Ambulatory Surgery

Patient Guide

General surgery preparation

The staff and administrators of Marshfield Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery Center are dedicated to providing you with high-quality, state-of-the-art outpatient surgical care in a friendly and caring environment. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible during and after your surgery.

Reporting for surgery

For surgeries at Marshfield Center, please report to the Ambulatory Surgery Center on the first floor of the clinic (enter through the Main Entrance).
For surgeries at Wausau Center, please report to the Ambulatory Surgery Center on the first floor of the clinic (enter through the South Entrance).
For surgeries at Minocqua Center, please report to the Ambulatory Surgery Center on the first floor of the clinic (enter through the Ambulatory Surgery Center Entrance on the north side of the building).
For surgeries at Eau Claire Surgery Center, please report to the Surgery Center at 2116 Craig Road, Entrance C.

Please arrive at your pre-arranged arrival time (not the time of your surgery). Check in time is usually 1-1½ hours prior to surgery, but can be longer, depending on your surgeon's preference.

Please be advised that your surgery may be cancelled if you do not have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the next 24 hours (Minocqua Center requires someone to stay with you overnight). You should also bring all of your medications with you on the day of your surgery - in their original containers (This is important. We may need to administer these medications to you and/or retrieve information from the bottle). We ask that you inform family members, friends and spiritual advisor(s) that Ambulatory staff is, by law, not allowed to give any information regarding your surgery or progress to anyone other than your sponsor. Please make other arrangements to keep them informed.

Preparation for surgery

Preparing for your surgery can make the day of surgery less stressful. Preadmission lab work will be determined by your surgeon. It is important to make sure you have arranged for transportation home after your surgery and to have someone to stay with you for 24 hours (Minocqua Center requires someone to stay with you overnight) for anything other than a local anesthetic with no sedation. If you are having wrist, hand, ankle or foot surgery please remove artificial nails and nail polish on that extremity before coming to the surgery center.

What to expect when you arrive

You will have to remove all of your clothing and change into a surgical gown (unless you are having cataract surgery). You may also be asked to remove dentures or glasses before surgery. If you wear contact lenses, make arrangements for their safe keeping on the day of surgery. Do not wear makeup or jewelry on the day of your surgery.

After you have changed, your blood pressure, temperature and pulse will be recorded along with a short medical history.

Some procedures require a shave and skin scrub of the surgery area. An I.V. may also be started.

There will be some waiting time after these preparations have been completed. Parents are welcome to stay with their children, but in general family members, friends, and spritual advisors are not allowed to come into the prep and holding area.

Presurgery illness and health

If at any time prior to your surgery you become ill or have developed any new health problems, please call your physician or surgeon immediately. Changes in your health may impact your surgeon’s decision to perform surgery.

For out-of-town patients

Marshfield Center: Marshfield Clinic patients are entitled to a discount at several Marshfield motels. For more information, please call Marshfield Clinic’s main reception desk in the lobby, 1-800-782-8581(ext.75536) and request a copy of "Marshfield Clinic Visitor’s Guide".

Eau Claire Center: Marshfield Clinic patients are entitled to a discount at several hotels in close proximity to the Eau Claire Surgery Center. For more information, please call the Surgery Center at 1-800-514-6238 and request a copy of the "Eau Claire Lodging Guide".

For information on other hotels in the area, contact the Chippewa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at (715) 831-2345 or (800) 532-FUNN.

Minocqua Center:Many Minocqua motels provide discounted rates and or special amenities to Minocqua Center patients and their families. For a list of participating motels, please contact the Minocqua Ambulatory Surgery Center at 1-715-358-1740

If you are having a local anesthetic

A local anesthetic injection creates numbness in the surgical area of the body. You should feel no discomfort after the anesthetic is administered or during your surgery.

Eating and drinking directions

No solid foods; milk, orange, grapefruit or tomato juice; other non-clear liquids or any alcohol after midnight on the day of the surgery. Unrestricted clear liquids; water, carbonated beverages, clear fruit juices, tea, black coffee and gelatin will be permitted until two hours (six hours at Minocqua Center) before your check in time unless you have been instructed otherwise by your surgeon.

General, regional or I.V. sedation anesthetics

In addition to local anesthesia, there are three other types of anesthetics that may be used, depending on your type of surgery.

General anesthesia

General anesthesia is administered either through an I.V. medication or inhaled gases that produce a state of unconsciousness. You will not be awake or feel discomfort during the surgery. Recovery time ranges from one to three hours.

Monitored anesthesia

You will be given sedation through an I.V. to help you relax, and a local anesthetic will be administered into the surgical area. You will feel little, if any discomfort. Recovery time is usually about one hour.

Spinal anesthesia/nerve block

A local anesthetic is injected which results in numbness. I.V. sedation may also be administered with this type of anesthesia to help you relax. Recovery time is usually about one to three hours.

Specific preparation for surgery with anesthetics

For adults

You may not have any solid foods; milk, orange, grapefruit, tomato juice or other non-clear liquids; or any alcohol after midnight on the day of surgery. Unrestricted clear liquids; water, carbonated beverages, clear fruit juices, tea, black coffee and gelatin may be permitted until two hours (six hours at Minocqua Center) before your check-in time.

Infants and toddlers up to two years of age

They may not have solid foods; orange, grapefruit, tomato juice, or other non-clear liquids after midnight on the day of surgery. Formula and milk are allowed until six hours before their check-in time. Breast milk is permitted until four hours (six hours at Minocqua Center) before their check-in time. Unrestricted clear liquids; water, carbonated beverages, clear fruit juices,and tea may be permitted until two hours (six hours at Minocqua Center) before their check-in time.

Medications

DO NOT take any aspirin, aspirin products or herbal medications for two weeks prior to your surgery unless specifically directed to do so by your surgeon. You may take all of your medications except diabetic pills or water pills the day of the surgery. Contact your surgeon or prescribing physician if you are taking any blood thinners, or if you have any other questions regarding your medications. Bring all of your medications with you the day of your surgery.

Insulin

Take no insulin the day of your surgery unless your doctor has told you to do so.

Special instructions

Bring insulin, inhalers and all prescription medications with you.
Do not chew gum, tobacco or suck on hard candy after midnight on the day of your surgery.
Remember, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours (Minocqua Center requires someone to stay with you overnight) for anything other than a local anesthetic with no sedation.
Do not wear make-up or jewelry to the surgery center.
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
Do not bring children with you.
Your sponsor/driver should not schedule appointments or plan on working the day of your surgery. They must be available for discharge instructions.

Additional instructions

Your doctor may also provide you with instructions in addition to those listed above.

Instructions for children under age 18

Bring a favorite toy or blanket for your child.
Bring bottled formula, juice, diapers, loose fitting clothing or pajamas if necessary.
If you have other children, arrange for them to follow their normal activities or stay with a friend or relative. Please do not bring them to the Surgery Center. Devote your attention to the recovering child.
It is not safe to drive while caring for a child who has had surgery. Please bring another responsible adult to help you and be prepared to stay with your child after his/her surgery until discharge.
Sponsors of children must stay in the building. Some surgeons may require sponsor to stay within the department.

Post-surgery

Following your surgery and discharge from First Phase Recovery, you will be escorted to the Recovery Lounge. Your family may join you at this time.

You will be discharged when:

Your vital signs have returned to your pre-procedure level.
You are free from all but minimal pain and nausea.
You and your sponsor have received and understand your discharge instructions.
You have a responsible individual to provide your transportation and to stay with you for 24 hours (Minocqua Center requires someone to stay with you overnight) following your surgery.
You have a follow-up appointment scheduled with your surgeon.

If your surgical area has been numbed by an anesthetic, you may not feel any discomfort. It is important that you do not injure the surgical area. Follow the instructions reviewed with you at the time of your discharge. Be sure to take your pain medication as directed when discomfort begins. Remember that you will need to rest and avoid strenuous activity when you return home.

If you have any problems after you return home, please call your surgeon. The number is provided on your discharge instruction sheet.

With your permission, a nurse will call you the day following your surgery (unless you have an appointment scheduled with your surgeon) to inquire about how you are doing.

Ambulatory surgery patient checklist

Important

Please follow these instructions for Ambulatory Surgery unless your physician has indicated otherwise. If your physician has given you different instructions, please follow his/her directions.

Before surgery

Make sure that all preadmission tests ordered by your physician are completed.
Arrange for another adult to drive you home after your procedure and stay with you for 24 hours (Minocqua Center requires someone to stay with you overnight)-unless you are having local anesthesia without sedation.
Make arrangements for the care of children. Do not plan to bring them with you to the surgery center.

24 hours before surgery

Take prescription drugs only as indicated by your physician.
Avoid taking nonprescription medications (If nonprescription medications are taken, be sure to mention this to the nurse on the nursing unit at the time of admission).
Avoid smoking - it interferes with your recovery from anesthesia.
Call your doctor if you have a fever, cold, flu, or if you do not feel well.

The evening before surgery

Eat a regular meal.
Drink nonalcoholic beverages.
Pack personal articles and comfort items you need to bring to the Ambulatory Surgery Center. Children having surgery may wish to bring a special toy, blanket, and/or book.

After midnight

Do not eat or drink anything unless instructed to do so.
Brush your teeth in the morning, but do not swallow either water or toothpaste.
For children having outpatient surgery, do not allow them to brush their teeth in the morning, unless you can be sure they will not swallow the water or toothpaste.
Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.

The morning of your surgery

Please shampoo, bathe or shower.
Brush your teeth, but be careful not to swallow any water or toothpaste.
Remove artificial nails if having surgery on that extremity.
Bring crutches if your physician has instructed you to do so.
Remove nail polish.
Wear no face makeup.
Leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes and sturdy flat shoes. Children having surgery may want to bring their own pajamas and a favorite toy.
Bring along a responsible adult to drive you home.
Arrive at the Ambulatory Surgery Center at your pre-arrange arrival time (at least one hour before your surgery unless instructed otherwise by your physician).
Bring along any medications you routinely take in their properly marked containers.
If you will be staying in the Recovery Care Center, overnight, bring along your personal hygiene items.

Your rights as a patient of Marshfield Clinic

Marshfield Clinic Ambulatory Surgery Center strongly believes that patients have the right to expect the highest quality care. (The following list of patient rights is not intended to be all-inclusive.)

Every patient has the right to:

Be treated with dignity and respect.
Privacy and confidentiality concerning their medical care.
Have their questions, concerns or complaints addressed in good faith.
Be provided with current, complete information about their diagnosis, indications for tests and procedures, treatment and alternatives, and prognosis.
Make choices and decisions regarding their medical care.
Be provided with information necessary to give informed consent prior to any procedure or treatment.
Change physicians if other qualified physicians are available.
Receive, on request, information about fees and charges, and receive an explanation of their bill, regardless of source of payment.
Receive, on request, a copy of their medical record.
Have an advance directive concerning treatment or designation of a surrogate decision maker.