Frequenty Asked Questions
What are Ambulatory Surgery Centers?
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) perform almost 6,000,000 surgeries per year. Patients who elect to have surgery in an ASC arrive the day of the procedure, have the surgery in an operating room, and recover under the care of the nursing staff, all without hospital admission. From pediatric patients to the elderly, both the patients and their families benefit from the comfortable environment of the ASC. ASCs are some of the most highly regulated health care providers in the country. Our ASC meets the State of Maryland licensure and regulatory standards.
When I return home from my procedure, will I be able to resume my usual daily activities, such as caring for my small children?
Once you return home, it is very important that you follow the home care instructions provided by your surgeon and the Center. If you’ve received anesthesia, you need to arrange for someone to stay with you for 24 hours after you return home. In addition, you may want to have assistance with caring for your children and/or pets. Check with your physician prior to your procedure regarding your schedule to resume normal activity so that you can make appropriate plans.
Who do I call if I have questions regarding my postoperative instructions?
Both your surgeon/physician and the Center will provide instructions, verbally and written, for your care at home. A nurse from the Center will attempt to call you within 24-72 hours after your procedure to check on your recovery and answer any questions you may have.
Will the physician speak with my family after surgery?
After your procedure, your physician will make every effort to speak with your family or friend to provide an update on your status. Your physician may speak with you after your procedure; however, due to the effects of anesthesia you may not recall the conversation.
When do I pay for my procedure?
Uninsured or self pay (including cosmetic procedures) patients will be asked to pay for services before the admission date unless other arrangements are made. Patients with verified insurance will be asked to pay their portion ONLY on the day of surgery.
Do you offer financing?
Co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance are generally due on your date of service. However, we do offer payment plans on a case-by-case basis. We also accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
What type of Anesthesia is used at FSC?
The types of anesthesia techniques available are many. The anesthesiologist will work with you to select techniques that will allow you to recover quickly and have few side effects while assuring your safety.
General Anesthesia: This method produces unconsciousness so that you will not feel, see or hear anything during your procedure. The medications are given through an IV line or anesthesia mask by the anesthesiologist.
Regional Anesthesia: This method results in numbness with the injection of local anesthesia around the nerves in a region of the body that will be undergoing the surgical procedure. Epidural and Spinal blocks anesthetize the abdomen and lower extremities. Other nerve blocks can be performed on the nerves of the arms or legs to anesthetize an individual extremity as well. Regional anesthesia is administered by the anesthesiologist. With this type of anesthesia, additional medication can be given that will provide comfort, make you drowsy and blur your memory.
Intravenous Sedation (IV Sedation): This method involves the use of pain medication and sedatives through an IV line given by your anesthesiologist. The surgeon will also inject local anesthesia into the skin in the area of the procedure to provide additional pain control during and after the procedure is complete.
Local Anesthesia: The surgeon will inject local anesthetic medication in the surgical site to numb the area so that you are comfortable during the procedure.
Can I drive myself after having anesthesia/sedation?
No. On discharge you
MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult who may either drive you home or accompany you home in a taxi/public transportation.
Is it possible I will wake up during General Anesthesia?
If you are having general anesthesia, you should not wake up during surgery. Your anesthesiologist and/or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will be working hard to ensure that a sufficient amount of medication is given to you to produce the state of unconsciousness that is typical of general anesthesia. During the anesthesia, you will be asleep (unconscious), perhaps even with dreaming - throughout the entire operation.
Are you fully accredited by JCAHO or AAAHC?
Yes, we have held AAAHC accreditation since 1993.
What is AAAHC Accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary process through which an organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards. The accreditation process involves self-assessment by the organization, as well as a thorough review by the Accreditation Association’s expert surveyors, who themselves have extensive experience in the ambulatory health care environment.
The accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care and that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the Accreditation Association’s high standards.
Are the Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care nurses A.C.L.S and P.A.L.S. certified?
The majority of our RN staff is A.C.L.S and P.A.L.S. certified.
Who is responsible for obtaining my referral/pre-certification authorization prior to my procedure?
Your physician’s office needs to get your referral/pre-certification authorized if it is needed. But you are ultimately responsible for making sure it is here in time for your procedure, so that your insurance will not deny payment of your bill.
