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We will need to obtain your complete medical history before you are scheduled for your procedure. A member of our staff will call you to review your medical history, including allergies and medications, as well as answer any questions regarding admissions and insurance coverage.
Before Your Procedure:
- We will call you on the day before your procedure to let you know what time to arrive the next day.
- Arrange for someone to be here during your procedure and to drive you home after your procedure as well.
- Make sure a responsible adult is scheduled to stay with you for the rest of the day and through the night following surgery.
- If you have small children, please make sure child care arrangements have been made so that you can rest when you get home.
The Night Before:
- Do not eat or drink, chew gum, or suck on cough drops or hard candy after midnight. Failure to comply may mean the anesthesiologists are forced to cancel your surgery.
- If you brush your teeth, rinse your mouth without swallowing any liquid.
- If you normally take medications, check with the surgery center to see if you should take them the night before or the morning of surgery.
- If you smoke, it is recommended that you refrain from smoking the day before surgery.
The Morning Of Your Procedure:
- Shower or bathe with antibacterial soap to minimize the chance of infection.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing to make your return home more pleasant.
- Wear flat shoes; slip-on styles are best.
- Be sure to wear your hearing aids if you have them.
- Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. All piercings must be removed.
- If you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to remove them. (Bring your glasses and contact case.)
- Bring your insurance or Medicare card and a photo ID.
- You must have a responsible adult with you or your procedure may be canceled.
When You Arrive:
You will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at the reception desk in our lobby. A member of our staff will review all admissions and insurance forms with you. You will then be escorted to the preoperative area. There, your nurse will greet you, prepare you for surgery, and provide whatever assistance is needed for your comfort. After your procedure, you will recover in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Registered nurses will observe you closely and monitor your vital signs frequently until you are alert and ready to go home. Throughout this period, your family member or friend will be kept informed of your progress.
Special Precautions:
- Contact your surgeon or Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery immediately if you experience any changes in your health such as minor elevations in your temperature, a cold, or a cough.
- If you are a woman of childbearing age and suspect you may be pregnant, please notify your surgeon.
- Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing fetus.
For patients who have received general anesthesia or IV sedation:
A nurse from Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery will call you at home the next business day after your procedure to ensure that you are recovering as expected. It is important that you get plenty of rest the following day.
It takes 24 to 36 hours for the full effects of the anesthesia to dissipate. During this period, it is essential that you follow these instructions:
- You MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult when leaving the center, who may either drive you home or accompany you home in a taxi. Do not use public transportation.
- Once you arrive home, it is common to feel sleepy. It is important that you rest quietly at home for the rest of the day.
- Lie down if you feel dizzy or light-headed.
- Avoid alcohol in any form for 48 hours. Do not take alcohol with pain medications or any product containing Tylenol.
- Do not take any Tylenol or products that contain Tylenol while taking your pain medications.
- Do not operate motor vehicles, boats, power tools, or machinery, or perform any task that requires mental alertness (such as cooking) for 24 hours.
- Do not sign or enter into any legal contract for 24 hours.
- We strongly suggest that a responsible adult be with you for the rest of the day and night following your procedure.
Following a general anesthetic, you may experience some muscular aches in your back or neck area, or even develop a sore throat or stuffy nose. These symptoms are not serious and should disappear in a short time. If you have any questions or problems regarding postoperative symptoms, or any associated concerns, please call your surgeon’s office.
Thank you for choosing Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery for your pain management procedure. As your procedure day approaches, please do not hesitate to call our office at 704-831-4420 if you have any questions or concerns.
It is important to arrive at your scheduled appointment on time so that all our patients may receive their pain management procedures as planned.
Before Your Procedure:
- Notify your physician of all medications you are taking. You must stop taking the following medications five days prior to your procedure: Aspirin, Coumadin, Anti-inflammatories (Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Motrin, etc.).*
- Aggrenox must be stopped six days before your procedure.*
- Plavix must be stopped seven days before your procedure.*
- Ticlid must be stopped 14 days before your procedure.*
- Notify your physician if you currently have a fever or are taking antibiotics.
- Notify your physician of any allergies you may have. If you have an allergy to iodine, IV dye, or contrast dye, you may require medication prior to your procedure.
- Arrange for someone to bring you to your appointment. Your ride is required to remain at the center during your procedure. Your procedure may need to be rescheduled if you do not have someone present to drive you home.
The Day Of Your Procedure:
- You may eat a normal breakfast and take your normal medications, except those medications mentioned above. Consume only clear liquids during the four hours prior to your appointment.
- If you are scheduled to receive IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything six hours prior to your procedure.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Inform your nurse if you could be pregnant.
- Any co-payment or deductible dictated by your insurance carrier will be expected the day of your procedure. Please contact your insurance provider should you have questions regarding coverage.
- Please bring your insurance card and picture ID.
*Please check with your prescribing physician before discontinuing any of the above medications.
Thank you for choosing Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery. In preparation for your procedure, we need to inform you about the charges for the services that will be rendered and your obligation to pay the charges that may not be covered by your insurance company.
Insurance
As a courtesy, prior to the date of surgery, Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery will verify patient insurance coverage and benefits. We will make every effort to communicate this information to you before the surgery date. If you have any changes in your insurance policy, notify us prior to your surgery date. Please remember your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, and it is your responsibility to know the coverage and limitations of your policy, and there is no guarantee of payment. Therefore, all charges are ultimately your responsibility.
Payment
We require payment of your deductible, co-payment, and co-insurance prior to your procedure. We accept cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards, including Visa, Master Card and Discover only. Please call our office prior to your surgery date if special payment arrangements are necessary.
Please note that the fee you paid in your surgeon’s office is separate from any fees incurred at our surgery center.
Billing
Depending on the procedure, you may receive separate bills for each of the following:
- Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery – This cost includes nursing care, medications, standard supplies, and use of the operating and recovery rooms. Please note that any balance due to Carolina Center For Specialty Surgery must be paid within 60 days from the receipt of your first statement. Our billing office can be reached at (704) 831-4402.
- The surgeon’s fee for performing the surgery
- The anesthesiologist, for anesthesiology services
- Perioperative Services
- Laboratory tests or X-rays prior to the procedure
- Other care providers such as pathologist, radiologist, and/or surgical assistants
Refunds: Final charges are based on procedure(s) actually performed, which may result in a different charge than the estimate given. If our original estimate was higher than the cost of the procedure actually performed, our billing office (704-831-4402) will refund your overpayment in a timely manner.
