Your Child's Trip to the SurgiCenter - The Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge

Prior to Surgery:

• Complete any tests necessary for the procedure, as instructed by the surgeon/pediatrician.
• Review and follow the preoperative instructions, as provided by the surgeon, this brochure, and the SurgiCenter nurse.
• Notify your surgeon if your child becomes ill, develops a rash, or suffers from an asthma attack within two weeks of the scheduled procedure.
• Remember to bring your child’s health benefit identification cards and any applicable Power of Attorney documents.
• Parents are required to remain on the 3rd floor of the facility during their child’s procedure. Please make necessary arrangements to meet this requirement.

The Night Before Surgery

If your child’s arrival time is before 6 a.m., do not allow them to eat after 10 p.m. the night before their procedure (this includes food, candy, lozenges, gum, and chewing tobacco).

If your child’s arrival time is after 6 a.m., do not allow them to eat after midnight before their procedure (this includes food, candy, lozenges, gum, and chewing tobacco).

The Morning of Surgery

• Up to two hours before the scheduled arrival time, your child may drink clear liquids including water, apple juice, and ginger ale.
• Your child absolutely may not have milk products, orange juice, honey, hard candy, or gum.
• Give medications as instructed by the medication section of this brochure.
• Bring medications for asthma and Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus along to the SurgiCenter.
• Dress your child in pajamas or loose fitting, comfortable clothing. You are encouraged to bring a full change of clothing.
• Allow your child to bring a favorite toy to take into the operating room.

Arriving at the SurgiCenter

• The SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge is located on the 3rd floor of 2603 Keiser Boulevard in Wyomissing. You may park anywhere in the front of the building.
• After signing in, the receptionist will ask you to verify personal information.
• Next, you and your child will be called to the preoperative area.
• The preoperative registered nurse will ask questions about your child’s health and medications, as well as assess their temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
• Your child will be seen by their surgeon and an anesthesiologist prior to the procedure. They will explain the surgical plan and answer questions.

During Surgery

• You must remain on the 3rd floor of the SurgiCenter during your child’s procedure.
• In the operating room, your child will breathe through a mask and fall asleep. An IV site will be started at this time, and will be present when they awaken in recovery.
• After the surgery is complete, your child will go to the recovery room. You will be brought in to sit by your child’s bedside as your child awakens.
• A recovery room nurse will assess your child’s vital signs and treat pain and nausea as needed.
• Once the nurse determines your child is awake and the pain and nausea has been controlled, a drink and snack will be offered.
• The nurse will review discharge instructions with you and answer any questions.
• Your child will be allowed to dress and be discharged once they have been signed out by the anesthesia doctor.

Following Surgery

• Your child may feel sleepy.
• Your child may feel nauseous. Give your child ginger ale and crackers to relieve the queasiness.
• There may be slight oozing from the incision. Please review the discharge instructions to reinforce expectations related to the surgical site.
• Your child may have pain. We will discuss pain relieving measures at time of discharge.

Contact the Surgeon If:

• Your child’s nausea/vomiting persist, despite ginger ale and crackers.
• You are concerned by the amount of bleeding or possible infection at the surgical site.
• Your child’s pain is not relieved by prescribed medication.
• You have concerns which are not addressed on the discharge instructions provided by your surgeon.

Insurance and Financial Information

The Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge has worked with your physician’s office to obtain the insurance and financial information needed to submit your insurance claim. As a convenience to you, our billing staff will make every effort to check your insurance coverage, based on the information that was provided to us. However, it is the patient’s responsibility to ensure that the physician’s office has the most updated insurance information to expedite payment of the insurance claim (i.e., referrals and preauthorizations). If our billing staff determines that you will be responsible for all or any portion of your bill, they will attempt to contact you prior to your surgery date. You will be given an estimate of any copayment or deductible your insurance company may require.

Please be prepared to pay the copayments and deductibles on the day of surgery. Any patients without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the surgical procedure to be performed should also make arrangements to pay their facility fees on the day of surgery. For your convenience, we accept cash, personal checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, Visa, and MasterCard. Regardless of the type of insurance you may have, ultimate responsibility for the SurgiCenter bill rests with the patient or guarantor. If your insurance company does not make payment within 60 days of submission, the account will become your responsibility and payment in full will be required.

You will receive separate bills for the following:

• Your child’s surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist.
• Anesthesia - if your child received general anesthesia or required sedation administered by anesthesia personnel.
• Laboratory tests - for any lab tests required prior to, during, or after surgery.
• Radiology/imaging –- for any x-ray services required prior to, during, or after surgery.
• Pathology - for the examination of any tissue or specimen removed during surgery.

If you have any questions about your bill, insurance issues, or financial responsibilities, you may contact the billing office at 484-628-3072.