Welcome

The physicians and staff at Southern New England Surgery Center welcome you to our facility. Southern New England Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center that was designed, equipped and staffed to provide the highest quality surgical care. To assist in preparing for this one-day procedure and to make your stay as comfortable as possible, we ask you to read these instructions.

Pre-Surgical Assessment

To start the pre-surgical assessment process, Southern New England Surgery Center requests that you fill out your medical history online with One Medical Passport. We recommend that you enter your medical history online as soon as your surgery has been scheduled. Once you do this, our Pre-Surgical Assessment nurse will be able to access the information you entered online. This information will assist the nurse in organizing and documenting your complete medical history to prepare for your surgery. Please review the instructions at the end of the questionnaire.

Be sure to have the following information available before starting One Medical Passport:

* Your health insurance information.
* The names, addresses and phone numbers of your physicians.
* A list of all medications you are taking, their dosage and frequency.
* A list of surgical procedures you have ever had
* The name of the surgeon who will be performing your upcoming procedure

In Preparation

Southern New England Surgery Center must have all previously requested tests and test results prior to your arrival. Please bring them with you unless your physician has taken care of this matter. Do not take any herbal or diet medications prior to surgery. It is recommended that you stop using these 2 weeks before surgery.

You must make arrangements to be driven home by a responsible adult and must also have a responsible adult with you for the next 24 hours after surgery. If these arrangements are not made, your surgery may be postponed. If you have any special needs for your day of surgery, please inform your surgeon.

Pre-Admission Call

Patients with certain medical conditions may be contacted by the pre-admission nurse in order to meet with an anesthesiologist prior to the day of service. Patients on Coumadin will be reminded to have a Coumadin level (PT/INR) done the day before the day of service and faxed to (508)761-6045.

Evening Before Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, unless otherwise instructed. You should shower or bathe before coming to the surgery center. Patients on insulin need to contact the prescribing physician for instructions.

Day of Surgery

When deciding what to wear to the surgery center, choose something comfortable that can be easily removed as you may be asked to change into a gown. If you are having hand surgery, please wear something with large sleeves. Do not use cosmetics, make-up or hair spray. Leave money and other valuables at home.

Remove all jewelry, including body piercings. If not, the Center will ask you to remove them.

Once you are at the facility, you will be asked to complete necessary paperwork, which includes authorization for the Facility to release information to your insurance company. Be sure to bring a valid insurance card and a photo ID. If not available at the time of admission, a delay in your surgery or cancellation may occur. In the case of minors (under 18 years of age), a parent or guardian must accompany the patient.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a Patient, You Have the Right to:

Considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances with recognition of your personal dignity.
Personal and informational privacy.
Confidentiality of records and disclosures. Except when required by law, you have the right to approve or refuse the release of records.
Information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, to the degree known.
The opportunity to participate in decisions involving your healthcare.
Competent, caring healthcare providers who act as your advocates.
Know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service.
Adequate education regarding self-care at home written in language you can understand.
Make decisions about medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment
Impartial access to treatment regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap, or disability.
Receive an itemized bill for all services.
Report any comments concerning the quality of services provided to you during the time spent at the facility and receive fair follow-up on your comments.
Know about any business relationships among the facility, healthcare providers, and others that might influence your care or treatment.

As a Patient, You Are Responsible for:

Providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present health status including communicable diseases and past medical history and reporting any unexpected changes to the appropriate physician(s).
Following the treatment plan recommended by the primary physician involved in your case.
Providing an adult to transport you home after surgery and an adult to be responsible for you at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Indicating whether you clearly understand a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you and ask questions when you need further information.
Your actions if you refuse treatment, leave the facility against the advice of the physician, and/or do not follow the physician’s instructions relating to your care.
Ensuring that the financial obligations of your healthcare are fulfilled as expediently as possible.
Providing information about and/or copies of any living will, power of attorney, or other directive that you desire us to know about.

No catalog of rights can guarantee the patient the kind of treatment one has a right to expect. This facility has many functions to perform, including the prevention and treatment of disease, the education of both health professionals and patients. All these activities must be conducted with an overriding concern for the patient, and, above all, the recognition of his dignity as a human being. Success in achieving this recognition assures success in the defense of the rights of the patient.

Any complaints regarding this policy should be addressed to either:

Helena Sheusi, Administrator.
or
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Office of Patient Protection
250 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4619
800-436-7757

ADVANCED DIRECTIVES

This facility does not provide implementation of advanced directives, however, the following protocol is in place:

This facility will post information at the front desk regarding our policy on advance directives.
All patients will be asked if they have advance directives.
All patients are given information regarding SNESC advance directives prior to their surgery date.
All patients will be informed that this facility does not honor advance directives.
All patients who present with advance directive (DNR order) will be asked to sign a waiver stating, “ while at SNESC the DNR order will not be honored”.
A copy of the advance directive, if applicable, will be placed in the patients chart.
All patients in life threatening situations will have life sustained at this facility and be transferred to the hospital via ambulance.
A copy of the chart (to include the advance directive waiver, if applicable) will be transferred with the patient to the hospital.

<< back to top >>