Important Information to Read and Follow Before Surgery

The Peninsula Surgery Center (PSC) offers its patients advanced surgical services in a convenient, comfortable setting. We are an orthopaedic and musculoskeletal specialty facility.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor about your procedure. Write a list of pertinent questions and be certain you get all of them answered. Some important things to ask include the following:

• Are there any prescription or non-prescription medications you should avoid taking or stop taking temporarily before your procedure?
• What can/cannot you eat or drink before surgery?
• Recovery time—and how you might feel the first days, weeks and months after surgery?
• What supplies, equipment and help are recommended at home after your procedure?
• Ask your doctor if he /she routinely performs a “time out” with the surgical team just before beginning surgery. During the time out, the members of the team insure they are performing the correct procedure at the correct site on the correct person. This is very important for patient safety.

Make Prior Arrangements

• Arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home after your surgery
• Arrange to have a responsible adult stay with you at home for at least four hours after a local anesthesia procedure and overnight after a general anesthesia procedure
• If you have small children, make childcare arrangements so you may rest when you return home
• Unless they are the patient, do not to bring small children to the Surgery Center as we do not have facilities for their care
• If the patient does not speak English, or needs an interpreter, please bring an interpreter

Prior to your surgery, a nurse will call you to ask about your health history. Please provide us with the names and dosages of any medications you are currently taking and any allergies to medications or latex. We will also give you important instructions. If we have not reached you three days prior to surgery, please call (650) 865-6400 and ask to speak to the pre-op nurse.

The Night Before Surgery

Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight. If you need to take essential medications, you may do so with a small amount of liquid. There may be some necessary exceptions to these instructions. If so, a nurse or doctor from the Surgery Center will discuss them with you. Expect a phone call from the anesthesiologist the day before your procedure to go over the plan in detail. If you receive a call from an unknown number, please answer it!

The Morning of Your Surgery

• Shower and wash your hair
• Use scrub brushes if requested by your surgeon
• Do not wear make-up
• Wear flat shoes or slippers
• Wear comfortable, loose clothes
• Bring your daily medications
• If you wear contact lenses you may have to remove them prior to surgery, so please bring your glasses
• If your child is undergoing surgery, please bring a comforting toy or blanket. Parents of a minor child are required to stay at the Center for the duration of the child’s care. We are glad to give you and your child a tour of the facility prior to the day of the procedure.
• Please bring your driver’s license or State ID card, insurance cards, Medicare card and any completed insurance forms with you
• Please leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home

At the Surgery Center

Please arrive and check in at the reception desk one hour ahead of your scheduled surgery time unless otherwise advised.

Before your procedure at the PSC, the nurse must talk to the person who is going to take you home. Please have that person come into the Center with you or be available by telephone before your procedure.

You will be asked to sign a consent form after the staff verifies that you and your doctor have discussed the surgery including the reason for surgery and the risks associated with it.

The staff responsible for your care will verify who you are, what kind of surgery you are having, and the part of your body on which surgery is to be performed. You will be asked these questions many times. Our staff will also double-check what you tell them against the documents provided by your doctor’s office, including x-rays. These repetitive confirmations are done for your safety.

While in the admitting area you must remove any hairpins, jewelry, dentures, contact lenses or glasses. The staff will take care of these items and return them to you after your procedure.

Depending on the type of procedure you are having, the doctor performing your surgery will mark the correct location on your body where the procedure is to be performed. Called “site marking,” this is a critical step in ensuring your safety and preventing errors. Only the site of the surgery should have markings. Whenever possible, the surgery site will be marked while you are awake so you can be involved in the process.

In the Recovery Room

After surgery, your doctor and the nurses will ask if you are having pain. It is important to accurately report your pain level so you receive appropriate relief. If you are asked to take medications, ask what they are. If you have questions about any medications, ask your doctor or nurse. A responsible adult friend or family member who is with you may ask these questions on your behalf, if needed.

At the discretion of your physician and/or our nursing staff, a friend or relative may join you in the recovery room as soon as you are awake and able to visit with them.

After You Return Home

Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and contact your him or her with any questions. You may also call the Surgery Center at (650) 865-6400 . Call 911 if an emergency arises.

The Day After Your Procedure

Expect a check-in call from the Surgery Center and/or your physician’s office.

Surgery Center Ownership

Physician investment in ambulatory surgery centers is commonplace and encourages physicians working in these environments to promote excellence and efficiency. As such, your physician may have a financial interest in the Peninsula Surgery Center and wants to remind you that you may use the facility of your choice for surgical services, if your surgeon has privileges there. You may request from your physician, or the Surgery Center, information on physician ownership.

Day of Procedure Checklist

• Wear flat shoes or slippers
• Wear comfortable, loose clothes
• If you wear contact lenses, also bring your glasses
• Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home
• Bring an adult friend or family member who will drive you home and stay with you after your procedure
• Bring your daily medications
• Bring an interpreter if you need language assistance
• Bring your Driver’s License or State ID Card, Insurance Cards, Medicare Card or completed insurance form with you
• Don’t wear make-up or jewelry
• Don’t eat or drink eight hours before your surgery
• Don’t worry – you are in good hands!