Patients & Families

Insurance Registration/Verification

Prior to your scheduled surgery, we will need to obtain your current insurance coverage information. You may provide this information to one of our Registration Specialists who will contact you. On the day of surgery, please bring along a photo ID and your insurance card. If you need to contact one of our registration specialists, please call us at (319) 833-5800.

Before Your Surgery

Your physician will discuss your surgery with you during your office visit, and your procedure will be scheduled at that time. Be sure to tell your doctor about any existing medical conditions and medications you are currently taking.

In most cases, a physical exam and other testing is required to ensure you are healthy and physically prepared for surgery. Your physician’s office can help arrange this for you, typically around two weeks before the scheduled procedure.

Within a week prior to your surgery, you will receive a phone call from a member of our nursing staff to review your health history and pre-procedure instructions. It is very important that you speak with a screening nurse before your scheduled procedure for our team to review.

Health History Form

If you are a patient scheduled for surgery and need to complete a health history form, click the button below.

Preparation for Surgery

You must follow the guidelines below, otherwise your surgery may need to be rescheduled:

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. Your stomach must be empty, and this includes food, coffee, water, candy, gum and breath mints. You may brush your teeth provided nothing is swallowed. Children under the age of 12 may have clear liquids up to six hours before surgery.
Do not use alcohol or tobacco for 24 hours before and after your procedure.
Do not take anti-inflammatory medication for 1-2 weeks before your procedure. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, etc. unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe to use. Ask your doctor if you are unsure about any medication.
If you take medication(s) daily, your doctor will direct you as to which ones you need to take the day of your procedure. Bring both a list of your medications and the medications themselves with you to the surgery center.
If you are diabetic and use insulin, please ask your doctor about pre-surgery insulin dosage. Bring you insulin with you.
Please bathe or shower the evening before or morning of your procedure.
Do not wear make-up, jewelry, body piercings, fingernail polish or artificial nails.
Eyeglasses, contact lenses and dentures may need to be removed and stored in proper containers before surgery. Please bring these containers with you.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave all valuables at home.
Children may bring a blanket or small toy to take with them to surgery.
Women age 13 and older will need to have a pregnancy test or sign a waiver regarding possibility of pregnancy before surgery.
If you develop a cold, sore throat, fever, urinary tract infection, changes to the area near the surgical site or other illness within 24 hours of the scheduled procedure should contact their doctor or provider as soon as possible. If your provider cannot be reaching, please call (319) 833-5800 to report your illness to our nursing staff.
If you have allergies to medications, latex, tape, soap or any food, please inform your doctor and surgery center staff during one of the pre-op health screenings.
If your surgeon has prescribed special instructions or medication prior to your surgery, please follow the instructions closely.
Bring paperwork with you such as consent forms, physical forms, proof of insurance, etc.
A friend or family member must drive you home after your discharge. If you do not have this arranged in advance, your procedure will be rescheduled. You will not be allowed to operate a motor vehicle if you have received sedation or general anesthesia.

On the Day of Your Surgery

You will enter United Medical Park through the main entrance, which offers close parking and a covered drive-up. Proceed to the welcome desk just inside the main entrance to complete your registration.

Next, you will go to the surgery center and will be taken to a private pre-op room to meet with your care team and physicians for final preparations before your surgery.

The actual surgery will take place in one of the state-of-the-art operating rooms or a procedure room (for more minor operations).

After Your Surgery

Depending on what kind of sedation was used and what procedure was performed, you may be taken to the recovery unit or taken back to a private room to complete your recovery. This is where your family or companion can be with you if you’d like.

Recovery generally lasts a few hours, and you will be given specific discharge instructions by the surgery center care team. When you are ready, a nurse will escort you to the exit that is a dedicated patient pick-up area.

Remember, you must have arrangements to have a family or friend drive you home. You will not be allowed to drive yourself.