical supply company.

It is our goal at Tucson Orthopaedic Institute to provide all of our patients with the safest care possible. Many patient injuries are attributed to a patient’s lack of knowledge or understanding regarding their health care. Tucson Orthopaedic Institute would like to take this opportunity to provide you with information about being an advocate for yourself and your family members while seeking any type of health care. The following information contains some quick tips that will allow you to be better informed regarding your care as well as your overall health status.

• Be sure to ask questions. If you have any questions or don’t understand the information a healthcare provider has given to you, ask again. You have a right to know about all aspects of your care.
• Always pay attention to the care you receive. If something doesn’t seem right to you ask for clarification. It is important that you don’t assume anything when it comes to your health and the care you receive.
• Educate yourself about your diagnosis. Talk with your doctor and learn what you need to know about your care, treatment plans, and recovery times. Being a responsible consumer of healthcare is vital.
• If you are unable to advocate for yourself, ask for help. You have a right to have an advocate to speak on your behalf, if you are unable to do so yourself.
• Know what medications you are taking at all times. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes. You are the only reliable way for a healthcare worker to obtain this information accurately, and completely. Keep an updated list of all your medications, including dosages, and the reason you are taking them with you at all times. Ask each healthcare provider you see to update your list each time they change, add, or delete a medication.
• Use facilities that have proven they are safe by way of accreditation. Accreditation is a way of assuring that a facility has proven their commitment to patient safety and providing quality care.
• Participate in your healthcare. Always be informed, you are the most important person of your health care team.