Welcome To Manatee Surgical Center
Thank you for choosing Manatee Surgical Center for your procedure. Our expert team will work hard to ensure that you feel at ease and comfortable while you are with us.

Our goal is to provide you with the best, most effective care so that you can return to your normal activities as quickly as possible. If you have any questions or concerns while you are in our care, we encourage you to ask any member of our team. We will be happy to answer your questions or to assist you.

The information contained in this booklet applies to all patients who are here for surgery, endoscopy, or pain relief procedures. We hope that it is helpful in preparing you for your procedure or treatment. If you have specific questions that are not answered here, please ask your physician, or call the preoperative (Pre-Op) nurse at 941 745-2727.

Convenient Pre-Registration
Please visit the surgical center one week before your procedure between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to pre-register. Bring your insurance card and a photo identification card such as your driver's license.

Preparation For Your Procedure
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your procedure, unless you have been given special instructions by your physician or our Pre-Op nurse.

This is extremely important. You could have serious complications if your stomach is not empty during surgery. Please ask your physician or call the Pre-Op nurse at Manatee Surgical Center if you have questions about eating and drinking before your procedure.

Children are scheduled as early in the day as possible. If your child is having surgery, please be sure that he or she does not eat or drink anything after midnight. If your child is an infant, our anesthesiologist may have additional instructions for you.

If you or your child are taking medication for heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes, our Pre-Op nurse will contact you to discuss proper instructions about taking the medication on the day of surgery.

If you develop any changes in your health between the Pre-Op visit to your physician and the day of the procedure, notify your physician. Please report even minor changes such as an elevated temperature, cough, or cold. If you suspect that you are pregnant, please notify your physician.

Parents: it's a good idea to bring a change of clothing for your child, and have, if possible, another adult to assist in accompanying your child home.

Secure a driver before your surgery
IMPORTANT: For your own safety and protection, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle immediately following your procedure. Please make arrangements to have someone bring you to and escort you home from the surgical center. Verification of the driver will be made prior to any procedure requiring sedation. Your surgery will be cancelled if you fail to have a responsible driver to take you home.

Day Of Your Procedure
Bathe or shower and brush your teeth the morning of your surgery. Do not swallow any water. Nail polish and contact lenses should be removed. Do not use perfumes, colognes, or body lotions.

Wear warm, loose fitting comfortable clothes. Shirts with front buttons or zippers are best. Wear socks to keep your feet warm and sensible shoes to allow safe walking.

Leave valuables at home. There is no safe storage area for these items. Remove all jewelry and body piercing studs before leaving for the center. If your tongue is pierced, remove the stud. In case of an emergency, the stud can be an obstruction for placing lifesaving breathing instruments.

Limit the number of people accompanying you. To maximize the comfort of everyone waiting, we request that only one person come with you.

If you have not pre-registered at the surgical center, be sure to bring your insurance card and a photo identification card such as a driver's license with you the day of your procedure.

Female patients: be prepared to give a urine sample. All female patients who have menstrual periods, regardless of age, will have a urine pregnancy test done prior to beginning any procedure.

It is normal to feel anxious or a little nervous before your procedure.

In the Pre-Op area you will be asked the name of your physician and to state what procedure you are to have. This is done to help ensure that you have been properly informed. If you are unclear about your procedure, this is the time to ask questions. We will be happy to ask your physician to speak to you.

Before anything else is done a member of our Pre-Op team will ask you to sign two consent forms. One gives the Manatee Surgical Center your permission to perform the procedure and the other is to allow the anesthesia team to care for you during the procedure.

After Your Procedure
Following your procedure, you will be moved to our fully equipped recovery area. There, you will be closely monitored by our anesthesia and nursing team. The length of stay varies, and many patients are discharged within 30 minutes after their procedure.

We will bring one designated family member to the PACU (recovery room) when the patient is stable. If our nurse is to contact the family member, he or she should remain in the waiting room or on the outdoor benches, NOT in a vehicle in the parking lot.

After You Return Home
Your recovery room nurse will provide you with post-procedure instructions regarding diet, rest, and medication. Plan to have someone stay with you for at least 12 hours following your procedure, and pamper yourself during this time.

Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving anesthetic medication, we also recommend that you postpone the following activities for 24 hours after your procedure:

• Driving and operating equipment
• Signing important papers or making significant decisions
• Drinking alcoholic beverages

Some Helpful Suggestions
If your physician has given you a prescription, have it filled before your procedure. Then, after you return home, you will have the medication available when you need it.

It is not unusual to forget small details, so write down any questions you may have and bring them with you. We will be happy to provide you with appropriate information.

It is a good idea to have someone stay with you for the first 12 hours after you return home. Rest and pamper yourself during this time.

Advance Directives
Manatee Surgical Center will, to the maximum extent practicable, honor a patient's advance directives. In the unlikely event that a patient's condition deteriorates while at Manatee Surgical Center, resuscitation of the patient will be attempted, with subsequent transfer to Manatee Memorial Hospital where the patient's advance directives will be honored. If the patient refuses to accept this limitation, he or she can be referred to a facility that will honor his or her advance directives.

Patient's Rights and Responsibilities
Better communication between the patient and the health care provider is always a priority to the Manatee Surgical Center team. Section 381.026, Florida Statutes, addresses the Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. Here is a link to access the full text of this law: Florida Statutes, Section 381.026. Below is a summary of your rights and responsibilities.

A patient has the right to:

• Be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his or her dignity, and with protection of privacy.
• Receive a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.
• Know who is providing medical services and who is responsible for his or her care.
• Know what patient support services are available, including if an interpreter is available if the patient does not speak English.
• Know what rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct.
• Be given by the health care provider information such as diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
• Refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
• Be given full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for care.
• Know whether the health care provider or facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate, if the patient is covered by Medicare.
• Receive prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
• Receive a copy of an understandable itemized bill and, if requested, to have the charges explained.
• Receive medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.
• Receive treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
• Know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental research and to give his or her consent or refusal to participate in such research.
• Express complaints regarding any violation of his or her rights.

A patient is responsible for:

• Giving the health care provider accurate information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and any other information about his or her health.
• Reporting unexpected changes in his or her condition to the health care provider.
• Reporting to the health care provider whether he or she understands a planned course of action and what is expected of him or her.
• Following the treatment plan recommended by the health care provider.
• Keeping appointments and, when unable to do so, notifying the health care provider or facility.
• His or her actions if treatment is refused or if the patient does not follow the health care provider's instructions.
• Making sure financial responsibilities are carried out.
• Following health care facility conduct rules and regulations.

HIPAA
More detailed information about Protected Health Information (PHI) is in a separate brochure that all patients receive titled, "Protecting Your Health Information" which complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Filing a complaint

• If you have a complaint against a hospital or ambulatory surgical center, call the Consumer Assistance Unit Health facility complaint hot line at 1.850.487.3183 or 1.888.419.3456 or write to the Agency for Health Care Administration, Consumer Assistance Unit, 2727 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310.
• If you have a complaint against a physician, call the Medical Quality Assurance, Consumer Services office at 1.850.414.7209 or write to Agency for Health Care Administration, Medical Quality Assurance Consumer Services, 2727 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310. Call toll free at 1.888.419.3456 to check the status of complaints.
• All Medicare beneficiaries may file a complaint or grievance, on the quality of care or other services provided from a Medicare provider at www.Medicare.gov/claims-appeals.
  
  The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman (MBO) helps you with Medicare-related complaints, grievances and information requests. The MBO makes sure you have information related to your Medicare rights and protections and how you can get your concerns resolved at
  www.cms.gov/Center/Special-Topic/Ombudsman/Medicare-Beneficiary-Ombudsman-Home.

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
The information regarding Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills is available here. Click here to view a PDF version of the document.

Notice of Nondiscrimination
The information regarding Notice of Nondiscrimination is available here: click to view notice.

Notice of Availability
The information regarding Notice of Availability is available here: click to view notice.