We want your visit to Summit Medical Center to be as comfortable as possible. It is important to follow any instructions your doctor may have given you prior to being admitted. If you do not fully understand your doctor’s instructions, we encourage you to call the doctor’s office for clarification.
If you are scheduled for a surgical procedure, your physician may schedule a pre-admission appointment to take care of lab work or testing and to provide you with an idea of what to expect when you come to the hospital for your surgery/procedure. If you do not have an appointment, please call 479-471-4401 to visit with a nurse.
Important Hospital Telephone Numbers:
Preadmission Testing/Surgery: 479-471-4401
One-Call Scheduling: 479-471-4467
Same Day Surgery: 479-471-4142
Preparing For Your Hospital Visit
What To Bring With You
- Any insurance or liability information along with any preadmission or pre-surgical authorization numbers and referral forms. In order to receive maximum insurance benefits, it is the patient’s responsibility to follow all pre-certification requirements prior to admission.
- Appropriate papers in case of guardianship or power-of-attorney.
- All medications labeled and in their original containers. A container for your contact lenses or eyeglasses.
A cafeteria and vending machines are located in the hospital.
Frequently Asked Surgery/Procedure Questions
How long will everything take?
Patients must be here 1-1/2 hours before the surgery/procedure to allow time for admission, testing and anesthesia clearance. Surgery times vary and your physician can best answer how long your procedure will last. Recovery will be a minimum of 1-1/2 hours although it may be shorter for children.
Where will my family wait and how long will it be before they can see me?
Family and friends will stay in the waiting room when the patient is taken to surgery. The physician will speak to the family when the surgery/procedure is completed. For this reason, family members should notify the receptionist if leaving the waiting room for any reason.
What if I have to wait longer than expected?
Occasionally, a delay will occur. The patient’s surgery ahead of you could take longer than scheduled or there may be an emergency and your physician is needed outside of surgery. We will try to keep you informed and your patience is appreciated.
Why is it so cold in here?
Hospital climate is regulated to control bacterial growth. Warm blankets will be provided for your comfort.
Can I stay with my child during surgery?
Parents may stay with their child until he or she is taken into the surgery suite. Parents will be called to the recovery room as soon as the child wakes. Most of the time, small children do not realize that their parents were absent during this time.
Why does someone need to be with me?
If you receive general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia, residual anesthetic agents might affect your reaction time for several hours.
Will I come back to the Same Day Surgery floor after my surgery/procedure?
If you are scheduled to be discharged the day of your surgery/procedure, you will recover in the main operating room Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and be sent back to the Same Day Surgery recovery area to be discharged.