CRMC-West 214 E. 23 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
CRMC-East 2600 E. 18 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
Health & Fitness 1620 E. Pershing, Cheyenne, WY 82001

(307) 634-CARE

Patient Guide to Surgical Services

.PDF fomat

Welcome to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Surgical Services.

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center knows that having surgery is a stressful event in anyone's life, not only for the person having surgery, but for loved ones as well.

You may have questions of what you can expect to happen during your stay at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC). The purpose of this guide is to try to answer common questions and give you an overview of the surgical process in order to make your surgical experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

CRMC has two primary facilities in the Cheyenne area. The main campus where you will have your surgery, CRMC-West, is located at 214 E. 23rd Street. While, CRMC-East, houses our Home Away From Home program, and is located at 2600 E. 18th Street.

Pre-Admissions/Admissions
(307) 633-7629 - phone Monday - Friday
(307) 633-6199 - fax 07:30 am - 04:00 pm

CRMC will make all reasonable attempts to complete your registration and authorization prior to your scheduled visit.

The purpose of pre-admission is to collect complete and accurate patient demographic and insurance information before your scheduled visit. This will allow the pre-admission department to complete necessary verifications and authorizations with your insurance company. It is very important that you work closely with the Pre-admission Department to insure billing accuracy.

It is important to remember that CRMC is providing services to you, the patient, and not your insurance company. In order to make it easier for you, please have the following information available at the time of your pre-admission:

• Patient Name, date of birth, Social Security Number
• Guarantor Name (responsible party for the bill), date of birth, Social Security Number
• Home address and phone number
• Work address and phone number
• Name of nearest relative
• Name of your physician
• Type of Visit
• Insurance Card(s) (so we may copy front and back)

Pre-Admissions and Admissions are located at CRMC-West on the first floor near the Emergency Room. In the main lobby, a hospital volunteer is available to provide directions if needed.

Care Clinic / Pre-Operative Testing
(307) 633-3700 - phone Monday - Friday
(307) 633-3702 - fax 07:30 am - 05:30 pm
Your doctor may have requested a pre-operative nursing visit several days prior to your surgery. This visit is performed at the Care Clinic, a specialized free* service provided by Cheyenne Regional Medical Center to assist you in preparation for your surgical experience.

While at your Care Clinic appointment, a nurse will sit down with you to:

• Obtain a medical history
• Explain tests
• Discuss your surgery
• Talk to you about post-operative care including pain management.
• Answer any additional questions you may have.

If your physician has requested, you may have:

• Blood and Lab work drawn.
• EKG.
• Chest X-Ray.
• Other tests as ordered by your physician.

Generally, your Care Clinic appointment is scheduled 1-5 days prior to your surgery and typically requires 30-40 minutes. Cardiac/Heart patients should plan on 2-3 hours. In some instances, the Care Clinic appointment is conducted over the telephone in the comfort of your own home. You may park in either the north parking lot or the parking garage. You will need to check in at Pre-Admissions before going to the Care-Clinic.

Prior to your Care Clinic appointment, please fill out the Surgical Prep Sheet located in the back of this booklet to assist you with your visit.

If your Doctor gave you any paperwork or orders specific to your surgery, please have these readily available. In order to simplify the process, please bring along this booklet and the gray folder that you received.

You may want to write down a list of any questions that you would like to ask regarding your surgery. The Care Clinic Staff is highly knowledgeable about the surgical process and your specific procedure.

* The Care Clinic visit will not incur any co-payment on your part. Blood tests, EKG's, Chest X-Ray's and other various tests will still be billed to your insurance.

If you or any family member has had previous complications from anesthesia, please notify the Care Clinic nurse at your appointment.

If you are unable to make your Care Clinic appointment, please call (307) 633-3700 - Monday - Friday

The Care Clinic is located on the 3rd floor of CRMC-West, directly across from the main elevators. Please remember to check in at Pre-Admissions as soon as you arrive at the hospital.

Also identified on the map are the Same Day Surgery desk, where you will check-in on the day of your Surgery, and the Surgical Services Family Waiting Room where family members or visitors may wait during your surgery or any other appointments you may have. Small children may come with you the day of your surgery, although it is often a good idea to have someone bring them after you have returned to your room.

Your Length Of Stay

Depending on the type of surgery that you are having performed, you may return home the same day, stay overnight, or be admitted to the hospital for careful monitoring for several days. Your Care Clinic nurse will clarify whether your stay will be classified as a/an:

• Ambulatory/Outpatient - returning home the same day after recovering.
• AM Admit - Checking in to the hospital as a planned admission for a few days.
• Observation - Remaining at the hospital for careful monitoring lasting up to 24 hours.
  

Preparing for Your Surgery

Since you will probably check-in to the hospital the day of surgery, you may need to do some preparation while still at home. We have provided several checklists to assist you with this preparation. Please review and fill these out as they will speed up your admission process and make your surgical experience smoother.

It is extremely important to follow your doctors pre-operative instructions given to you regarding when to stop eating and drinking (including candy and chewing gum). It is equally important that you refrain from using tobacco products or drinking alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours prior to your surgery. You should not take medications unless instructed to do so by your physician.

If you have any questions about taking your medications on the day of surgery, ask your physician. Many medications may be withheld without problems, although others such as cardiac, blood pressure, and seizure medications should generally be taken with a small sip of water. Individuals with diabetes should not take their insulin or "diabetes pill" unless otherwise instructed to do so by their physician.

General Information to Help You Prepare for Surgery

If you have had a similar surgery previously and still have the equipment you used in your recovery, you may want to ask your physician if he recommends you bring it to avoid unnecessary costs.

Examples of such items are;
o Elastic stockings
o Sequential compression devices
o Crutches
o Walkers
o Slings
o Any other devices that your doctor may recommend that you bring.

To ensure their safety, please leave the following items at home:
o Valuables and jewelry
o Watches
o Credit cards
o Money
o Medications (unless instructed to do so by your physician/nurse).
o Plug-in electrical appliances (like electric shaver, curling irons, hair dryers) only cordless electric shavers are permitted for personal use.

• "Remove all makeup and nail polish. Acrylic nails do not need to be removed, yet please remember to take off nail polish.
• Bring your glasses, contact lenses, dentures, hearing aids and their storage cases with you.
• Plan to arrive 1 hour and 45 minutes before your scheduled surgery time.
• If your physician has notified you that you will be able to return home after recovery, you will not be able to drive immediately after your surgery. Please have a ride home arranged. A family member or friend needs to drive you home and stay with you, or call frequently, for at least 4 hours to check on you.
• We ask that your family members assume responsibility for all your personal belongings. If your surgery requires you to stay overnight, please have family or a friend bring your personal belongings to you after your surgery.
• DO NOT take blood thinners (Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Ticlid, Plavix, or Coumadin) one week prior to surgery or as instructed by your physician.
• Please remember, as a courtesy to all our patients, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is a smoke-free facility.

General Information if Your Child is Having Surgery

• Follow all your physician's instructions on what your child should or should not eat before surgery.
• We encourage all parents to stay at the hospital during their child's surgery.
• Your child may feel more secure if you bring a comforting toy, book and/or a favorite blanket.
• Please bring bottles, sipper cups, formula and diapers for your child.

The Day of Your Surgery

The morning of your surgery, review your checklist one final time to assure that you have remembered everything. Please have everything prepared well in advance, as it is a possibility the hospital may call you to come in earlier than scheduled to maintain the overall Operating Room flow. Likewise, be courteous and be on time for your Care Clinic and Surgery appointments, as late arrivals delay following appointments.

IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS ARISE BEFORE YOUR SURGERY, PLEASE NOTIFY SAME DAY SURGERY at (307) 633-7930.

• If you become sick with cold symptoms, fever, or any other illness.
• If you have an emergency arise which may require canceling your surgery.
• If for any reason, you are running late.

Same Day Surgery

(307) 633-7930 - phone Monday - Friday
(307) 633-7719 - fax 06:00 am - 08:00 pm

The day of your surgery, you will first need to check in at the Admissions desk across from the Emergency Room. Once you have completed the necessary paperwork, you will be directed to Same Day Surgery on the third floor. You will be escorted to your room where a nurse will have you change into a gown, remove dentures or contacts, possibly start an Intravenous (IV) line and confirm the type of surgery that you are scheduled for.

You may feel that you are being asked the same question repeatedly. Please do not get frustrated as we double and triple check to assure your surgery outcome is successful.

Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you before your surgery to discuss a number of last minute details. Your surgical site will be identified using a skin marker or sticker and your surgeon will have you sign a surgical consent if you have not already done so. The anesthesiologist will interview you and evaluate which type of anesthesia is the most appropriate for you.

Operating Room

Once the surgical suite is available and ready for use, you will be taken on a stretcher to the Operating Room, where a member of the surgical team will make the final preparations and interview for your surgery. The surgical team includes your surgeon, the anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), a scrub nurse or technician, and a circulating nurse. Other members of the team may include a radiology technician, physician assistant, or additional support staff. Every member of the team is essential in ensuring a positive outcome of your surgery.

You will probably notice that the Operating Room is cooler than you might expect. Electronic equipment and monitoring devices will be placed in various positions throughout the room. Tables with blue drapes will have instruments neatly positioned in a specified order.

The surgical team will be wearing green scrubs or a sterile blue gown. Everyone in the room is wearing a mask and something covering their hair. Each of these things are done to ensure that your surgery will be performed in a safe environment, which in turn will aid you in a speedy recovery.

Once you are transferred to the surgery table and properly positioned, the anesthesiologist or CRNA will begin administering your anesthesia. After the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgery will begin.

Immediately Following Your Surgery

Depending on the type of surgery that you had, you may be taken to one of three areas to recover.

1. Patients having minor procedures, may immediately return to their Same Day Surgery room.
2. Moderately complex or complex cases will generally recover in the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU).
3. In some instances, for highly involved procedures, patients may be taken directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Your surgeon should have informed you of where you would likely recover immediately following your surgery.

You will generally spend 1-2 hours in the PACU, at which point, you will again be transferred, either back to your Same Day Surgery room, or to one of the floors if your physician would like to monitor your status for a while.

During your recovery, your surgeon will meet with your family to inform them of your condition and answer questions that they may have. Your family will most likely be able to visit as soon as you are transferred out of the PACU and either returned to your Same Day Surgery room or transferred to the floor.

Waiting Room

If family members and visitors choose not to wait for you in your room, they will find the Surgical Services Waiting Room located on the third floor down the hall from Same Day Surgery. Coffee and bagels are available, although visitors may prefer to visit the Green House Grill.

Recovery

Most patients return home a few hours after their surgery to recuperate in the comfort of their own home. Others will stay overnight or longer depending upon the type of surgery that was performed.

Whether you are recovering at home or in the hospital, your physician and nurse will assist you in creating your postoperative plan.

If you are discharged home,

• Do not take any medications other than those prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.
• Do not drive for 24 hours.
• Do not sign any important papers or make any important decisions for 24 hours.
• Have a responsible adult remain with you for approximately four hours.
• Rest.
• Follow any additional orders your physician may have given you.

NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR:

• Nausea or Vomiting
• Fever
• Excessive Bleeding
• Redness, swelling, pain or drainage around your incision site.
• Numbness or tingling below your incision site.
• Pain that is unaffected by medication or rest.
• Other concerns.

Greenhouse Grill
One of the projects that was completed with the addition of the new wing in 2003, is the addition of the Green House Grill. Located on the first floor of CRMC - West.

Normal hours of operation are:

Nights:
1:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m.
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Coffee/Snacks/Pop: 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Coffee/Snacks/Pop: 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:00 p.m. -6:45 p.m.

Home Away From Home
(307) 633-7061 - Volunteer Reception Desk Monday - Friday
(307) 633-7212 - Home Away From Home Coordinator 08:00 am - 05:00 pm

Home Away From Home is a unique CRMC service providing; low-cost, clean, comfortable lodging, meals, laundry facilities and other services to patients and family members.

Located at the CRMC-East campus at 2600 E. 18th Street, this service is ideal for out-of-town patients with early morning appointments or family members of patients requiring extended stays. Guests may check in up to 24 hours before the first scheduled procedure or admission at CRMC and may remain an additional 24 hours after discharge from CRMC and/or until released by the physician to leave Cheyenne.

All medical services represented at CRMC, including Surgical Services, Rehabilitation, Transitional Care and Hospice may consider us as an option for patients and their families. A limited number of rooms are available and are accessible on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a two room maximum (4 beds) per patient family. Children are welcome, but baby-sitting services are not available.

Home Away From Home accommodations are modest and some rooms have a shared bathroom. Only twin beds are available and most rooms do not have private showers. Within walking distance, there is a small shopping center with a grocery store and pharmacy, restaurant, movie theater and a video-rental store. Nutritious meals may also be ordered from CRMC's cafeteria which offers a well-rounded selection at a reasonable price.

There is no charge for Home Away From Home; however, guests are encouraged to make donations to help cover the costs of the service. To reserve a room or to find out more information, please call (307) 633-7061 - Volunteer Reception Desk Monday - Friday
(307) 633-7212 - Home Away From Home Coordinator 08:00 am - 05:00 pm

Pre-Operative Checklist for Patients with a Care Clinic Appointment

For Your Care Clinic Appointment

• Complete the Surgical Prep Sheet,
• Bring your Insurance Card,
• Bring any Claim forms and/or hospitalization insurance identification cards you may have received.
• If applicable, bring copies of Advance Directives, Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
• Any paperwork given to you by your physician to bring to the Care Clinic.

Arriving at the Hospital for Your Care Clinic Appointment

• Park in the north parking (24th and House Ave.) lot or the parking garage (22nd and Evans Ave).
• Check in at Pre-Admissions 15 minutes prior to your appointment

Using the main lobby elevators, go to the 3rd floor. Directly across from the elevators is the Care Clinic.

The Night Before Your Surgery

• Lay out loose-fitting, warm clothing to wear
• Remove all jewelry, nail polish, hairpins or body piercing.
• Set out glasses/contact lens/denture/hearing aid cases
• Remove excessive amounts of cash, credit cards from wallet/purse.
• Set aside any medical equipment that your physician may have recommended you bring.
• Make a list of phone numbers of people that you may want to call after your surgery.
• Review your physician's pre-operative orders concerning when to stop eating/drinking.
• Assure that you have a ride to the hospital in the morning
• For children having surgery, set out: bottle, sipper cups, formula and diapers.

If you are staying overnight, you may want to consider bringing your own pillow, slippers, toothpaste or any other non-electrical items that you have a personal preference for.

The Day of Your Surgery

• Gather together all the items that you set out the night before.
• If you are running late or have an emergency, contact the Same Day Surgery Desk at (307) 633-7930.
• DO NOT take any medications unless instructed to do so by your physician.
• Have the person bringing you park in the north parking lot or the parking garage.
• Check in at the Admissions Desk 1 hour 45 minutes prior to your surgery time.
• Proceed to the Same Day Surgery desk located on the third floor
  

Pre-Operative Checklist for Patients without a Care Clinic Appointment.

The Night Before Your Surgery

• Complete the Surgical Prep Sheet.
• Make sure you have your Insurance Card.
• Set out any Claim forms and/or hospitalization insurance identification cards you may have received.
• If applicable, set aside copies of Advance Directives, Living Wills, or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
• Make sure you have any paperwork given to you by your physician to bring with you the day of your surgery
• Lay out loose-fitting, warm clothing to wear
• Remove all jewelry, nail polish, hairpins or body piercing.
• Set out glasses/contact lens/denture/hearing aid cases
• Remove excessive amounts of cash, credit cards from wallet/purse.
• Set aside any medical equipment that your physician may have recommended you bring.
• Make a list of phone numbers of people that you may want to call after your surgery.
• Review your physician's pre-operative orders concerning when to stop eating/drinking.
• Assure that you have a ride to the hospital in the morning
• For children having surgery, set out: bottle, sipper cups, formula and diapers.

If you are staying overnight, you may want to consider bringing your own pillow, slippers, toothpaste or any other non-electrical items that you have a personal preference for.

The Day of Your Surgery

• Gather together all the items that you set out the night before.
• DO NOT take any medications unless instructed to do so by your physician.
• If you are running late or have an emergency, contact the Same Day Surgery Desk at (307) 633-7930.
• Have the person bringing you park in the north parking lot or the parking garage.
• Check in at the Admissions Desk 1 hour 45 minutes prior to your surgery time.
• Proceed to the Same Day Surgery desk located on the third floor
  

Please bring a list of medications; the list should include:

• Name,
• Dosge,
• How often you take it,
• Reason for taking (such as, headache, blood pressure, nutritional supplement),
• Any over the counter supplements should also be included.

Please provide a list of current and chronic medical problems and previous surgeries dates.
Do You Use Tobacco? Yes No Smoke? Chew? Both?
If you smoke, number of packs per day? Number of years?
Do You use Alcohol? Yes, No, How much? How often? What type?

Do you have Allergies... If Yes please bring a list with the symptoms

Disclaimer - CRMC's core values are to provide quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction to all our patients. Part of providing quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction is respecting your privacy rights and maintaining the confidentiality of your medical records. For more information on patient privacy please read our patient privacy policy. CRMC will not use or disclose your health information for any purpose not described in this Notice without your written authorization.

Health information provided on Cheyenne Regional Medical Center's web page is intended as a guideline and not as a specific medical protocol. Every actual medical situation - emergency or non-emergency - is unique to each individual, and requires the clinical judgment of a qualified physician. For more information, or clarification, we recommend that individuals contact their personal physician.

Our Web site may include information and other material prepared by other sources. We also link to other Internet sites and resources. This information and links are provided as a courtesy. We are not responsible for the availability, updating, and accuracy of any information provided on these outside sites or for the privacy or security of these outside sites.

The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor and a particular treatment plan. The material provided is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. Should you have any health-care-related question, you should contact a doctor and arrange a consultation. Any e-mail generated from this Web site may not be secure and is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. E-mail communication is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor.