FAQs

What do I bring to my appointment?

Please wear loose comfortable clothing and leave your valuables at home. Bring your I.D. (driver’s license) and insurance cards, the forms received and any co-pay with you when you check in at the center. Please bring a list of your current medications and dosages.

Please don’t forget that the government requires you to bring a signed copy of acknowledgement that you have received your Patient Bill of Rights, disclosure of your physician financial interest & ownership in the surgery center and advance directives disclosure. These forms must be received and acknowledged PRIOR to the day of the procedure. If you have not received these forms in advance of the day of your procedure, the procedure will be cancelled. A copy of these forms can be downloaded or read here: Patient Forms

Why do I need a driver?

It is imperative that you have a driver to take you home if you are scheduled for any procedure that involves sedation and/or anesthesia. Even though you will feel well after the procedure, your reaction time will be diminished as a result of the anesthesia or sedation. Therefore, you cannot drive the day of the procedure.

Why can’t I eat and drink before the procedure?

If you are having a colonoscopy, solid food will interfere with the visualization of the colon. This is why they put you on clear liquids the day before the procedure. No solid food is allowed six hours before any procedure and no liquid two hours before any procedure. This is for your protection. Under anesthesia you could bring up your stomach contents and it could get into your lungs, causing pneumonia.

I am taking my colon prep and I feel sick.

This is very common. Try and slow down on the speed that you are drinking the prep. Sometimes it helps to drink it on ice. If you are still sick after trying these simple maneuvers, call the doctor on-call for further advice.

Do I take my medicines?

The physician’s office will discuss this with you at the time you receive your prep instructions.

Why do I need to stop Plavix, Coumadin, and nonsteroidals?

This procedure that you are undergoing may result in removal of tissue samples. There is a risk of bleeding if tissue samples are removed. This risk is heightened if you are on blood thinners such as Coumadin, nonsteroidals, and Plavix. Please make sure you have discussed with your doctor when to stop these medications, so we can minimize any risk to you and any risk for postprocedural bleeding.

Will I need an IV?

Yes, an IV allows us to give sedation and anesthesia and allows for intravenous fluids to be given.

How do I know what my co-pay is?

The center billing department will call you and confirm the amount several days prior to your procedure. If you don’t hear from them, please call them at: (866) 809-1220 Central Time.

Why is there so much paperwork?

You do not have to look further than the recent health care bill to get an idea of why there is so much paperwork and regulations. Much of these regulations relate to patient safety; however, a significant part of the paperwork is also mandated by Medicare and government agencies. We are mandated to inform you of your rights, to inform you of the ownership of The Center (AmSurg and local physicians), and also we are mandated to inform you about our policy on advanced directives. Please see associated links for these policies. These policies need to have been received prior to the day of your procedure, to be in compliance with Medicare regulations. For your convenience, you can download and sign these documents from this web site.