Overnight Procedures

Yellowstone Surgery Center provides outpatient services where you are not ‘admitted’ and you typically go home the same day that you visited the surgery center. Overnight procedures also known as 23-hour procedure require you to ‘stay’ overnight for observation, so we can better monitor your progress.


Day of Surgery

Day of Surgery Checklist Arrival and Check-in

Operating Room Procedures

Initial Recovery



Recovery

Prepping for Discharge Recognizing/Preventing Complications

Expectations and Recovery Tips

Additional Patient Services

Screening Appointment Checklist

Pre-Surgery Screening Appointments Checklist

Bring these to Appointments

  • Your insurance card.
  • Your driver’s license or other form of ID.
  • A current list of all your medications, including the dosage and how often you take them.

Patient Screening Process

A Clinical Nurse Liaison (CNL) will attempt to contact you prior to your procedure to discuss your medical history and to answer any questions regarding specific medications. If you do not receive a call by the day before your surgery, please contact us.

For Total Joint procedures

Complete Pre-Op Physical*

This is done with your Primary Care Provider. For required medical testing and clearance for surgery (blood work, EKG, x-rays, etc).

  • If you are on Coumadin, you will need to make a plan for bridging therapy.
  • If you are a diabetic and require insulin, make a plan with your physician who manages your diabetes for medication doses for the day of surgery, as you will not be eating prior to surgery.

Dental Exam

Have a dental exam done if you have not been to the dentist within the last six months. You may make arrangements for this appointment at your convenience. If your dentist finds any signs of infection, please notify your surgeon’s office as soon as possible.

Pre-Surgery Physical Therapy

If applicable, set-up outpatient Physical Therapy at your facility of choice for an evaluation within a week of surgery. This will require a physical therapy prescription from your Ortho Montana physician.

Blood Type and Screen Drawn

Go to SCL Health Surgery Plus (406-237-4201) to have a Blood Type and Screen drawn. This is the facility that we use to obtain blood products in an emergency situation, therefore this test can only be performed by SCL Health.

  • This can usually be done up to 10 days before your surgery.
  • Ortho Montana’s office will give you the appropriate details needed to get this done.

Pre-Op Appointment

Attend a pre-op appointment with your Ortho Montana physician. This appointment will be set-up for you by your physician’s office. Notify your surgeon if you have any allergies or sensitivities to any metals.

Pre-Registration Paperwork

You have the option to complete your pre-registration in advance by going to either Yellowstone Surgery Center location prior to your procedure.

At this time, if required by your physician, you will be given the supplies needed for Nose to Toes, an important step in preparation for your procedure. This full body prep will need to be completed the evening prior to your surgery.

*If Applicable to your Procedure

Before Procedure Checklist

Diet & Medication Guidelines

Review instructions on when to stop eating/drinking along with any Medication guidelines.

Review Billing and Insurance

Important information about your payment responsibility, contacting your insurance company, and how Yellowstone Surgery Center bills.

Preparing Your Home

Prepare your home as needed. That includes purchasing any items required for your recovery. Examples include: stool softeners, and prescriptions (if given to you in advance).

Pain Services Agreement

Also known as a Pain Contract. If you have a Pain Services Agreement, contact your pain provider to help you manage your pain following surgery. Per your contract in place, prescriptions may not be issued.

Someone 18 years of age or older

You must arrange for an adult to be with you. They are responsible for signing you out and transporting you home and stay with you for a minimum of 24 hours after your procedure.

Eyewear

Consider wearing glasses the day of the procedure and bring necessary contact lenses and glass container(s).

Nails

Remove nail polish and acrylic nails.

Jewelry

All jewelry must be removed, including ALL body piercing jewelry.

Valuables

Leave jewelry, money, weapons and other valuables at home.

Comfort

Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing. Consider wearing slip-on shoes. If staying overnight, pack comfortable clothing. You may wish to bring pillows or blankets for your trip home.

Not feeling well

If you develop a cold, persistent cough, fever, rash, open wound, current infection, any other health-related problems, or if you need to cancel your procedure, please notify your physician’s office as soon as possible. For the safety of our patients and their families, please make sure any family or friends that accompany you are also in good health.

Pre-registration Paperwork

You have the option to complete your pre-registration in advance by going to either Yellowstone Surgery Center location prior to your procedure.

Call for a Patient Screening

A Clinical Nurse Liaison (CNL) will attempt to contact you prior to your procedure to discuss your medical history and to answer any questions regarding specific medications. If you do not receive a call by the day before your surgery, please contact us.

Prepare Your Home Checklist

Yellowstone Surgery Center provides outpatient services where you are not ‘admitted’ and you typically go home the same day that you visited the surgery center.

Review the checklist for Preparing Your Home and use as a guideline based on the procedure you are having done. These items do not apply to all procedures.

General Household

  • Arrange to have someone help you at home full time for a couple of days, until you are used to being back home and are comfortable.
  • Setup accessible, “nesting” space with furnishings such as:
    • comfortable recliner with arms
    • day bed
    • mini fridge to keep drinks and ice
    • electronics and chargers
    • grabbing reacher
  • Cut the grass, tend to the garden and finish any other yard work.
  • Arrange to have someone collect your mail.
  • Arrange to have someone take care of your pets.
  • Place any household needs at a level that is easy to reach, so you will not have to bend over to pick an item off the ground.

Bathroom

  • Install comfort height toilet or raised toilet seat.
  • Install horizontal and/or vertical grab bar on the walls beside toilet.
  • Get a shower seat or bathroom commode chair for the shower.
  • Install horizontal and/or vertical grab bar on the walls for the shower.
  • Put adhesive slip strips in the bottom of the tub.
  • Install night-light to illuminate the floor and toilet where necessary.

Clear Pathways/Stairs

Applicable to procedures that require walking aides as part of the recovery

  • Remove electrical cords and tripping hazards from walkways.
  • Move furniture and obstructions wide enough for mobility equipment to pass through.
  • Install night-light to illuminate hallways and floor where necessary.
  • Check railings to make sure they are not loose. Think about installing some railings if you do not have them already, especially on stairs.

Bedroom

Applicable to procedures that require walking aides as part of the recovery

  • Install night-lights to illuminate the bed and floor where necessary.
  • Remove rugs, slippery carpets and tack down any loose carpeting.
  • Put clean linens on the bed.
  • Clean, and put away laundry.

Kitchen/Food

  • Prepare meals and freeze them in single serving containers.
  • Bring dishes, utensils, and containers down for easy access.

Improving Surgery Outcome

Nutrition

Healthy food choices build up strength and tissues in your body. Choosing more fruits, vegetables and liquids a few days before surgery will ease the stress on your digestive system.

What to Eat

  • High Protein Foods (fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds)
  • Hight Fiber Foods (whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes)
  • High Calcium Foods (leafy greens and small amounts of dairy)

What to Avoid

  • Dairy products
  • Sweets
  • Pastries
  • Fried Foods
  • Cured Meats
  • Coffee
  • Alcohol

Physical Activity (Prior to Surgery)

Tracking diet and exercise has been shown to improve weight loss. To calculate your calorie needs, the Mifflin-St.Jeor equation is the most accurate. To use this equation to track your daily calorie needs, go to calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html. There are several apps and other websites that make it easy to track your food intake and exercise. You may also choose to use a pedometer, smart watch, or a fitness band.

General Recommendations

Recommendations for general health benefits:

Moderate Intensity – 150 minutes of activity per week (30 minutes, 5 days/week)

OR

Vigorous Intensity – 75 minutes of activity per week (15 minutes, 5 days/week)

AND

Resistance Exercises – 2 days/week

For Weight Loss

For moderate weight loss (5-7 lbs) – 150-225 minutes of activity per week

For significant weight loss (10-15 lbs) – 225-420 minutes of activity per week

Smoking Cessation

If you quit smoking before you have surgery, you can increase your ability to heal. Smoking will:

  • Delay your healing process.
  • Cause post-operative complications and inhibits healing of bone grafts.
  • Reduces the size of your blood vessels and decreases the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
  • Increase clotting, which can cause problems with your heart by increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

Nose to Toes Full Body Prep

Take Note: Nose to Toes

Yellowstone Surgery Center’s Nose-to-Toes is an important step in preparation for your surgery. Please pay close attention to the Nose-to-Toes steps using the appropriate CHG Cloths (Chlorhexidine Gluconate).

Night Before Your Surgery

Prepping with 2% CHG Cloths (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) – There are only 6 cloths, no extras. Dispose of the cloths in the trash, do not flush.

  • Bathing or showering prior to the wipes is acceptable, but do not shave. Wait 1 hour before applying Nose to Toes wipes.
  • Do not scrub the skin with the wipes, but apply enough pressure that will get a layer ofthe product on the skin. Do not apply any lotions and/or deodorants.
  • Following the Nose to Toes application, sleep on clean sheets without any pets and in clean pajamas.

Areas of body to wipe

Avoid use on the face, mucous membranes and open skin. Apply from jawline to toes.

  1. First Cloth: Wipe your neck, chest and abdomen. Be sure to wipe folds in your belly. (Cover entire purple area).
  2. Second Cloth: Wipe the entire surface of both arms starting at your shoulders and ending at your fingertips. Do underarms last and spend extra time wiping them. (Cover entire green area.)
  3. Third Cloth: Wipe the front and back of your right leg, starting at the top of the thigh and the bottom of your buttock, down to your toes. Include the soles of your feet. (Cover entire orange area).
  4. Fourth Cloth: Wipe the front and back of your left leg, starting at the top of the thigh and the bottom of your buttock, down to your toes. Include the soles of your feet. (Cover entire yellow area).
  5. Fifth Cloth: Get help with this cleaning portion. Wipe your back, starting at the base of the neck and ending at the waist. (Cover entire pink area).
  6. Sixth Cloth: You may need to get help to clean this portion. Wipe the entire areas of the groin, buttocks and perineum. Be sure to wipe folds in the groin area. (Cover entire blue area). After prepping the entire body with the wipes, let it all dry and do not rinse off.

Morning of Surgery

  • Nothing to Eat: after midnight the night before your surgery
  • Clear liquids only: up to 3 hours before your scheduled surgery
  • Do NOT shower.
  • Do NOT apply any lotions, deodorants and/or make-up.

Complete Patient Procedure Guide

Select from the Following Items for Your Procedure Guide

before procedure

Before Procedure

Suggestions and Recommendations before your Surgery

day of procedure

Day of Procedure

Day of Surgery Timeline and What to Know

recovery

Recovery

Information to Know and Understand Before You’re Discharged