Service

Surgical Services

Our goal is to ensure that your surgical experience is as comfortable as possible. To assist you in achieving this, we have outlined the following instructions. Please read and ensure that these are easily accessible.

Preparing for Surgery: What You Need to Know

Before undergoing any surgical procedure, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the surgery and its purpose. Your surgeon should provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Remember, it’s your surgeon’s responsibility to address your concerns and ensure that you’re fully informed beforehand. It is important to your care team that you feel fully informed of all risks, alternatives and most importantly the advantages of having the surgery or procedure. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or raise concerns about your recovery and any postoperative limitations. We’ll be happy to provide you with all the answers you need before proceeding.

Confirmation of Arrival Time

A member of the Surgery department’s staff will contact you between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) on the day before your appointment to confirm your arrival time. If you do not receive a call or if there are any last-minute changes, please contact the pre-op nurse at (479) 243-2144 or leave a message.

Arrival Time & Location
To ensure a smooth admission process, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled admission time at the Outpatient Surgery/ Women’s Services Registration Desk. After, the stoplight, use the first hospital entrance off of Morrow Street located on the right. This registration area is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm. If any labs or radiology procedures (ex. Chest x-rays, ECGs, etc.) are needed before your procedure you may be asked to have those done at this time.

Important Information Regarding Arrival Times

Please keep in mind that your scheduled arrival time on the day of your surgery/procedure does not indicate the time you will be taken in for surgery. This is because the anesthesia team will need to meet with you, and the admitting nurse will need to go over your medical history, start an IV if necessary, and perform other necessary processes to ensure a safe surgery. Furthermore, please be aware that emergencies may occur, which could cause your scheduled time to be pushed back. We will always keep you informed in such cases.

Registration Requirements

Make sure you have the following information upon check-in at the registration desk:

Photo Identification

Insurance Card

Payment for the estimated amount due

**Important:** Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who must remain present at the facility throughout the entire procedure, surgery, and recovery process.

What to Expect After Your Surgery/Procedure

Following your surgery/procedure, your appointed patient representative will receive an update from the surgeon and you will be transferred to the recovery room. Make sure to inform your accompanying family member/representative that your recovery could take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour, or until the recovery nurse confirms that it’s safe for you to be discharged. The duration of your recovery will depend on the type of anesthesia administered.
If You Are Discharged to Home
When the time comes, your family member or representative will be asked to bring your car to the loading area of the Outpatient Surgery entrance and a care team member will take you to the vehicle using a wheelchair. You will be given a discharge envelope which will include all the necessary information for your after care, including discharge instructions (yellow copy), medication reconciliation form which explains the medications you need to continue or stop, any prescriptions the surgeon may have prescribed and information and education regarding your surgery and newly prescribed medications.
If You Are Being Admitted
If you are being admitted, the nurse will notify your family member or representative of your room number once you have been settled in.

Featured Staff

Dee Matejek, RN

Clinical Director