Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center

General Patient Information

The staff of Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center hopes to make your visit with us a pleasant one. Our goal is to exceed your patient care and customer service expectations. Please be sure to let us know if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable. We are here to meet your needs and ensure that your surgical experience is a positive one. Scheduling of your Procedure

Scheduling of your Procedure

Your Surgeon’s office staff has scheduled your procedure. The office staff will let you know if pre-surgical testing is required prior to your surgery. If you need to cancel or change your surgical appointment please call your surgeon’s office as soon as possible.

Surgery Center Preadmission Services

Preadmission Self Assessment Questionnaire: It is very important that you complete this promptly and mail it to us in the postage paid envelope provided. The assessment includes a list of the medications you take (strength, reason, dose and frequency), allergies and your medical/surgical history. The information you provide assists us in developing a plan of care for you.
All patients require a recent History & Physical exam. You may be directed to contact your Primary Physician for this exam.
Some patients may require preadmission testing, which may include blood tests and an Electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) and/or an Anesthesia Evaluation. Your Surgeon’s office will let you know this.
If you do not require testing, or will be having testing elsewhere, a member of our staff will conduct a telephone interview with you to obtain your healthcare information.
If you have chronic medical problems, and are cared for by a Specialist, you may need to obtain a clearance from that Physician prior to your procedure.
Please let our staff know if you have a Latex Allergy, have had problems with nausea and vomiting after surgery, or if you, or a member of your family have had problems with Anesthesia.

Discharge Instructions

Most patients are discharged from our PACU/ Recovery Area within one hour after surgery. This will vary according to the type of surgery and the type of anesthesia given. Your Surgeon may see you prior to your discharge from the facility. Our nursing staff will review your discharge instructions with you and your responsible adult. You will be given a copy of these instructions, along with any prescriptions that your surgeon orders. If you received sedation, or General Anesthesia, you may feel somewhat sleepy, or dizzy, from receiving this medication, this is common after surgery. When you arrive home you should have a responsible adult remain with you for assistance.

If you should experience any postoperative problems, you will be directed to call your surgeon’s office. This telephone number will be noted on your Discharge Instructions sheet. You should not call Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center; we are not able to provide emergency care.

MAC and General Anesthesia Patients: You are advised that for 24 hours after your discharge, for your own safety, you should not:

Drive a motor vehicle or ride a bicycle
Operate machinery
Make major decisions
Drink alcoholic beverages
Take medications unless approved by your doctor

Follow-Up

Our staff will be calling you 24-48 hours after your surgery to check on your condition. You are welcome to ask any questions that you may have pertaining to your recent visit. If you do not wish to be called by our staff you must notify the admitting nurse and sign an acknowledgement that this is your wish.

Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center encourages you to keep your follow-up appointment with your Surgeon.

Patient Satisfaction

You may be asked to complete a Patient Satisfaction Survey. These are conducted on a regular basis to ensure that we are meeting our patient’s expectations. If at any time you feel that any area of our service needs improvement or attention, or if our service exceeded your expectations please contact our Administrator at 896-3815 or info@bascny.com

Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center is NYS Licensed, Medicare Certified and Accredited by the Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC). Our AAAHC certificate is a symbol of our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare; it demonstrates our commitment to our patients by measuring up to that association’s high standards.

Insurance and Financial Arrangements

Please bring all insurance cards on any visits you make to the Center.
If your insurance requires a co-payment you must be prepared to make this payment on the day of your surgery. Please remember that your insurance company determines your co-payment amount. For your convenience we accept cash, personal checks, Visa or MasterCard.
The fee for our facility includes use of the Center, nursing services, medications and supplies. The Professional services of the Surgeon, Anesthesia staff, Laboratories or Pathologists, are billed separately by those providers.
Ophthalmology patients who have selected a deluxe, multi-focal intraocular lens must be prepared to make this payment upon admission to the Center
Our Business Office is open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. The Billing staff may be reached by calling 897-0115. We welcome your calls.

Transportation

We have a very strict transportation policy that is enforced for your safety. A patient who requires sedative or general anesthesia for a surgical procedure will not be allowed to drive him or herself home. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the Center. Your surgery will be cancelled if you have not made these arrangements. The family member, or friend, who accompanies you, should plan to remain at the Surgery Center while you are here.

General Preoperative Instructions

You should follow all the Preoperative instructions you were given by your physician’s office and our Surgery Center personnel.
You should alert your doctor to any recent changes in your health, such as cold, flu, elevated temperature or exposure to communicable diseases in the days prior to your procedure.
Follow the NPO (nothing by mouth) directions you were given. It is very important that you adhere to these food and fluid restrictions. Your surgery could be cancelled if you do not follow these instructions.
Your Physician, or the Preadmission Nurse, will instruct you which of your regular medications you should take the morning of your surgery. You may take a sip of water with these medications.
A parent or legal guardian who is able to provide consent must accompany minor patients (under age 18).
Plan to arrive at the time requested by the Center. We do ask that no more than two people accompany you.
Nursing Home & ECF Patients: Please refer to our special instruction sheet.
Bring with you: any preoperative work-ups, paperwork or consents that have not been mailed to the Center, and any medications, or inhalers you may need during your stay with us.
A copy of the Health Care / Medical Power of Attorney POA should accompany patients who are unable to sign for themselves.
Please shower or bathe prior to your surgery.
Please wear comfortable, easy to change clothing. Ophthalmology patients are asked to wear short sleeved, button up the front shirts.
Patients having scrotal surgery, such as a Vasectomy, must bring an athletic supporter for postoperative use.
Leave valuables at home; do not wear jewelry or make-up. Body piercing jewelry must be removed prior to surgery.
You may be asked to remove contact lenses, glasses, dentures or other prosthetic devices prior to surgery. It is helpful to bring a contact lens case or glass case with you to store these items

Advanced Directives

It is the policy of Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center to suspend any “Do Not Resuscitate Order” during the delivery of care at this ambulatory surgery center. If the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other life threatening situations should arise, we will provide resuscitation procedures in order to preserve life and transfer you to the closest available hospital to receive a higher level of care. If you would like information on developing Advance Directives, the website listed below can assist you.
http://www.health.NY.gov

Additionally, upon request, we will provide you with official State advance directives form.

Anesthesia Services

On the day of your surgery you will be examined and interviewed by a member of our Anesthesia Team. The Anesthesiologist will review your Medical History, pertinent consults and test results. Our Anesthesiologists and Nurse Anesthetists will discuss your anesthesia plan and give you an opportunity to ask questions.

The following types of anesthesia are utilized at Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center:

Local Anesthesia - Numbs only the area being operated on and allows you to be awake during the procedure

Monitored Anesthesia - You will receive medication to make you feel comfortable during the procedure. This is often given in addition to local anesthesia

General Anesthesia - You will be asleep throughout the procedure

Day of Surgery

Please check in at our first floor registration desk. Our Receptionist will verify your personal information at this time, and, if indicated, collect your co-payment. One of our Nursing staff will escort you to the Interview area. Please be aware that due to concerns for privacy, family members will be asked to stay in our waiting area. For some patients, however, it may be helpful to have the assistance of a family member during the admission interview process. If your family finds it necessary to leave the building while you are in surgery, we ask that they check out with our receptionist and return within 45 minutes. Your Surgeon may wish to speak to your family after your procedure.

We are required to inform you that your Surgeon may have a financial interest in our Surgery Center