Welcome
to the Surgical Services Department of Wyoming County Community Health
System. The Surgical Services department is staffed by Advanced Cardiac Life
Support certified RN’s and LPN’s Monday –Friday from 6:00am -6:00pm. We
provide preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care for a variety of
patients. Surgical Services provided include orthopedic, Ear Nose
Throat(ENT), urology, ophthalmology, Gynecological (GYN), gastroenterology,
and general surgery. We can be reached at 585-786-8940 Ext 4605. The
Director of Surgical Services is Cynthia Elbow who can be reached at
585-786-8940 Ext. 4665. Cindy invites potential customers to contact her
with questions or concerns.
The Surgical Service Department is
located on the second floor of the hospital. We encourage patients to park
in the front lot of the health system near the nursing facility, which
assists with discharging when a wheelchair is required. All of our patients
are preregistered for surgery and undergo a thorough prescreening, nursing,
and medical history prior to surgery. Our department is equipped to handle
emergency issues and has 24-hour anesthesia coverage.
The Surgical
Services Department invites you to tour the department prior to your
procedure so you have the chance to meet the qualified staff that will be
providing your care and to answer questions regarding your surgical
procedure.
Pre-Op Instructions
You will be notified by telephone 48 business hours before surgery to tell
you what time you are to arrive on the day of surgery. If you know that you
will not be at home, you may call 585-786-8940 Ext. 4605 for your time after
2:00pm. This is the time you should arrive at the hospital it is not your
surgical start time.
Before Surgery
Your physician should discuss your operation with
you and what you can and should expect this could include pre-op diagnostic
testing and anesthesia consultation.
Tell your surgeon about ALL your medications that
you are taking, including over the counter medications like vitamins,
aspirin, and herbal remedies. Your doctor will tell you which medications
you should continue to take and which medications you should stop taking
before surgery.
If you take insulin or other medications for
diabetes, you may be asked to discuss when to stop your diabetic medications
prior to surgery with your primary care physician.
Two Days Before Your Surgery
Do not shave the area to be operated on for at least
two days prior to surgery. When you shave, it can irritate your skin, and
leave small cuts, which can lead to infection. The operative site will be
prepped according to your surgeons instructions on the day of your scheduled
procedure.
If a change in your physical condition develops
prior to surgery, such as a cold, persistent cough, fever or important
changes in the condition for which you are to have surgery notify your
physician! If you wake up feeling ill the morning of surgery, please call
585-786-2233 and ask to speak to the nursing supervisor
before 6:00 am, after 6:00am ask for Ext. 4605.
The Day Before Surgery
Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to your surgery.
Make sure you have clean fresh sheets and
pillowcases on your bed.
The Day Before Surgery continued
Remove ALL nail polish from your fingers and toes.
Shower or bathe the night before surgery using
antimicrobial soap.
Wash your hair with regular shampoo.
Do not apply lotions, powders, creams, hair
products, deodorants, or Vaseline.
The Day of Your Surgery
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This
includes water, coffee, food, gum, or hard candy. If you do eat or drink,
your surgery could be cancelled.
Take only those medications that you have been
instructed to take by your surgeon or by your primary care doctor. Use the
smallest amount of water possible to swallow your pills.
You may shower or bathe again using the
antimicrobial soap. Do not apply makeup, jewelry, or hair accessories.
Remove ALL piercings.
Please leave ALL your valuables at home.
Upon arrival to the hospital please report to the
second floor nursing station.
You are encouraged to bring reading materials,
knitting, etc. to keep yourself occupied before and after your procedure.
Wear casual clothing, which can be folded to be put
on after your procedure. Make sure that they will fit over your dressing.
Zippered or button front clothing is usually better than shirts, which need
to be pulled over your head. Bring your crutches, walkers and or splints
with you.
Please make arrangements to have an adult bring you
to the hospital on the day of your procedure and to take you home after you
are discharged from the hospital. Patients will not be allowed to drive
themselves home. You should arrange to have a responsible person to stay
with you for 24 hours after you arrive home.
Children should not be brought to the hospital to
wait while a family member has surgery.
You may receive an antibiotic within one hour of
surgery. This can greatly reduce your chances of getting an infection after
surgery.
Your surgeon will also evaluate your risk of
developing blood clots and initiate measures to prevent them when necessary.
You will also meet your anesthesia provider prior to
your surgery to discuss the type of anesthesia that you will be receiving
and to answer your questions regarding anesthesia.
While you are in the hospital, SPEAK UP!
If you have questions or concerns.
Observe hand washing and glove use by the
professionals taking care of you. Do not be afraid to ask them to wash their
hands prior to providing your care or to use a new pair of gloves.
Discharge: After surgery, you will
remain in the ASU area for a period of time before discharge. This time can
be as short as one hour and as long as 6-8 hours depending on the type of
anesthesia that you received. You will be discharged according to
instructions received from your surgeon. An ASU staff member will review
your discharge instructions verbally with you and you will receive written
discharge instructions prior to your leaving the ASU department. You will be
contacted by an ASU staff member within 72 hours of your discharge to check
on how you are feeling after your surgery.
Billing
There is a set basic charge for your procedure. The
basic charge includes the use of the Ambulatory Surgery facilities,
supplies, drugs, and materials used during your stay. It does not include
the cost of ancillary services such as x-rays or lab tests.
Charges from the surgeon, anesthesiologist,
pathologist, and radiologist will be mailed to you by their own billing
offices as these physicians are self employed. These charges are not
included in the bill that you will receive from the hospital.
Questions
If you have questions about Ambulatory Surgery Unit
charges please call the hospital billing office cashier at
585-786-8940 Ext. 4411.
If you have questions or concerns, regarding care
provided in ASU or in the OR please contact Cynthia Elbow, RN Director of
Surgical Services at 585-786-8940 Ext. 4665.
We look forward to providing your surgical care
before during and after your procedure.
Thank you for choosing Wyoming County Community
Health System.