Ambulatory surgery centers allow patients to have elective surgery, spend an appropriate amount of time in recovery at a Center, and then continue recovery in the comfort of their home, all in the same day. Selecting an outpatient surgery center is an important decision and one that we respect.
The goal at Northwest Tucson Surgery Center is to provide patients with the most comfortable and quality-oriented surgical experience. This is achieved through the offering of a blend of licensed professionals dedicated to delivering the strictest and highest standards in healthcare, while utilizing the latest in equipment technology. Attentive personal care, excellence in patient satisfaction and quality outcomes are top priorities.
Northwest Tucson Surgery Center is a multi-specialty outpatient center that offers five (5) operating rooms, two (2) endoscopy suites and two (2) pain/treatment rooms. All of the pre-operative bays, operating rooms, and post-operative bays and are equipped to allow for complete monitoring and comfort.
Again, we understand the importance of making a critical decision when considering an outpatient surgery center. We welcome patients for a tour, introduction to our friendly staff, and the answering of any questions.
Our ultimate goal is quite simple...to be the outpatient surgery "Center of Choice" in Tucson.
Preparing for Surgery
You will be asked to arrive 1 hour before your scheduled surgical time,
but NO EARLIER than 6:00 am.
What to Expect:
- It is required that you do not eat or drink after midnight.
- We recommend that you leave all valuables at home or with a responsible party that arrives with you.
- Please bring any paperwork your doctor may have given you, such as your medical history or lab and test results.
- Please bring a list of medications you are currently taking.
- Do not use alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs starting the night before surgery. Do not use or please limit the use of tobacco products starting the night before surgery.
- Wear loose, fitting, comfortable clothing. If you are having upper body surgery, a buttoned shirt is sometimes easier than a pull over.
- Dentures, Hearing aids, Contact lenses and Glasses: For most surgeries these items cannot be worn. Please bring their cases with you for proper storage.
- Remove all jewelry (including any body jewelry) prior to arriving for surgery.
- Visitors: Please limit your visitors to two people; small children should be left at home if possible. Your visitors will be able to stay with you before surgery. Your physician may speak to your visitors after the surgery is finished. We encourage visitors to remain available at the facility so as not to miss the physician. We provide a waiting area with a T.V. and reading material. Food and drinks can be purchased at the hospital cafeteria.
- Children: A parent or guardian must accompany a minor patient to the Surgicenter. It is requested that you do not leave the facility while the child is in the surgical suite.
Surgical Suite & Recovery Room
In the Surgical Suite:
You are the most important person in the surgical suite. Your safety and comfort is
our number one priority. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to ask
the nurse that is with you. In most cases, the same nurse will be with you the entire
time you are in the surgical suite. When you first arrive in the surgical suite, it may
seem bright and the temperature may be quite cool. Warm blankets are available for your
comfort.
In the Recovery Area:
After surgery, you will be taken to the Recovery Room. You will be closely monitored
by a registered nurse for the remainder of your stay at the Surgicenter.
- Recovery time is highly individualized. Typical recovery times range from 1 hour to 2 hours depending on the type of surgery.
- Once you are fully awake, your family may be brought to the recovery area for discharge instructions.
- After surgery, our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible. It is important to remember that depending on the type of surgery you may not be completely pain free. It is important that you communicate with the Recovery Nurses any pain that you experience.
- We utilize a pain scale based on 0 - 10, zero being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you have ever experienced. Do NOT wait until your pain is unbearable to request medication, it will not be as effective.
- Depending on the type of anesthesia you receive, it is not uncommon to feel sleepy or drowsy. You may also experience dizziness or nausea. Please communicate with your nurse any of these symptoms; medication is available to counteract them.
- When you are ready to go home the nurses will review postoperative instructions with you and your family or visitor if you wish. You will receive a copy of all discharge instructions to refer back to once you get home.
Going Home:
- If you have had any medications that might make you drowsy or impair your judgment you MUST have another person drive you home. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not have a responsible party to drive you home.
- It is also recommended that you have someone stay with you the first 24 hours after surgery, should you need any assistance.
- A registered nurse will call to check on you one to two days after your procedure. The nurse will be able to answer any questions you may have.