A Patient’s Guide

Everything has been done to assure the utmost in comfort and privacy for our patients and to make the entire experience as pleasant as possible. From the beautiful artwork chosen for the unit to the calming blue colors that surround you, the atmosphere is warm and friendly. The attentive professional staff is specially trained to ease your concerns and keep you, as well as those accompanying you, informed every step of the way. Our comfortable, modern surgical waiting area is equipped with amenities for families such as coffee, TV, internet access, and pagers so that family members may leave the area for a short time and not miss a physician’s call. On-premises breakfast/lunch/dinner is available in the hospital’s Park View Café.

With so many people pressured for time, it is important that both the surgery and the recovery period proceed smoothly and efficiently. Our goal is to return patients to their regular activities of daily living as soon as possible, with a minimum of disruption for themselves and their loved ones.

The Ambulatory Surgery Unit at Huntington
Hospital provides a wide variety of surgical procedures, including:

	Arthroscopy
	Biopsies
	Cataract and other eye procedures
	Ear, nose, and throat surgery
	Endoscopic surgery
	Gynecological procedures
	Hernia repair
	Laparoscopic surgery performed in all specialties
	Laser surgery
	Neurological surgery
	Plastic and reconstructive surgery
	Podiatry procedures
	Spine Surgery
	Urologic procedures
	Vascular procedures

(Click here for a description of the OR Unit.)

The Day Prior to Surgery

You will be called after 4:00 PM on the evening prior to your surgery with your arrival time. (Calls are made Friday afternoon for surgery scheduled on Mondays). Arrival time is customarily two hours before your scheduled surgery. This is to ensure adequate time for registration, your admission assessment and completion of all physician orders in preparation for the Operating Room.

The Day of Surgery

Please allow enough time for travel and parking. The South parking lot has been reserved for you. We also offer FREE valet parking between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. (Click here for directions.) The receptionist in the hospital’s main lobby will direct you to the 4th floor Ambulatory Surgery Registration area. There you will be greeted by Admitting Department staff members. After registration, you will proceed into the Ambulatory Surgery Unit.

On the day of surgery:

• Wear casual, loose-fitting clothes.
• Bring your insurance card(s) and driver’s license.
• Shower the morning of surgery.
• Bring a list of all the medications you are currently taking. Do not take medications on the day of surgery unless instructed by your physician or an Ambulatory Surgery Unit nurse.
• You will be asked to remove any dentures, partial plates, contact lenses and piercings prior to surgery.
• Please leave jewelry, cash and other valuables at home.

A family member or friend may stay with you until you go to the operating room. When you leave, your escort may wait in our comfortable Surgical Waiting Room where they can watch TV, have access to a computer and enjoy coffee. Pagers are available to allow them to spend time outside or enjoy a meal at the hospital’s Park View Cafe. A hospital volunteer in the Surgical Waiting Room will provide all instructions. There is also a wide-screen Patient Tracking Board in the Surgical Waiting Room which follows the  progression of the patient through the perioperative areas (Ambulatory Surgery Unit, Holding Room, Operating Room, and Post Anesthesia Care Unit.)

After Your Surgery

Following your procedure, you will be carefully monitored and observed in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). (Click here for a description of the PACU). You will then return to the Ambulatory Surgery Unit where your friend or relative may stay with you.

Requirements for discharge include that you be accompanied by an adult who will be with you after surgery to receive instructions and who will drive you home; and the assurance that someone will be with you at home, at least for the first night, in case there is a change in your condition.

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Important Telephone Numbers 

Ambulatory Surgery: (631) 351-2560
Admitting: (631) 351-2243
Laboratory: (631) 351-2573
Insurance/Payment Information: (631) 351-2447

For more information, contact:
Nurse Manager Anne Rainone, RN, BC, MS, CNA arainone@hunthosp.org

FOR COMPLETE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, CLICK HERE.