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Surgery Preparation Dos & Don’ts | Visitor Information | Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Patient Information
Preparing For Surgery
Preparing for your surgery is very important. To ensure your comfort and reduce the risk of any complications during your surgery, please read the following instructions carefully. In the event that these instructions are not followed, your surgery will be subject to cancellation. We are very concerned about your welfare.
Surgery Preparation Dos & Dont’s
Do Not
- Eat, drink or smoke anything (including candy, mints, gum or chewing tobacco) after 10PM the evening before your surgery unless your surgeon has otherwise instructed you.
- IF YOU ARE LATE or cannot keep your appointment, please notify us by calling:
- w(406) 556-9000
Do
- Bring any custody or power of attorney forms/papers on the day of surgery.
- Notify your doctor if you take Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinner.
- Notify your doctor and our staff if you have an insulin pump. Your doctor will determine if and when it needs to be disconnected. Please bring any supplies necessary to reconnect the pump.
- Notify your doctor and our staff if you have any internal or external devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.
- Notify your doctor and our staff IMMEDIATELY if you suspect you are pregnant.
- Notify your doctor and our staff of any changes in your health, even minor changes such as a cold or fever.
- Bring a list of all current medications including over the counter or herbals as well as a list of allergies. Check these medications with your pre-op nurse.
- Take your heart, breathing, seizure or high blood pressure medicine with a small sip of water the morning of surgery; bring your inhaler.
- REMOVE ALL jewelry including anklets and toe rings before coming to the facility.
- REMOVE ALL body piercing before coming to the facility.
- Bathe or shower the morning of surgery with antibacterial soap
- Bring a case and solution for storing any contact lens you wear.
- Bring a pillow or pillows for supporting operative extremity.
- Bring a favorite toy or blanket for younger patients.
- Bring a responsible adult to be with you and to drive you home.
Visitor Information
Your Surgery
It is important to have someone with you the day of your surgery for support and transportation. Space limitation makes it necessary to limit the number of visitors to two (2) per patient. Please do not bring anyone with you who has symptoms of illness such as a cough, cold or virus.
Children under the age of 14 are not permitted in patient areas without special authorization, as some of our patients should not be exposed to common childhood illnesses. Please make arrangements for your small children, or those of your care partner, to stay at home during your stay with us.
A parent or guardian should remain with younger patients at all times before and after surgery during their stay in the facility.
The surgeon will talk with your care partner following your procedure. It is important your care partner remains in your room until after the surgeon visit unless otherwise instructed.
Arrival Time
The time you are given the day before surgery is your arrival time. Waiting time prior to surgery depends on: availability of patient beds, operating rooms, and/or your surgeon. We strive to keep waiting times to a minimum; however, some delays are unavoidable.
Length of Stay
For most procedure stays, you and your care partner should plan to be at the facility for a minimum of four (4) hours.
Preparation
Once in your room, you will need to remove your clothes, dentures and contact lens. You will be given a gown to wear.
You will meet an anesthesiologist who will review your history, answer your questions and discuss the anesthesia plan. Your care partner may sit with you during your preparation for surgery if you desire.
The nurse who will be assisting your surgeon will take you to the surgery suite. Each operating room is fully equipped and staffed to handle your surgery and any possible complications.
After Surgery
You will be taken to the recovery room where you will be closely observed by nursing staff. The length of time in surgery and recovery stay depends on the type of surgery and anesthesia you were given. Each patient’s response may vary.
After Recovery
You will be taken back to your room where you will be served cold, liquid refreshments. Most patients are able to go home within one hour. Some procedures require your stay for recovery to be from one (1) to four (4) hours after surgery. It is not unusual to still feel sleepy when you are discharged.
Prior to discharge from the center, a nurse will explain your discharge instructions to you and your care partner. Following these instructions is important for a safe and expeditious recovery.
Upon leaving our facility
- You must be accompanied and driven home by an adult.
- Please plan to have someone with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
- Take all medications as directed.
- Utilize your pharmacist for further information about prescriptions.
- If you are taking an antibiotic, finish the entire prescription as directed by your physician.
- Resume your home medications as instructed by your physician.
- Most pain medications are better tolerated with food.
Questions and/or Concerns
- If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, please call your physician.
- Remember to make an appointment for a follow-up visit with your surgeon.
- A nurse from the surgery center will make attempts to call you to check on your progress and answer your questions usually within 24 to 72 hours of your procedure.
Patient Rights & Responsibilities
At Rocky Mountain Surgical
As a Rocky Mountain Surgical Center patient you have the right to:
- Accept or reject any medical care, including emergency or life-saving care
- Care and treatment that is considerate and respectful and which optimizes your comfort and dignity
- Information which is complete and easy to understand
- Privacy and confidentiality in all matters
- Participation in decisions about treatment options, benefits, risks and alternatives
- Know the names of those who caring for you
- Refuse to allow anyone other than your doctor to participate in your treatment
- Request and receive relief from pain, as agreed upon by your doctor
- Receive a response to requests, needs, concerns, complaints or grievances
- Respect for advance health care directives for our wishes regarding the care you do and do not want to receive
- Refuse to participate in educational and/or research programs
- Understand the decision to transfer you to another facility
- Review the charges for your care
As a Rocky Mountain Surgical Center patient you have the responsibility to:
- Be thoughtful of other patients and visitors.
- Be considerate and respectful of those caring for you.
- Help us care for you by providing honest, accurate and complete information regarding your medical history including information about your current health status, medications and drugs you use, previous illnesses, injuries or medical care received.
- Participate in the process of marking the correct operative site.
- Participate in your health care decisions unless you choose to give that responsibility to a family member or care partner.
- Ask questions when you do not understand.
- Cancel appointments you are not able to keep.
- Provide accurate information on insurance or method of payment for your care.
- Express concerns, provide suggestions or compliments which will help us provide high-quality care.
Physician Referral
Find a specialist for your patient
Physicians referring patients to Bridger Orthopedic please fax a physician referral and recent office notes to 844-646-2480. All imaging should be sent to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.