Q: Do I have to wait until you check with my insurance carrier to schedule my surgery? Even if I know it doesn’t require prior- authorization?
A: Yes, we always check your insurance first. Insurance companies have many rules and requirements that we must follow to help you get your full insurance benefit.
Q: What if I don’t have anyone to stay with me after surgery? Can I use a taxi, rideshare, Trip Link or similar services to get home? Can my neighbor just check in on me?
A: You will need to find someone who can bring you to and stay at the surgery center during your surgery. They will need to drive you home and stay with you for the 24 hours. It is unsafe for patients to be left alone during recovery time from anesthesia as they may be light-headed, drowsy, foggy or confused and nauseated from the effects of the anesthesia and the pain medications.
Q: Why does my caregiver need to wait at the surgery center during my surgery? Can’t they drop me off and pick me up?
A: The surgeons have asked that the person responsible for you stay in the surgery center during the entire time of the surgery. This person can sit with you while you are being prepared for surgery and waiting for your surgery to start, if you wish. Your surgeon will speak with your caregiver as soon as your surgery is over. Your caregiver will also be asked to come sit with you in the step down area until you are discharged. There, the recovery room nurse will review the post-op instructions with you and your caregiver.
Q: Can I use the blood test I just had done for my surgery?
A: Maybe. Blood tests must be done within 90 days of your surgery. EKGs are generally good for 1 year.
Q: What if I need to cancel or reschedule my surgery?
A: Call the surgery schedulers as soon as you know you need to reschedule so that someone else may have your surgery date. They can help you find another date that may work better for you. You may need to repeat your lab work if you have already completed it and your new surgery date is more then 30 days away.
If you are canceling due to illness, please call and discuss it with your surgeon or the surgery schedulers before canceling your surgery. If you are sick the morning of your surgery please call the surgery center after 6am a (503) 361-3094.
Q: Can I go into the operating room with my child?
A: You are allowed to stay with your child in the pre-op area until one of the surgery nurses escorts them back to the operating room. For the safety of your child, only licensed personnel are allowed in the operating room. Remember, our staff members are very skilled with caring for all age groups.
“Have always found the staff and doctors here to be helpful. This was my first visit with Dr. Prze after Dr. Allan retired, and he was very friendly, enthusiastic, and thorough. It was obvious he had read my chart carefully before my checkup.”