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Welcome to the Grand Valley Surgical Center
Our Mission is
to provide compassionate, high quality, cost-effective patient care that meets
or exceeds the expectations of our patients, physicians and employees.
We are excited that you have chosen the
Grand Valley Surgical Center for your procedure. It is our goal to deliver the
highest quality of care to you and your family. This pamphlet is designed to
help answer some of the questions you may have as you prepare for your surgery.
We encourage you to bring along your family, however, space is limited in our
pre-operative and post-operative rooms. Therefore, we may need to limit
visitors to two at a time. We have a large waiting room for your family and
friends and a variety of reading materials. Young children may find the wait too
long and the atmosphere too restrictive, so it may be better to find an
alternative to bringing them to the surgery center.
Wireless internet is available for you and
your guests
Pain
Management
In addition to high quality surgical
services, the Grand Valley Surgical Center also offers procedures for pain
management coordinated through your physician specializing in pain treatment.
Additional information can be obtained at our
website
www.grandvalleysurgicalcenter.com
or by contacting us at (970) 255-7824.
Before Your Surgery
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If your surgeon has given you orders for
blood tests or an EKG, please arrange to have the tests completed according
to his/her instructions and before the day of your surgery.
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One of our nurses will call you one to two
business days before your surgery. The purpose of this call is to get a
short medical history so we can meet your needs and answer any questions you
may have. We will also reinforce the instructions your surgeon has given
you. Also plan to share any advance directive that you may have in place.
If you do not plan to be home, please call the surgical center during our
regular business hours M-F 7:30 am - 5:00 pm (970) 255-7876 or toll free
(800) 458-3888 ext. 7876 two days prior to your surgery.
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If you will need crutches or any special
equipment after your surgery please make arrangements to have them before
your surgery. Please bring them with you to the surgical center for teaching
purposes.
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If your surgeon has given you prescriptions
for medications to take after your surgery, you should have them filled
before your surgery. You may bring your prescribed pain medication with you
to the surgical center.
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Arrange for someone to drive you home.
For your own safety, you will not be permitted to leave alone. Patients
sometimes feel a little drowsy, and perhaps dizzy, for several hours after
their surgery and therefore are not allowed to drive for 24 hours after
surgery. It is also important for someone to stay with you for the first 24
hours after surgery. If you live alone, please arrange to have a friend or
relative stay with you.
The Day of Surgery
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Do not bring valuables (jewelry, money, etc.)
to the surgical center.
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Please bathe or shower the morning of your
surgery. Dress in loose, comfortable clothing that will be easy to put on
after surgery. Avoid make-up and body lotion.
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Unless the instructions from your surgeon
state otherwise, do not eat food or drink after
midnight before your surgery.
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Clear liquids are liquids that you can see
through such as black coffee, tea, apple or cranberry juice, and water.
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Do not use tobacco products, gum, or hard
candy/mints the day of your surgery.
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Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs for 24
hours before your surgery.
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Plan to arrive at the surgical center 1 hour
before your scheduled surgery time unless otherwise instructed.
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Please park in Lot J located at the South
East corner of 7th and Patterson.
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Check in at the reception desk. You will be
asked to verify your personal and billing information and sign some forms.
Please bring your insurance information with you.
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We will escort you to the pre-operative area
where a registered nurse will prepare you for surgery.
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The anesthesiologist will visit with you
prior to the surgery to discuss your anesthesia and answer questions.
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The operating room nurse will meet with you
and take you into the operating room.
After Your Surgery
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After surgery you will be brought to the
recovery area where you will be monitored until you are ready to go home.
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Pain control is very important to your
recovery. Your nurse will give you medication to help control any pain, so
you must let her know how you are feeling. Rating any pain on a scale of 0
to 10 (with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain) will
help the nurse determine the most appropriate medication.
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Your nurse will also have medication to treat
other side effects you may experience from your anesthesia, such as nausea.
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You should be ready to go home when your
vital signs are stable and pain and nausea are under control. Before you
leave, your nurse will go over the home care instructions with you and
another responsible person. You will be given a written copy to take with
you.
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Remember, if you’ve had anesthesia or any
sedation, you cannot drive yourself home.
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A nurse will attempt to call you the next
business day to see how you are feeling and if you are experiencing any
complications from your procedure.
Special instructions for Children
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Bring a comfort item such as a favorite toy
or stuffed animal.
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If your child uses a bottle, bring the bottle
and his or her usual formula.
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You will be asked to remain in the
surgical center throughout your child’s stay.
After you get home
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Take your pain medication according to the
directions.
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Plan on going directly home and resting for
the remainder of the day.
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Unless otherwise instructed, walking short
distances in your home helps prevent complications by promoting circulation
in your legs. Your surgeon will instruct you on resuming your normal
activities.
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If you are required to be inactive, it is
important to take frequent deep breaths and move your legs.
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If your surgery was on an arm or leg, keep it
elevated as much as possible.
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You may resume your normal eating habits as
soon as you feel able. If you are still experiencing some nausea, try small
amounts of clear liquids until the nausea passes.
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Do not drive or drink alcohol until you have
stopped taking your pain medication.
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Please contact your surgeon’s office if
any of the following symptoms develop:
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Excessive bleeding
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Temperature greater than 101° for 24 hours
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Ineffective pain control
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Prolonged nausea or vomiting
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Circulation problems in the operative area
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Inability to urinate
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Any surgery-related problem
IF IN DOUBT…….CALL.
If you feel you are having a severe
complication and cannot reach your surgeon, call 911 or have someone take you to
the emergency room immediately.
Insurance and Billing
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If you would like an estimate of your procedure cost prior to
treatment, need to make payment arrangements, or have billing questions,
please contact our billing department at (970) 255-7807 Monday - Friday 8:00
am - 5:00 pm.
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The Surgical Center will bill your insurance for direct
payment from your carrier when you provide us with the correct billing
information. Our facility has contracts with most major insurance carriers.
Please check with your insurance company to determine if your surgeon,
anesthesiologist, and our facility are considered preferred providers of
your plan. You may call us for assistance as well.
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We may contact you to make financial arrangements prior to
your procedure if you do not have insurance or you have a high deductible
plan. Payment is expected at the time of service
unless a financial agreement has been arranged prior to the date of surgery.
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You will receive separate bills from your surgeon and
anesthesiologist. You may also receive a bill from a pathologist if a tissue
specimen was sent for study. Additionally some sirgical implants may be
billed by Access Mediquip. Bills must be paid directly to each provider.
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We accept most major credit cards, CareCredit®, as
well as cash and personal checks.
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We also offer CareCredit® payment plans upon
request card approval on balances greater than $300.
Your Privacy and Satisfaction
You will receive a copy of a notice of our
privacy practices that describes how medical information about you may be used
and disclosed and how you can access this information.
Your safety and satisfaction are our top
priority. Your thoughts and impressions assist us to improve services and care
for you, your family and the community at large. Please complete and return the
survey after you return home. If you wish to voice a comment or a
complaint, please contact the Administrator immediately by calling (970)
255-7800. Thank you.
Owners of the Grand Valley Surgical Center
The Center is jointly owned and operated by
physician medical staff members and St. Mary's Hospital. Together they
provide you with a quality facility, stare-of-the-art equipment and exceptional
staff.
To view a list of the physician owners,
please click here.
Printable
Patient Brochure
Smoke Free Facility
GVSC has recognized the need to
establish and maintain a clean air environment to meet the needs of its
patients, visitors and staff.
The Clean air environment extends to the
entire facility.
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