Our new, state-of-the- art operating rooms at Adirondack Medical Center - Saranac Lake give our surgeons the tools they need to help you. If you're planning to have inpatient surgery here, please read on to prepare.
Your physician may give you special instructions depending on whether you will undergo surgery or another type of procedure. Please follow these important instructions. Check with your physician for pre-op guidelines. Although these guidelines vary, some general advisories may include:
For your safety, unless instructed differently by your surgeon, do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, hard candy) after midnight prior to your scheduled procedure. This is essential in preventing vomiting during and after anesthesia. Your surgery or procedure may be canceled if you don't follow this guideline.
Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking. This includes all prescription medications, routinely used over-the-counter medications, and any herbal/nutritional supplements. Please do not bring your medications with you. Your physician will prescribe your medications during your hospitalization.
If you are a smoker, we strongly recommended that you quit smoking for your own health and because Adirondack Medical Center is a non-smoking facility.
Before your surgery/procedure, be sure you know the date and time you are expected to arrive at Adirondack Medical Center. In preparing for hospitalization, it is easy to overlook this important fact. You will also need to determine whether someone should accompany you to the hospital and home. If you are scheduled for same-day surgery, you may receive sedation or pain medication that will render you unable to drive or to travel alone by taxi or public transportation.
Please consult with the physician/surgeon for hospital arrival/surgery time.
The admitting office will call you before your scheduled date of service for insurance information. We always appreciate you taking the time to answer the questions so we can notify your insurance company and avoid any problems with your bill. All copays are due at the time of service.
The day before your surgery, please call the admitting office between 1 and 5 p.m. at 518-897-2322 or 518-897-2208 to find out what time you need to be at the hospital.
On the day of surgery, you can report directly to the Keet Ambulatory Care Center to prepare for your operation.
If you are scheduled for elective surgery, you may also be notified that the pre-admission nurse will call you on a specific date and time to complete your nursing assessment prior to your surgery. This should not be confused with pre-registration.
For example:
Pre-registration is done by the registration staff to get patient demographic, financial and insurance information.
Pre-admission testing is carried out by a nurse to determine your medications, previousmedical conditions, allergies, etc. before you are admitted for your surgical procedure.
For questions regarding anesthesia, please call the anesthesia pre-admission testing nurse at 518-897-2466.
Our caring staff will work to make your stay at AMC as comfortable as possible. Please keep in mind there are certain items you may want to bring with you to the hospital.
Please bring identification and insurance information (such as Blue Cross, Medicare or Medicaid) with you when you come to the hospital. If you have already spoken to a nurse about your operation, they will already have your information, but it is best to have it with you in case there are questions.
This should include a healthcare proxy or living will you may have in effect or wish to fill out before you visit.
You may bring items from home that can make you more comfortable during your stay. Items some patients bring:
For your safety, personal radios and compact disc players must be battery operated.
Our engineering department will be glad to check your equipment for safety. If you are being monitored with electrical devices, please ask your nurse before using any electrical appliance.
Please do not bring any medication from home, unless your doctor or the pre-admission testing nurse tells you to do so.
For your safety, please tell the nurse caring for you if you did bring your own medications from home. When you come to the hospital, please bring a complete list of your medicines and how much you are taking.
Valuable items, such as jewelry, watches and credit cards, should be left at home. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for them.
All body jewelry should also be removed before you come to the hospital.
We suggest that you bring only enough money to purchase magazines, newspapers and other incidentals.
Adirondack Health's continuum of care places a high priority on ensuring that every patient receives caring, competent and efficient treatment from the moment you're admitted to the time you're discharged. This commitment is supported by our hospitalist program.
A hospitalist is a medical professional who only cares for patients while they are in the hospital. These doctors or physician assistants care for patients from the time of admission through discharge.
The hospitalist program allows for your primary care physician to continually be aware of your progress when they are unable to be at the hospital.
When you are discharged from Adirondack Medical Center, the hospitalist will contact your primary care physician with a detailed report on your condition.
Upon discharge, your primary care physician will then resume responsibility for your care.
There are a variety of benefits for the patient, physicians and hospital associated with a hospitalist program.
In most cases, the patient's length of stay in the hospital can be shortened due to the immediate availability of the hospitalist on staff during the day.
There is no wait for patients to be admitted by their physician, and the hospitalist can immediately begin a treatment plan, such as ordering lab tests or medications.
A shorter recovery time allows patients to leave the hospital sooner, and, if needed, continue recovery in a more familiar and comfortable setting such as their home.
