Review important information to help you prepare for your upcoming procedure.
PREPARING FOR YOUR PROCEDURE
Table of Contents TYPES OF ANESTHESIA BEFORE: ONCE YOUR PROCEDURE IS SCHEDULED BEFORE: THE DAY BEFORE DURING: THE DAY OF DURING: WHAT TO BRING DURING: WHEN YOU ARRIVE
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AFTER: WHAT TO EXPECT PEDIATRIC PROCEDURES LABOR & DELIVERY PROCEDURES BILLING INFORMATION
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THIS DOCUMENT PROVIDES BASIC INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR PROCEDURE Be sure to follow any instructions given by your surgeon, primary care physician or facility. If your surgery date changes, you have canceled your procedure, or you no longer require anesthesia, you may still receive this guide; feel free to keep it for future reference or discard. After your procedure, let your surgeon know right away if there are any changes in your condition such as cuts or scrapes near the incision/surgical site, fever, cold, sore throat, new cough, stomach flu and/or shortness of breath. Questions? Contact our Patient Advocacy team at PatientAdvocacy@usap.com or call 888-339-USAP (8727).
USAP is privileged to be a partner in your care.
USAP clinicians are advocates for your health. They will work with you to provide the best possible experience for you before, during and after your procedure. When appropriate, your care team may use special care plans called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways to help shorten your hospital stay, reduce stress from surgery, improve how your body functions, and help you recover faster. A USAP anesthesia clinician will meet with you in pre-op at your medical facility the day of your surgery. They will discuss your medical history and review your personalized anesthesia care plan. We encourage you to ask questions and provide input. During your procedure, your anesthesia clinician will be by your side to monitor you, make sure you remain safe and comfortable, and work to minimize any side effects. If you have questions and would like to speak with an anesthesia clinician before your procedure, please call your medical facility.
Types of Anesthesia After carefully reviewing the type of procedure, your medical history, and any concerns you may have, your anesthesia clinician will talk with you about the type of anesthesia that is best for you. Please keep in mind that the procedure may determine the type of anesthesia used, so to keep you safe, there may not be a choice in the anesthesia you receive. 4
THESE ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF ANESTHESIA (FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT USAP.COM): GENERAL ANESTHESIA provides a total loss of consciousness, meaning you will be fully asleep. You will not be aware of any pain or feeling during your procedure. This type of anesthesia uses a combination of IV medicine (given through a tube in your vein) and gases (that you 1
breathe through a mask or breathing tube). After, you may be given medication to help reduce nausea or vomiting and you may have a sore throat after removal of a breathing tube. MAC (MONITORED ANESTHESIA CARE OR CONSCIOUS SEDATION) uses IV medication to help you relax and decrease pain. Except for light sedation, you will likely not have any memory of the procedure. REGIONAL ANESTHESIA blocks pain to a specific area of your body. You will not feel pain, but you will also not lose consciousness (you will not be fully asleep) unless other medication is used. Your anesthesia clinician will inject medication near a nerve, and you may also get other medications through an IV to help you relax. A PERIPHERAL NERVE BLOCK stops sensation through a nerve or group of nerves. It is common for procedures on extremities (hands, feet, arms, legs), abdomen, some chest surgeries (breast, cardiac) and the face/head. EPIDURAL OR SPINAL ANESTHESIA is given through an injection in the spine to block pain for a large area of the body such as in C- sections, as well as some abdomen, hip, or leg surgeries.
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As soon as your procedure is scheduled, tell your surgeon/facility about all the prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking. Your medical team will help you know when to safely stop taking these medications before your procedure. Try to exercise. Walking for 20 to 30 minutes at least three times a week can help prepare you for a procedure by strengthening your muscles and improving your heart and lung function. Try to eat healthy foods such as lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. These will give your body the nutrients it needs while being easier to digest. Stay hydrated. Sip water throughout the day, eat water-rich fruits and vegetables, drink more water if it’s hot outside or you exercise, and decrease alcohol and caffeine. Light- colored urine indicates you're well-hydrated. Being well-hydrated can make veins easier to access for blood draws or IVs. Try to quit or decrease the amount you smoke or vape. Evidence shows that stopping smoking before and on the day of surgery decreases risks of heart, lung and wound complications. A helpful website for quitting smoking is smokefree.gov. Once Your Procedure is Scheduled
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The Day Before Your Procedure
Follow your surgeon’s/facility’s instructions about when to stop taking medications. Do not drink any alcohol. Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco. Do not use other recreational drugs. Follow your surgeon’s/facility’s instructions about when to stop eating and drinking. You should shower the evening or morning before your procedure while following any instructions you were given and using any provided soaps.
The Day of Your Procedure Discuss with your surgeon and anesthesia team when you should stop eating and drinking before your procedure. If your surgery is in the afternoon or evening, please ask your care team about having a light breakfast. Follow all medication instructions given by your surgeon/facility. Do not shave the operative area. Do not apply lotions, makeup, nail polish, hair spray, perfume, cologne, or false eyelashes. Remove ALL jewelry and body piercings. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water. Remove contacts and wear glasses, as needed.
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What to Bring
Proof of insurance
Photo identification (ID)
A form of payment (if you owe a copay)
Cases for glasses, hearing aids, etc.
Cervical collar, brace, crutches, walker, cane, etc., as instructed by your physician A list of your home medications that you can leave with the medical facility (do not bring the actual medication unless otherwise instructed) Portable oxygen device, CPAP or BiPAP machine (including mask and tubing), if applicable Pacemaker or internal defibrillator card, if applicable
A book or other quiet entertainment
The responsible adult who will drive you home and stay to support you for at least the first 24 hours after your procedure
Avoid bringing anything valuable to the medical facility unless you have someone to hold it for you.
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When You Arrive
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. No personal clothing or personal items will be allowed into the operating room. The pre-operative nurse will review your history, medications and allergies, and take your vital signs. An IV may be placed. If applicable, lab work or other tests may be conducted, and women of childbearing age may be screened for pregnancy. You will have the opportunity to meet with your anesthesia team before surgery.
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What to Expect After Your Procedure
You will be taken to the recovery room where your vital signs will be monitored. Do not get out of bed alone as you may not be able to balance or support yourself. Your comfort is important to us, so please let the nurses know if you experience pain or nausea so they can help treat it with medications and other measures like positioning. The nurses will contact your support person when your procedure is complete. Once you are well enough, your support person will be able to visit you. If you stay in the hospital after your procedure, your nursing team will work with you to incorporate safe movement and gradually reintroduce foods back into your diet. When you can go home will depend on your type of procedure, when your pain is under control, and when your vital signs are stable. Before leaving, you will be given discharge instructions for how to care for yourself post- procedure and what to do if you have any concerns or start to feel unwell. POST-CARE FEEDBACK SURVEY After your procedure, you may receive a text or email asking you to complete a short survey about your anesthesia experience. We value your feedback and use your responses to make sure we continue to provide high-quality care to our patients. Click here to learn more. 10
Pediatric Procedures
We understand that going through a surgical procedure can be stressful for children and their families. We want to assure you that your child will be in experienced and caring hands. Our clinicians will provide thorough explanations and guidance to help you have a clear understanding of what will occur before, during, and after the procedure. To reduce anxiety and increase comfort, we will also share age-appropriate information with any child who wants to participate in the discussion. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ANESTHESIA DURING PEDIATRIC PROCEDURES, VISIT: USAP.COM/PEDIATRICS
Labor & Delivery Procedures
USAP is a group of highly experienced clinicians dedicated to providing a plan of care specific to the safety of you and your baby. We understand that every woman’s labor and level of pain is unique. Many factors contribute to the level of pain relief you might need. The anesthesia team will assess your overall health and preferences to choose relief options that fit with your medical history and personal birth plan. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ANESTHESIA DURING LABOR & DELIVERY, VISIT: USAP.COM/PATIENTS/LABOR-AND-DELIVERY 11
Billing Information USAP’s billing team is dedicated to making your anesthesia billing experience as seamless as possible. The information below will help you understand your anesthesia bill.
ANESTHESIA BILLING Anesthesia services are billed separately from other medical services. The facility bill may include anesthesia charges for the equipment, drugs, and other supplies used for your care. USAP’s anesthesia bill is for the professional services provided by expert anesthesia clinicians (Anesthesiologist, CRNA and/or CAA). FOR PROCEDURES COVERED BY INSURANCE Your insurance company will be billed for your anesthesia services. We will make all reasonable efforts to obtain payment from your insurance company. Please provide complete patient and insurance information to your referring physician and facility. We use this information to submit your insurance claim. You will be responsible for the payment of any deductibles, co-payments, denied, or non-covered services. Regardless of the type of insurance coverage, patients are ultimately responsible for payment of their medical bills. FOR PROCEDURES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE If you do not have insurance, or insurance does not cover your procedure, you will be personally responsible for full and timely payment of your bill. See “Financial Assistance” information on the following page, if needed.
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CARE TEAM BILLING USAP often uses an Anesthesia Care Team, which includes a physician anesthesiologist and either a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or a certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA). In cases where an Anesthesia Care Team is involved, some insurance companies require us to send two identical claims—one for the physician and one for the CRNA/CAA. This is not a duplicate bill. The total paid for the two claims is similar to what would be paid for a single anesthesiologist if a CRNA/CAA was not involved. Your total out-of-pocket cost does not increase when we follow these insurance requirements. ESTIMATES USAP is committed to providing patients with transparent pricing so you can understand your potential out-of-pocket costs. Our Patient Advocacy team is available to offer price estimates and to answer specific questions about insurance coverage. Financial Assistance may be available if you have trouble paying your bill, regardless of whether you have insurance. USAP has a dedicated team of Patient Advocates to help patients in need of financial assistance. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.USAP.COM/PATIENT-ADVOCACY CONTACTS For any billing or insurance questions, please call the number on your statement or call us at 1-888-339-USAP(8727). FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.USAP.COM/BILLING-INFORMATION 12 FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.USAP.COM/ESTIMATES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE A PART OF YOUR CARE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: USAP.COM
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