Pre-Op Instructions
Preparing for Surgery
- Preoperative Visit: For many surgeries, a pre-operative visit will be scheduled with the physical therapy team to provide detailed instructions regarding post-surgical needs. Topics range from post-op medical equipment needs (braces, slings, crutches, ice machines, etc.) to any exercises which need to be start prior to the first physical therapy appointment. Our pre-op team will also be able to assist in answering common questions related to the operation.
- Insurance Coverage: Our office will call for pre-certification with insurance if required. Please be advised that this process does take time. You should contact your insurance company directly with any questions regarding coverage and benefit information.
- Arrange Escort: The hospital requires that ambulatory surgery patients arrange for an escort home. You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without an escort. In some cases, surgery may be cancelled if you have not established this arrangement upon registration.
- Bring Imaging Studies: Bring any imaging studies (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) performed outside of OSF/Great Plains with you on the day of surgery.
- Ice Machine: If an Ice Machine is pertinent to your specific post-surgical protocol, a representative will discuss this with you during your pre-operative appointment.
Day Before Surgery
- Wash Body with Hibiclens: Hibiclens is a special type of soap that kills germs on contact and can continue working for up to 24 hours. It can be purchased at your local pharmacy (www.hibiclens.com) without a prescription. Hibiclens kills the bacteria on your skin that can cause infection after surgery. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin and has been shown to reduce infection rates. Do not use if you have an allergy to chlorohexidine gluconate. Below are instructions for its use:
- Wash your hair first using using regular shampoo.
- Rinse hair and body thoroughly with warm water to remove any shampoo residue.
- Move away from the shower stream when applying Hibiclens to avoid it rinsing off too soon.
- Apply Hibiclens directly on your skin or using a wet washcloth.
- Allow Hibiclens to sit on your skin for 2-5 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
- Do not use regular soap after applying and rinsing Hibiclens.
- Do not apply any lotions to your skin.
- Eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery unless specifically instructed by an OSF representative over the phone.
- Day of Procedure Arrival Time: You will receive a call from a member of the OSF nursing staff the day before your surgery regarding the time of the procedure and when you need to arrive. In general, you should plan on arriving at the hospital 2 hours prior to the surgery start time.
- OSF determines the surgical schedule. As such, changes/delays in your OR time may occur due to unforeseen emergencies. Please be understanding of the dynamic nature of the OR schedule.
Day of Surgery
- One Small Bag which will be securely stored during surgery.
- Verification of Identity: bring a government issued identification as well as insurance cards.
- List of Medications: including prescribed, over-the counter, and herbals. Please also keep track of the last time you took each of your medications.
- Immunization Records: mandatory for those younger than 18 years.
- Telephone numbers of people you want to call.
- Primary Care Physician’s Contact Info
- Pregnancy Test: Mandatory for all women who are menstruating and menopausal women who have menstruated within the preceding year.
What to bring
- Dr. Corpus will meet with you before surgery, confirm the planned surgical procedure, answer any remaining questions, and mark the operative site with his initials.
- Anesthesia: You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to surgery and have the opportunity to ask questions about the type of anesthesia you will be receiving.
- Regional (nerve block) Anesthesia: is a technique where a portion of the patient’s body is rendered insensitive (numb) so that you don’t feel any pain during surgery. You will also be given sedation so that you sleep through the procedure, however you continue to breath on your own.
- General Anesthesia: is when you are completely asleep during the procedure, and require a breathing tube.
After Surgery
- Recovery Room (PACU): The anesthesia team and nursing staff will monitor your postoperative care and your return to full awareness. Regardless of the type of anesthesia performed, you will stay at the hospital until your condition is stable and you are safe to leave.
- Postoperative Instructions: You will be provided detailed postoperative instructions after surgery. If you wish to review general postoperative instructions and answers to frequently asked questions prior to your surgery you can do so on our website: www.peoriasportsdoc.com.
- Prescriptions: You will be given prescriptions for pain medication and any other required medications after surgery.
- Discharge: In order to be considered safe to go home you must be able to stand up and walk without feeling dizzy or lightheaded, tolerate food and drink, and be able to urinate. When you are considered safe to leave, the person escorting you home will be asked to bring the car to the main hospital entrance. OSF surgical personnel will escort you to the car and assist with your departure.
- Phone Call: You will receive a call the day after surgery to check on you and answer questions.
- First Postoperative Visit: Typically occurs 10-14 days after surgery. Please call the office to arrange.
- Post-Operative Outcomes: In an effort to improve outcomes for all patients, Dr. Corpus participates in the SOS, or Surgical Outcomes System. This is an online platform which allows Dr. Corpus to track his patients’ progress across many different operations. The data collected allows Dr. Corpus to monitor his surgical outcomes in hopes of always striving for improvement in patient care. All of the data captured is completely confidential and protected just as all other health information. You will be asked across the course of your recovery to fill out survey forms which will be sent directly to you via email. We ask your help in filling out these forms as they are helpful for us and all of our patients!
Returning To Work Or School
- This varies widely by patient and type of surgery performed.
- Many patients are able to return to sedentary work or school 3-7 days after surgery.
- You must no longer require narcotic pain medication during work/school hours.
- Dr. Corpus will determine when you may return to more physically rigorous demands.
- If you require any specific letters for work or school please let us know.
If you wish to review general postoperative instructions, they are available at www.peoriasportsdoc.com under the Patient Resources tab.
