Before Your Surgery
A nurse from the center will contact you at least 24 hours before your scheduled procedure to review your health history, medication regimen, and pre-operative instructions.
Notify your surgeon if there is a change in your physical condition such as a cold, fever or respiratory problems.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your operation, including no hard candy, gum, mints or cigarettes. If your child is the patient, please be careful to enforce this. Also, please follow any other special instructions your surgeon may have given you. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the cancellation of your surgery.
Please be sure to tell your surgeon if you are on any type of blood thinners or aspirin. Please do not take any medications after midnight unless instructed by your surgeon or the nurse at our center.
It is extremely important to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to the Surgery Center and remain with you the first 24 hours after surgery.
The Day Of Surgery
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that will accommodate a large bandage after surgery. Wear comfortable shoes such as slip-on. Do not wear high heels.
You will need to change into a surgical gown. Only cotton underwear and bras with no underwire can be worn
Do not wear any jewelry (including body piercing), makeup, nail polish or cologne. We encourage the removal of artificial nails.
Bring your driver’s license and all insurance cards with you. If your insurance carrier requires a copay, please bring some form of payment.
Wearing contact lenses is NOT advised. Containers for removable dentures and bridgework will be provided.
If your child is having surgery, feel free to bring a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket for added assurance. Please bring a bottle or sippy cup to the center as appropriate for your child.
After Your Surgery
You will be discharged to your car by wheelchair. If anesthesia has been administered, you must have a responsible adult present at the facility to drive you home and remain with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions to include diet, activity and medications. You will be provided with a written summary of these discharge instructions.
A nurse from the Surgery Center will attempt to call you the next business day after your surgery to check on your progress and discuss any questions you may have. If you have any unexpected problems, please call your doctor. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
Advance Directives
All patients have the right to participate in their own health care decisions and to make Advance Directives or to execute Powers of Attorney that authorize others to make decisions on their behalf based on the patient’s expressed wishes when the patient is unable to make decisions or unable to communicate decisions South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center, respects and upholds those rights.
While no surgery is without risk, the procedures performed in this facility are considered to be of lower risk than those performed at an acute care hospital setting. You will discuss the specifics of your procedure with your physician who can answer your questions as to its risk, your expected recovery, and care after your surgery.
Therefore, it is our policy, regardless of the contents of any Advance Directive or instructions from a health care surrogate or attorney-in-fact, to initiate resuscitative or other stabilizing measures if an adverse event should occur during your treatment at this facility. You would be transferred to an acute care hospital for further evaluation. At the acute care hospital, further treatments or withdrawal of treatment measures already begun will be ordered in accordance with your wishes, Advance Directive or health care Power of Attorney. Your agreement with this facility’s policy will not revoke or invalidate any current health care directive or health care power of attorney.
If you wish to complete an Advance Directive, copies of the official State of Maryland forms are available at our facility.
Helpful Reminders
Please limit the number of family or friends who come with you. Seating is limited.
If you are driving more than 30 minutes, put one or two pillows in your car so you can elevate the operative extremity.
All Females of childbearing age will need to provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test, unless medically indicated.
If you or your family need the services of a foreign-language or hearing impaired interpreter, please call to arrange for one at no cost to you, prior to the day of surgery.
Billing Information
South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center will contact your insurance carrier to verify benefits prior to your procedure. The information obtained includes your copayment, deductible, and percentage of coverage. You may receive a phone call from our business office in regards to payment due.
Please remember to bring a form of payment with you. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards.
After surgery, South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center will submit your bill to your insurance company and they will send you an Explanation of Benefits. You will receive a separate bill from your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and pathologist. Please contact our business office for any questions regarding your coinsurance obligation and/or payment options.
RIGHTS OF THE PATIENT:
Every patient has the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, personal privacy, responsiveness, and timely attention to his/her needs. These rights are regardless of age, race, sex, nationality, religion, cultural or physical handicap, and personal values and beliefs.
Every patient has the right to receive information in a manner he/she understands.
Every patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy and individuality as it relates to his social, religious, and psychological well-being.
Every patient has the right to confidentiality. Every patient has the right to approve or refuse the release of medical information to any individual outside the facility, except in the case of transfer to another health facility, or as required by law or third- party payment contract.
Every patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting.
Every patient has the right to have access, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosures of his or her health information in accordance with law and regulation.
Every patient has the right to involve their family in care, treatment, services and decisions to the extent permitted by the patient or surrogate decision-maker, in accordance with law and regulation.
Every patient has the right to express grievances or complaints without fear of reprisals and expect they will be fully investigated.
Every patient is provided complete information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, alternative treatments or procedures and the possible risks, expected outcomes, and side effects associated with treatment before it’s performed. In accordance, the patient has the right to give or withhold informed consent.
Every patient has the right to make decisions regarding health care that is recommended by the physician. Accordingly, the patient may accept or refuse any recommended medical treatment.
Every patient has the right to be informed of any research or experimental projects and to refuse participation without compromise to the patient’s usual care.
Every patient has the right to appropriate treatment and care including assessment and management of pain.
Every patient has the right to understand facility charges. You have the right to an explanation of all facility charges related to your health care and to be informed of services that are available and the charges for services not covered by third-party payors
Every patient has the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
Every patient has the right to give or withhold informed consent to produce or use recordings, films, or other images of the patient for purposes other than his/her care
Every patient has the right to make Advance Directives or to execute Powers of Attorney.South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center’s Policy on Advanced Directives is made available to all patients.
Click HERE to get help with your rights and protections.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATIENT:
Patients are responsible to be honest and direct about matters that relate to them, including answering questions honestly and completely.
Patients are responsible to provide accurate past and present medical history, present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, existence of advance directive, medication and other pertinent data.
Patients agree to accept all caregivers without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender preference or handicap, or national origin.
Patients are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations for health care rendered are paid in a timely manner.
Patients are responsible to sign required consents and releases as needed.
Patients are responsible for their actions if they should refuse a treatment or procedure, or if they do not follow or understand the instructions given them by the physician or Surgery Center employees.
Patients are responsible for keeping their procedure appointment. If they anticipate a delay or must cancel, they will notify the Surgery Center as soon as possible.
Patients are responsible for the disposition of their valuables, as the Surgery Center does not assume the responsibility.
Patients are responsible to be respectful of others, or other people’s property and the property of the Surgery Center.
Patients are to observe safety and no smoking regulations.
PATIENT COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE:
We at the South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center strive to exceed your expectations. If for any reason you feel we have failed to do so, please call (678)831-4500 and ask to speak with the Nurse Administrator, or by mail to our address.
Complaints and grievances may also be filed through:
1. Department of Community Health
2 Peachtree Street, NW • Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(800) 878-6442
2. South Atlanta Ambulatory Surgical Center: Administrator
830 Eagles Landing Parkway Suite 101
Stockbridge, GA 30281-7366
Office: (678)831-4500 Fax: (678) 289-2550
3. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 4T20
Office: (404) 562-7150
4. Joint Commission
complaint@jointcommission.org
One Renaissance Boulevard • Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
5. Complaints Against Physicians:
Georgia Composite Medical Board
Enforcement Unit
2 Peachtree St., 36th Floor • Atlanta, GA 30303
Office: (404) 657-6494 Fax: (404) 463-6333
6. Complaints Against Nursing Staff:
Professional Licensing Boards Division
Georgia Board of Nursing
237 Coliseum Drive • Macon,
