The Ambulatory Surgery Department has operating rooms to meet the surgical needs of every type of one-day surgical procedure. It has its own pre-operative testing area, holding area and recovery rooms. The latest in microscopic, laser, video, endoscopic and other high-tech equipment are available to surgeons within Ambulatory Surgery.

FLORIDA HOSPITAL Fish Memorial's offers surgical services in the following specialties: dental, general, gynecology, vascular, ophthalmology, orthopedics, plastic, podiatry, urology and ear, nose and throat. Our facility offers complete operating and recovery room services. Family and friends, who will be responsible for assisting you in your post procedural home care, are requested to remain in our facility during your stay.

We are staffed by professional nurses, certified technicians, board certified anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and specially trained personnel.

REGISTRATION
As our guest, you may pre-register by calling (386) 917-5053 or (386) 917-5043 to expedite your check-in the day of surgery. When you register, follow the signs to our Outpatient Services entrance, at the rear of our hospital, and proceed to the 2nd floor registration area. It is essential to have your insurance card, driver’s license and all physician paperwork available for reference.

AMBULATORY SERVICES CLINIC FOR PRE-PROCEDURAL
Many physicians require pre-procedural testing prior to your day of surgery. We provide services for electrocardiograms (EKG), lab, x-rays and preoperative education. Your visit may be scheduled by your physician’s office. If you have not been contacted by the third day prior to your procedure, please call (386) 917-5176. We are located on the 2nd floor of the Outpatient Services building, next to Registration.

Please bring any paperwork your physician has given you for your appointment. If your tests are completed somewhere other than FLORIDA HOSPITAL Fish Memorial's, our nurses will retrieve the results and call you with further instructions.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY

• Do not eat or drink after midnight the day before surgery
  unless otherwise instructed by your physician (or our nurse).
  This includes water, candy and gum.
  
• If you are taking medications, follow your physician's or
  our nurses' instructions.
  
• Do not smoke the day of your surgery.
  
• Leave all valuables at home, including money, credit cards and jewelry.
  
• Wear minimal or no make-up. Remove finger and toenail polish.
  
• If you wear dentures, glasses or contact lenses, you may
  need to remove them before surgery. Please bring the
  necessary items to store them.
  
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes.
  For breast surgery procedures, bring a sports bra or a bra
  without an underwire.
  
• Arrange for a responsible adult to be present for post-op
  instructions, to take you home and to remain with you after
  discharge. For your safety, surgery may be canceled if these
  arrangements are not made.
  
• If you are under 18 years of age and not married, you must
  have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian. A
  parent or legal guardian must remain in the facility during
  your stay.
  
• Notify your physician if your condition changes prior to
  surgery (i.e. illness, fever).
  

DAY OF SURGERY
Arrive at the time given your physician or pre-operative nurse. Proceed directly to the 2nd floor of the Outpatient Services building and check-in at the reception desk on the right.

AFTER SURGERY
You will be monitored in our Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) by our highly trained nursing staff. As you recover and meet our criteria, you will be discharged home or transported to your room in our facility. Please be aware there may be a waiting period for rooms due to patient census. One visitor at a time, at the nurse’s discretion, may be allowed to visit you in the PACU. Children under the age of 12 years old are not permitted for visitation due to privacy of other patients in nearby beds.


For the next 24 hours after your procedure, guests should not participate in
the following activities:

• Drive
  
• Play sports or participate in any strenuous activity
  
• Smoke while lying down
  
• Consume alcohol
  
• Operate power tools, machinery or appliances
  
• Cook or handle hot food or water
  
• Make important decisions or sign legal documents
  

A member of our staff will contact you to check on your progress.