We understand that preparing for an operation can be stressful. As such, we have tried to answer some common questions about the preoperative process in our Preoperative Instruction Packet. You will also find the information below.
Type of Surgery
▪ Ambulatory Surgery: Procedures from which you are able to go home the same day without an overnight stay. Ambulatory surgery is also called outpatient surgery. The majority of surgeries performed by Dr. Corpus are ambulatory.
▪ 23-Hour Stay: Some patients may be advised to stay overnight for observation, pain control, or due to the late timing of their surgery. This will be discussed at the time of surgery.
▪ Inpatient: Surgeries with an anticipated hospital stay greater than 23-hours. If an overnight stay is planned, this will be discussed at your pre-operative appointment with Dr. Corpus.
Medical Clearance
Depending upon the planned surgical procedure and your medical history, you may be required to undergo Pre-Admission Testing, medical clearance, and/or obtain clearance from a specialty consultant such as a cardiologist or hematologist.
NO MEDICAL CLEARANCE REQUIRED
Healthy patients scheduled for ambulatory surgery are not required to undergo any special pre-admission testing.
PRE-ADMISSION TESTING (PAT)
▪ Includes blood and urine tests, x-rays, and EKG.
▪ Patients scheduled for inpatient surgery should also have a consultation with a medical doctor.
▪ Bring your medications (prescribed and over the counter) with you to the PAT appointment.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
May be obtained from your primary care doctor
▪ Once your primary care doctor clears you for surgery, they must fax our office a note indicating you are medically cleared for surgery.
▪ Medical clearance must be completed no more than 10 days prior to your scheduled surgery.
▪ All outside test results and the medical clearance note must be faxed to our office no later than the Thursday prior to your scheduled surgery.
CARDIOLOGIST CLEARANCE
Required if you have cardiac stents, a pacemaker, history of an arrhythmia, have had any kind of heart surgery, or have had a heart attack.
HEMATOLOGY RECOMMENDATIONS
May be requested if you have a personal history of blood clot (DVT or PE) or a strong family history of blood clots.
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SUBSPECIALTY RECOMMENDATIONS
May be requested by Dr. Corpus based upon specific aspects of your health history.
BLOOD THINNERS
If you take a blood thinner (Warfarin, Coumadin, Plavix, Clopidogrel, Aspirin, Heparin, Aggrenox, Lovenox, Enoxaparin, Xarelto, Rivaroxaban, etc.), you MUST have specific instructions from the prescribing physician regarding stopping and restarting of these medications. In general, we recommend these medications be discontinued approximately 7-10 days prior to your planned procedure. Please follow your prescribing doctor’s recommendations.
IMMUNIZATION RECORD
Anyone under 18 years of age must obtain a copy of the immunization records from their school or pediatrician’s office.
Medications
Please contact your medical doctor before discontinuing any medications.
▪ You may take Tylenol up to the time of surgery as needed for pain.
▪ Do NOT take anti-inflammatories (Aspirin, Naprosyn, Aleve, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.) within 10 days of surgery. These medications increase the bleeding risk during/after surgery.
▪ Do NOT take any herbal medications, natural products, or vitamin supplements (alfalfa, capsicum, celery seed, chamomile, chondroitin, clove, dandelion, dong quai, feverfew, fish oil, flax seed, gamma linoleic acid, garlic, ginger, gingko, ginseng, glucosamine, horseradish, licorice, liver oil, melatonin, onion, papain, papaya, parsley, passionflower, poplar, resveratrol, sweet cover, turmeric, willow bark, etc.) within 10 days of surgery. Many of these increase bleeding risk during/after surgery.
▪ Birth Control: may increase the risk of developing a blood clot following lower extremity surgery. It is recommended that you stop birth control until you are full weight bearing and are walking normally without crutches.
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.
DO NOT 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
WHAT TO BRING
✓ 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
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.
PREGNANCY TEST
Mandatory for all women who are menstruating and menopausal women who have menstruated within the preceding year.
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.