Outpatient Surgery
Are you considering surgery? Does your surgeon perform procedures at The Medical Center of Plano? Would you like a brief overview of outpatient surgical services?
Preparing for Surgery
Your first stop in preparation for surgery at The Medical Center of Plano is likely to include registration and a visit to Preadmission Testing. Preadmission Testing ideally takes place 3-5 days prior to your scheduled surgery. Registration is conveniently located on the first floor of the main hospital. The most convenient entry point is the reserved visitors/patient parking on the north side of the emergency room. After parking, enter the building at the door marked "Registration" and proceed to the registration desk. You will be asked to provide your insurance card and driver’s license or I.D. card. You will be provided with information concerning patient rights and living wills. General consents will need signing. The registration process typically requires 20 minutes, not including wait time.
Preadmission Testing
When registration is complete, if your surgeon desires, you will be escorted to the Preadmission Testing area. In this area, nurses will assess you for conditions that may complicate your surgical experience, perform EKG, Lab testing, and arrange for a chest X-ray as ordered by your surgeon or anesthesiologist. Nurses will also discuss with you what to expect on the day of your surgery and help you determine what type of assistance you might require after discharge from the hospital.
Day of Surgery
On the day of your surgery, you will again park in the reserved visitor/patient parking. You will enter the hospital through the entrance labeled “Outpatient Surgery”. This entrance is located on the northeast corner of the facility and is visible from the parking area. All patients, who did not require hospitalization the night prior to their surgery, are prepared in this area. Those patients requiring a one or more night stay are transferred to a main hospital room after surgery.
The Outpatient Surgery area contains 16 private areas where preparation and recovery for patients going home the day of surgery is accomplished. Before your surgery, you will meet with a Registered Nurse who will discuss with you your recent health conditions, confirm that you have had nothing to eat or drink (this includes water, gum or breath mints, but not routine tooth brushing), administer an I.V. and any medications ordered by your physician. It is during this time that you will meet your operating room nurse and have the opportunity to speak with your anesthesiologist and surgeon. The entire process of preoperative check-in requires approximately 90 minutes.
You will be transported to the Operating Room that has been prepared for you on a stretcher and your family members will be directed to the surgery waiting room.
Recovery After Surgery
Upon completion of your procedure you will be transported to either Phase I or Phase II PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). Your nurse will be a specialist in the care of patients emerging from anesthetics. You will be continuously monitored for possible complications and assessed and medicated for pain or nausea if required. The process of teaching you to care for yourself after discharge will begin.
If you have questions, or would like more information about the Outpatient Surgery Department at The Medical Center of Plano, call (972) 519-1509.