About Our Surgical Procedures
Today, thanks to technological advances, many surgical procedures are done on an outpatient basis and patients are ready to go home within 4-6 hours. Beth Israel Deaconess–Plymouth’s Day Surgery program is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind, to provide safe, high quality care that is efficient and convenient.
Day surgery has many advantages—it enables patients to recover in the comfort and support of a familiar environment, and it minimizes time away from home, time off from work and other interruptions in your day-to-day routine.
Some procedures require pre-admission testing. If this is the case, then your physician will schedule any necessary tests, along with your nursing and anesthesia interviews. All of this must be completed prior to the day of your surgery. If you do not require pre-admission testing, then your nursing and anesthesia interviews will be done on the day of your surgery. Be sure to follow the specific, individualized, pre-operative instructions given to you. If there is any significant change in your health, please notify your physician before the scheduled surgery date.
The registration process begins when your physician schedules you for pre-admission testing. When you arrive at Pre-Admission Testing, please sign in at the reception desk. Your demographic and insurance information will be reviewed and updated at this time. If you do not require pre-admission testing, you will be contacted by telephone prior to your surgery to confirm your information. Reminder: a parent or guardian must accompany patients under 18.
You will be called the evening before your surgery between 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the arrival time; or on Friday if your surgery is on a Monday.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes gum, hard candies, mints, water, coffee, juice, etc. For your own safety, if you do eat or drink anything after midnight, there is the likelihood that your surgery will be cancelled.
Please arrange to have someone drive you to and from the hospital on the day of your surgery. This person will be contacted when you are ready to leave. He or she must be available anytime during the day so you can be picked up as soon as you are ready to go home. For your safety and the safety of others, we must insist that you do not drive yourself after anesthesia.
Please leave all valuables at home and dress comfortably in warm, loose-fitting clothing. Since your hospital stay will be brief, bring as little as possible. A bathrobe, slippers and hospital gown will be provided.
Please do not wear makeup or nail polish on the day of your surgery. The natural color of your skin and fingernails gives the anesthesiologist valuable information about your condition.
If an emergency arises and your surgery is delayed, we will notify you at once. On the morning of your surgery, please arrive at the Day Surgery Unit (DSU) on time to provide our staff with adequate time to prepare you for surgery. Scheduled surgical patients are admitted in the day surgery waiting area and should report to the receptionist. The receptionist will notify the day surgery nurse when a patient arrives.
The patient will be called into the DSU to answer a few questions. After you check in, a nurse will take your temperature and blood pressure, help you get properly dressed for surgery, and administer any necessary medications. Generally, the patient remains with family until called to go to the pre-operative holding area. This is where an intravenous line will be started in preparation for anesthesia.
The physician may wish to speak with the family after surgery. For that reason, we request a phone number where a family member can be reached. Family members have the option of remaining in the waiting area or wearing a beeper provided by the day surgery staff. There is also a private room available for discussion with the physician.
After surgery, you will be transferred to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where you will be observed under the direction of the anesthesiologist until you awake. In this area, patients are closely monitored and medicated for any pain they may have.
Patients may have one visitor at a time in the PACU and visits are limited to ten minutes. The receptionist will inform the family when the patient is able to have a visitor. If an overnight stay is necessary, the patient will be transferred directly from the PACU to a room and the receptionist will provide the family with the room number. When the patient meets specific post-operative criteria, he or she will be returned to the day surgery unit. Family members will be able to visit with the patient but may be encouraged to wait in the waiting area if the patient needs to rest. The day surgery nurse will let family members know when the patient is ready to go home.
When the patient is ready to go home, the staff will telephone the designated person.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with the receptionist in the DSU.
Understanding treatment and follow-up care is vital to the healing process.
After discharge from the Day Surgery Unit (DSU), be sure to follow the physician’s instructions regarding postoperative care for your specific condition. Eat lightly, get plenty of rest and take any prescribed medications. For 24 hours after discharge (or longer if your physician advises), you should refrain from driving, using power tools, making important decisions, exercising vigorously, smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
Our goal is to make your experience as simple and pleasant as possible. Your comfort and security are our main concern. A DSU staff member will call to check on your progress within 48 hours of your surgery. If you have any questions or experience any problems after discharge, do not hesitate to call your physician. In case of emergency, call 911 and/or come to the Emergency Department.
In order to continue to provide the highest quality service to our patients and their family members, we evaluate our performance based on patient survey information. After your service at the hospital, you may receive a survey in the mail. Please complete the survey and drop it in the mail. We appreciate your time and consideration.
You will receive separate bills from the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist and any other medical specialist who provided your treatment. If you have any questions, please call the hospital’s Patient Financial Services Department at 508-830-2046.
Some insurance companies do not cover certain elective surgeries. Insurance plans may require a prepayment and/or second medical opinion. You should check with your insurance company to make sure you satisfy any pre-certification requirements.
Other Helpful Information for Families:
- Restrooms are located outside of the waiting room to the right, just past the cafeteria.
- The cafeteria is located outside of the waiting room to the right. View our cafeteria hours here.
- Snack and ATM machines are also available outside the cafeteria for your convenience.
- A coffee shop is located off the Urann Lobby on the first floor and is open 6:00 am to midnight.
- The gift shop is located on the first floor across from the reception desk. View our gift shop hours here.
- Telephones are available in the waiting areas, Urann Lobby and Bailey Lobby.
- The meditation room is located on the third floor, visitors are welcome at any time.
Watch our video about what you can expect during your surgical experience.