Preparing for Your Surgery

Once your doctor’s office has scheduled your procedure, a member of our staff will contact you to gather insurance information and discuss your financial responsibilities.

You will be contacted by a member of our nursing staff several days prior to your procedure to verify your medical history and discuss your current medical condition.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

• Please be sure to have completed the online Pre-Surgery Health Screening Form.
• Please complete the Patient Information Form prior to your arrival to our center and bring it with you the day of your procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure (including coffee and water).
• Do not smoke, chew gum or tobacco, or eat mints or candy the morning of your procedure.
• Please refrain from using perfume, cologne, lotions, or make-up the day of the procedure.
• If you are taking medications for your heart, blood pressure, seizure, reflux, or to help you breath (bring inhalers) they should be taken early on the morning of your procedure with a VERY SMALL sip of water. If you are on insulin, please get specific instructions regarding dose for the day of the procedure from the prescribing physician and bring your insulin with you.
• You may brush your teeth and rinse.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
• Please bring photo identification and insurance cards, if applicable. Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home. Leave medications and money at home. Only bring your co-pay and deductible. If you need your glasses or contact lenses, please bring a case for them.
• You must have someone drive you home.  Don’t make any additional plans on the day of your procedure. All patients receiving sedation or anesthesia are advised to have someone stay with them for the first 24 hours. You should not be alone.
• Discontinue all aspirin products, anti-inflammatory medications, supplements, and any diet medications.
• If you are taking any prescription blood thinners, consult the prescribing physician to see if you are able to discontinue use for 5-7 days prior to your procedure/surgery.
• If you become ill, sick, develop a cold, infection, or are being treated with antibiotics, between now and your procedure, please notify the Palms Wellington Surgical Center Pre-Screening Nurse.
• Please be advised to protect all out patients' privacy, it is the policy of Palms Wellington Surgical Center, that all electronic devices be powered down once you are brought into the pre-op area. These devices are to remain off until discharge.

If you become ill, sick, develop a cold, infection, or are being treated with antibiotics, between now and your procedure, please notify the Palms Wellington Surgical Center Pre-Screening Nurse at (561) 792-7333.

PATIENTS MUST READ

Since we are licensed as a Medicare facility, we must follow all Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines, regardless of which insurance a patient has. The government has mandated that we must provide all patients with written and verbal communication of the following information prior to the date of surgery:

Patient rights and responsibilities:

• Patient Bill of Rights (pdf) (English & Spanish)

Disclosure of physician financial interest in the surgical center:

• Notice of Disclosure of Ownership Interests (pdf) (English)
• Notice of Disclosure of Ownership Interests (pdf) (Spanish)

Advance directive information:

• Healthcare Advance Directives (pdf) (English)
• Healthcare Advance Directives (pdf) (Spanish)

These changes, which took effect May 18, 2009, affect all patients at Palms Wellington Surgical Center. This information is included in the packet your physician gave to you. If you have any questions about this information, please call us at (561) 792-7333.

To comply with the verbal communication part of these guidelines, someone from our surgical center must speak to you prior to the day of your procedure. IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO SOMEONE, YOUR PROCEDURE WILL BE CANCELLED. Therefore, you must provide your cell phone, work phone, and/or alternate telephone numbers to your doctor. If you receive a message from our staff, please call back during business hours (Monday through Friday, 5:30 am to 5:30 pm). Our phone number is (561) 792-7333.

We look forward to caring for you at our center.

Should you desire more information on advance directives, visit http://www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov or Ombudsman Center.