We will do all we can to make your or your family member's experience here as pleasant and comfortable as possible. The following information and instructions will inform and help you prepare for surgery.

Before Your Visit

Scheduling Your Procedure
    After you and your physician have determined your need for care at Emerald Coast Surgery Center, your physician's office will call us and schedule your procedure. They will give us the information we need to register you for surgery. You will need to come into Emerald Coast Surgery Center prior to your surgery to pre-register.  Please bring your insurance cards, a list of medications you are taking and any paperwork given to you by your physician.  You will be asked to fill complete a health history questionnaire listing medical problems, current medications, past surgeries, allergies to medications or reactions to past anesthetics.  Please let the receptionist know whether your surgeon requires a chest X-ray, EKG, or other laboratory work prior to your procedure.  

We will need the following information at least 5 days prior, and a minimum of 3 days prior to surgery date: 

·         For all patients - we need demographic information, including address, social security number, DOB, emergency contact, home and work phone, employer, etc.

·         If we are filing insurance for you - we will need Insurance information, including ID numbers, group numbers, phone number, and address of where claims need to go in order to verify your benefits.  (We will need copy of insurance cards and Drivers License as well)

·              

    If you have no major health problems and do not have concerns about your procedure, your registration information may be taken by phone.  Contact the pre-admission nurse the day prior to your procedure at (850)-863-7887 between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.  If you have not been contacted by the 3 pm the day prior to your procedure, please call the surgery center at (850)-863-7887.

Cosmetic Surgery

     All Cosmetic procedure fees will be due on or before the date of surgery.  If any cosmetic procedures are performed in addition to what is originally scheduled, you will receive charges for this as well.  

Information About Your Care
    Preparing for your surgery is very important. To reduce the risk of any complications during your surgery and to insure your comfort, please carefully follow the instructions below.

Preoperative Phone Call
    You will receive a phone call from our pre-admission nurse 1-2 days prior to your surgery (if you did not register in-person at the surgery center) depending on the type of procedure scheduled. The nurse will ask you questions regarding your health history and verify the correct time of your surgery. You may ask the nurse any questions that you have. If you do not receive a phone call by 3 pm the day prior to your procedure, please call (850) 863-7887.

What to wear
    Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home. Wear simple, loose button up clothing and slip-on shoes to ensure your comfort. If you are having surgery on one of your extremities, please remove nail polish on the operative hand or foot.  Please DO NOT wear jewelry, makeup, contact lenses, perfume, or aftershave.  You are encouraged to bring reading material. Also, please bring your insurance card.  Dentures will need to be removed if you are having a general anesthetic for your procedure.

Changes in your Health
    Please report any changes in your health to your surgeon, even minor changes such as a cough, cold or fever.

Food or Drink
    DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SURGERY (INCLUDING GUM OR MINTS). If your surgeon gave you different instructions please follow those orders.

Medications
    Routine oral medications should be taken with a sip of water on the day of surgery. Please take heart medications and seizure medications. If you are a diabetic on either oral medications or insulin, please consult your physician for instructions for the day of surgery. If you take coumadin, your surgeon will give you instructions when you should stop and restart your medicine. Bring any inhaler you may use with you to the surgery center. Notify your physician if you are taking, herbs, vitamins or diet supplements and follow the instructions given to you.

Pregnancy
    If you suspect you may be pregnant, please notify your surgeon immediately. Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing fetus.  A urine pregnancy test will be performed the day of surgery for all women of child-bearing age.  Exceptions are those who have had a tubal ligation or a hysterectomy.  Please come prepared to provide a urine sample for the test.

Transportation
    You will need to have a driver on the day of surgery for the trip home and you should not stay alone after surgery. Transportation and personal arrangements should be made prior to coming to the surgery center. Please bring your driver's name and contact number so the nursing personnel may contact your driver if needed.  If your procedure is scheduled for less than 1 hour, we ask that your ride home remains at the surgery center throughout your procedure.  If you have general anesthesia, you will need someone to remain with you for 24 hours after your procedure.
    You will not be allowed to leave the surgery center unless you have an escort or transportation of some sort. You may not take a taxi home unless you have an escort.
If you need assistance with transportation, please call the surgery center at 850-863-7887.

Visitors/Refreshments
    For the privacy of patients, an adult may only have one visitor at the bedside. Pediatric patients may have two visitors at the bedside.  Refreshments are available in the lobby.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery

Arrival
   Ample parking is available directly in front of our building.  Please enter the surgery center through the double doors under the portico.

Registration Area
    You will check in with the receptionist and give her/him your health insurance card. Paperwork will be completed that initiates you medical record. Also, during the admitting process you will be given a copy of Emerald Coast Surgery Center's Privacy Notice. We will ask you to sign an acknowledgment you received the notice.  

Preoperative Holding Area
    You will be escorted to a changing area and will be asked to remove all clothing and jewelry, and a hospital gown will be given to you.  The nurse will take vital signs, do a nursing assessment, answer any questions and provide any instructions you may need at this time. If you require the care of an anesthesiologist, they will speak with you before your surgery in the Pre-operative area. The anesthesiologist will review your history, discuss the anesthesia plan, and answer all questions related to the type of anesthesia you will receive. Patients who are having only local anesthesia will not have an anesthesiologist on their case. After preparation for surgery is complete, a family member may sit with you until time for your surgery. Delays are rare but can happen. We appreciate your patience.

Your Procedure
    When it is time for your procedure, clinical staff will escort you by gurney to the operating room. Once in the operating room, you will either stay on the gurney or be assisted to another bed for your procedure. You will be monitored throughout your procedure and our staff will ensure your privacy.

Recovery Room
    Once your procedure is complete, you will be transferred to our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room) for observation. The type of anesthesia you receive will determine your length of stay and overall postoperative course. The nursing staff will continuously monitor your vital signs and do all they can to keep you comfortable.

    You and your escort will be given printed discharge instructions for your care at home. The staff will review the instructions that will include activity restrictions, diet, pain medicine, a follow-up with your physician and any adverse signs to watch for and to report to your surgeon. A prescription may or may not be given to you in the Recovery Room depending on your surgeon's orders. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home.
    Depending on the type of anesthesia you need, your stay in the recovery room can range from 15 minutes to a few hours. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home. Our goal is to get you safely home as soon as possible where you'll be the most comfortable resting and recovering.