Serving you is what we do best.

| Before Your Visit | Preparing for Surgery | What to Expect |

El Camino Surgery Center, LLC is committed to providing excellence in patient care. Our Mission states, "Patients will find their care is provided with compassion by competent professional staff. Their comfort and safety will be maintained in a positive, attractive atmosphere throughout all phases of their stay. Families and close friends are encouraged to take part in individualized care. The surgery center will provide a timely, accessible, cost-effective alternative for designated outpatient procedures and surgical care."

We will do all we can to make your or your family member's experience here as pleasant and comfortable as possible. The following information and instructions will inform and help you prepare for surgery.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

In accordance with Section 70707 of the California Health and Safety Code, El Camino Surgery Center has adopted the following list of Rights and Responsibilities for Patients:

Patient Rights:

• As a recipient of Federal financial assistance, the Center does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of race, color, creed, sex or national origin, or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, whether carried out by the Center directly or through a contractor, or any other entity with which the Center arranges to carry out its programs and activities.
• Patients are provided appropriate privacy.
• Patient disclosures and records are treated confidentially, except when required by law, patients are given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release.
• Patients are provided, to the degree known, complete information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. Unless when it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient or to a legally authorized person.
• Patients are given the opportunity to participate in decision involving their healthcare, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
• Patients are given information for the provision of after-hour and emergency care.
• Patients are given information regarding fees for service, payment policies and financial obligations.
• Patients have the right to decline participation in experimental or trial studies.
• Patients have the right to receive marketing or advertising materials that reflects the services of the Centers in a way which is not misleading.
• Patients have the right to express their concerns and receive a response to their inquiries in a timely fashion.
• Patients have the right to self-determination including the right to accept or to refuse treatment and the right to formulate an Advance Directive.
• Patients have the right to know and understand what to expect related to their care and treatment.

Patient Responsibilities:

• Tell us important information about your health or your child's health including symptoms, treatments, medicines and other illnesses; and to report unexpected changes in your own or your child's condition.
• Ask for an explanation if you do not understand papers you are asked to sign or anything about your own or your child's care.
• Gather as much information as you need to make informed decisions.
• Be available so staff can teach you how to care for yourself or your child; we want to share our knowledge with you, but you must be prepared to learn.
• Follow the care prescribed or recommended for you or your child by the physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team; remember, if you refuse treatment or do not follow instructions, you are responsible for your actions.
• Respect the rights and privacy of others.
• Know and follow the Center's policies and procedures.
• Assure the financial obligations associated with your own or your child's care are fulfilled.
• Responsible for being respectful of his/her personal property and that of other persons in the Center.
• Take an active role in ensuring safe patient care. Ask questions or state concerns while in our care. If you don't understand, ask again.

If you have a complaint or concern
El Camino Surgery Center is committed to protecting patient's rights and providing quality care. If you have any complaints or concerns, please ask to speak to the Clinical Director at (650) 961-1200. If you are not able to resolve your concerns please direct them to the President at (650) 988-8451. We are committed to respond to your concerns.

Advance Directives
Facts about Advance Directives

What are advance directives?
"Advance directive" is a general term that refers to your oral and written instructions about your future medical care, in the event that you become unable to speak for yourself. Each state regulates the use of advance directives differently. There are two types of advance directives: a living will and a medical power of attorney. You may contact the hospital’s library at (650) 940-7210 if you would like a copy of the official State advance directive forms or assistance with completing your advance directive.

What is a medical power of attorney?
A medical power of attorney is a document that enables you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your medical care if you cannot make those decisions yourself. This type of advance directive may also be called a "health care proxy" or "appointment of health care agent." The person you appoint may be called your health care agent, surrogate, attorney-in-fact, or proxy. The person you appoint through a medical power of attorney is authorized to speak for you any time you are unable to make your own medical decisions, not only at the end of life.

Why do I need an advance directive?
Advance directives give you a voice in decisions about your medical care when you are unconscious or too ill to communicate. As long as you are able to express your own decisions, your advance directives will not be used and you can accept or refuse any medical treatment. But if you become seriously ill, you may lose the ability to participate in decisions about your own treatment.

El Camino Surgery Center’s Policy on “Do Not Resuscitate"
El Camino Surgery Center is not able to accept a “Do Not Resuscitate” instruction from a patient. Patients are required to waive a DNR order prior to admission. If you are transferred to a higher level of care (i.e. hospital) any such order would immediately become effective and honored. Please speak directly to your physician if you have any question regarding our policy.

Before Your Visit

Scheduling Your Procedure
After you and your physician have determined your need for care at ECSC, your physician's office will call us and schedule your procedure. They will give us the information we need to register you for surgery. You are not required to come into ECSC prior to your surgery to pre-register.

How You Will Be Billed
We want to take the worry out of the cost of your treatment. The Surgery Center will receive information about your insurance coverage from your physician. You will be asked to bring your verification of insurance (card) and a photo I.D. with you to the Surgery Center so we may verify that we have the correct billing information.

ECSC's Fees
Charges incurred from the Surgery Center will cover only what we do for you such as preparation for surgery, supplies and use of the operating and recovery rooms.

Your Physician's Fees
Your surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist and radiologist (if applicable) will bill you separately based on the services they have provided

Your Insurance Coverage
As a service to our customers we will bill your insurance company. If payment is not received within 60 days of billing, the customer will be responsible for the balance.

Special Financial Needs
If you plan to pay cash, payments need to be made before or upon admission to the Surgery Center. We accept cash, checks, Visa and Mastercard. If necessary, special arrangements can be made. Cash arrangements for anesthesia professional services must also be paid prior to, or upon admission.

back to top

Information About Your Care
Preparing for your surgery is very important. To reduce the risk of any complications during your surgery and to insure your comfort, please carefully follow the instructions below. In the event that these instructions are not followed, your surgery may be subject to cancellation.

Preoperative Phone Call
Our nurses will attempt to call you 1-3 days before your surgery depending on the type of procedure scheduled. The nurse will ask you questions regarding your health history and will verify the correct time of your surgery. You may ask the nurse any questions that you have. If you do not receive a phone call, you may call (650) 988-7997 8a.m. to 3p.m. for any questions related to your surgery or to hear a recorded message of pertinent information after these hours.

What to bring with you
Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home, as we can not secure these items for you. Wear simple loose clothing to ensure your comfort. Please refrain from using fragrances. Please bring your insurance card and a photo I.D. Also, please bring a list of dosages with all your medications, including herbs, vitamins or diet supplements.

Changes in your Health
Please report any changes in your health to your surgeon, even minor changes such as a cough, cold or fever.

Food or Drink
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SURGERY (INCLUDING GUM OR MINTS). If your surgeon gave you different instructions please follow those orders.

Medications
Routine oral medications should be taken with a sip of water on the day of surgery. If you normally take blood pressure, heart or seizure medications, take as directed by your surgeon. If you are a diabetic on either oral medications or Insulin, please consult your physician for specific instructions for the day of surgery. If you use an inhaler or migraine medication, bring it with you to the Surgery Center. Notify your physician if you are taking, herbs, vitamins or diet supplements and follow the instructions given to you.

Pregnancy
If you suspect you may be pregnant, please notify your surgeon immediately. Anesthesia and medications may be harmful to a developing fetus.

Transportation and Parking
Arrange in advance for an adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours following surgery. If you have young children or others in your care, arrange in advance for their care as well. Please bring your driver's name and contact number so the nursing personnel may contact your driver if needed.
You will not be allowed to leave the surgery center unless you have an escort or transportation of some sort. You may take a taxi only if a responsible adult accompanies you.
If you need assistance with transportation, please call the surgery center at 650-961-1200.

Tours For Pediatric Patients
To ease the stress of surgery on your child, you may set up a tour of the surgery center. We recommend you allow your child to become familiar with the surroundings and equipment before the day of surgery. Adult patients who are interested in tours are also welcome to visit us prior to surgery. To set up a tour, please call 650-988-7997.

Visitors/Refreshments
For the privacy of patients, an adult may only have one visitor at the bedside. Pediatric patients may have two visitors at the bedside.
Refreshments are available at El Camino Hospital in the snack bar and cafeteria for visitors waiting.

back to top

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery

Arrival
Parking information can be found on our Location page.

Registration Area
You will check in with the receptionist and have a seat in our waiting area until a nurse calls your name. Paperwork will be completed that initiates you medical record. Also, during the admitting process you will be given a copy of ECSC's Privacy Notice. We will ask you to sign an acknowledgment that you received the notice. If you have received the notice previously, another copy will not be distributed. To view our privacy notice please Click Here.

Preoperative Holding Area
You will be escorted to a changing area and will be asked to remove all clothing and jewelry, and a hospital gown will be given to you. You will then wait on a gurney or sit in a recliner. The nurse will take vital signs, do a nursing assessment, answer any questions and provide any instructions you may need at this time. If you require the care of an anesthesiologist they will speak with you before surgery in the Pre-operative area. The anesthesiologist will review your history, discuss the anesthesia plan, and answer all questions related to the type of anesthesia you will receive. Patients who are having only local anesthesia will not have an anesthesiologist on their case. After preparation for surgery is complete, a family member may sit with you until time for your surgery. Delays are rare but can happen. We appreciate your patience.

Staying With Your Child When They Are Having Surgery
Surgery may be frightening to your child. A parent or legal guardian must remain at the Surgery Center at all times when children under the age of 18 are having a procedure. We encourage parents to stay with their child in the pre-operative area before their surgery. Parents will be allowed to join their child as soon as possible following their surgery.

Two adults should accompany the child home-one to drive and one to take care of the child.

Your Procedure
When it is time for your procedure, clinical staff will escort you by gurney to the operating room. Once in the operating room, you will either stay on the gurney or be assisted to another bed for your procedure. You will be monitored throughout your procedure and staff will ensure your privacy.

Recovery Room
Once your procedure is complete, you will be transferred to our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room) for observation. The type of anesthesia you receive will determine your length of stay and overall postoperative course. The nursing staff will continuously monitor your vital signs and do all they can to keep you comfortable.

You and your escort will be given printed discharge instructions for your care at home. The staff will review the instructions that will include activity restrictions, diet, pain medicine, a follow-up with your physician and any adverse signs to watch for and to report to your surgeon. A prescription may or may not be given to you in the Recovery Room depending on your surgeon's orders. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home.
Depending on the type of anesthesia you need, your stay in the recovery room can range from 15 minutes to a few hours. We will evaluate your readiness for discharge prior to sending you home. Our goal is to get you safely home as soon as possible where you'll be the most comfortable resting and recovering. Rest should be your main focus when you return home.

Overnight Care
Your surgeon may feel you need to stay overnight at the surgery center. At least once a week we offer overnight observation for pre-scheduled patients. The following information applies to our patients who will be staying overnight:

• You will stay in the Recovery Room, but will be transferred to a hospital bed for the night.
  
• Family members may visit until 9 p.m. No visitors or family members are allowed to stay overnight.
  
• Family members are encouraged to bring in "light" food (i.e.: soup). The center only provides juice, 7-up, pudding, crackers, and Jell-O.
  
• One Registered Nurse and a Certified Nurse Assistant are with you throughout your stay.
  
• A VCR and portable DVDs are available with movies for your selection.
  
• You will be discharged between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  
• You will be provided with postoperative instructions prior to discharge.