Preparing for Your Surgery
Before your surgery date, a pre-op nurse will contact you to complete a confidential and mandatory health history. Feel free to contact the pre-op nurse in advance by calling (719) 208-7991.
If you have pre-operative questions or concerns, call (719) 208-7991 and ask to speak to a pre-surgery testing nurse. If your call goes to voice mail, please leave a message as we check voice mail frequently throughout the day.
Answers to frequently asked questions are below, but please do not hesitate to call The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado if you need anything.
Downloads:
From the surgery center:
From your nursing staff:
- Information Letter for Surgical Patients
- Information Letter for Pain Management Injections
From your anesthesiologist:
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be provided a surgical gown during your procedure. Please wear loose, simple, comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. You will need to remove all jewelry and piercings. Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
Keep in mind what procedure is being performed and bring clothes that are appropriate for your return home. For example, loose button-up shirts are best for shoulder surgeries. For leg surgeries, loose shorts or pants are recommended. Wear clothes that will facilitate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing at the site where surgery is being performed.
If you are having a pain injection, wear elastic loose-fitting pants and avoid wearing jeans or pants with metal around the waist area, such as zippers, grommets, or buttons.
There are many things we need to do to prepare for your surgery. A member of the medical staff will take your vital signs, clip hair from your surgical area, review your medical history and medications, and start your IV.
We will take the time you need to discuss your surgery, answer any questions you may have and review instructions for your return home. You will also visit with your surgeon and anesthesiologist prior to your surgery.
Your scheduled surgery time is an estimated time. Surgeries may take a shorter or longer amount of time than planned; therefore, we cannot provide you with an exact scheduled time. We will make every effort to meet your expected surgery time and will keep you and your family informed of any delays.
There are several reasons for this rule. First, if there are contents remaining in your stomach, you are more likely to get nauseated and possibly vomit after surgery. Second, during sedation or anesthesia, when anything is present in your stomach, including water, excess saliva, food, or drink, these contents can be regurgitated and inhaled into the lungs. This may cause complications, including severe pneumonia.
If you are having any surgery on your lower extremities, ask your physician if you will need crutches. If possible, please bring the crutches with you.
When you come for surgery, you should bring:
- A photo ID
- Your insurance card
- A form of payment if you have been notified of a co-pay, deductible, and/or co-insurance amount due on the day of your procedure.
- A case for your glasses, contacts, and dentures
- Reading glasses, if needed
- Bring any slings, braces or other medical equipment already issued or previously in use
- Bring your CPAP or other device if you have sleep apnea and use one at home
- Bring your inhaler if you have asthma, COPD, or any other condition that requires you use one
- If you are having any lower extremity surgery (Foot, Hip, Knee, etc.) obtain crutches, check for proper fit and receive instructions for use. Please practice the use of crutches prior to your procedure, we may ask you to demonstrate use for your safety
Yes, you may have one friend or family member with your during the preparation for surgery. If possible, make arrangements for someone to care for your children the day of the surgery. We do our best to provide a calm, quiet area for our patients while they recover.
We are located at 4110 Briargate Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80920.
We do not have a cafeteria at our facility. There is a coffee machine in the waiting area for families and visitors. There is a cafeteria located across the parking lot at Memorial Hospital, and numerous restaurants close to the surgery center. Please be aware that it is very important that your ride be readily available at the time of your discharge.
NPO is a medical abbreviation for nil per os, which means “nothing by mouth.” This includes water, gum, hard candy, chewing tobacco, smoking, food and drink.
If there is a break in the skin around your surgical site, the chance of infection is increased. If you notice any break in the skin anywhere close to the surgical site, please notify your surgeon immediately.
Insurance / Billing FAQs
It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to verify your participating provider network. You should also be aware of the specific benefits or exclusions that pertain to your plan. The customer service number for your insurance carrier can be found on your ID card.
If The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado does not participate in your insurance plan, you can still receive services here. However, your insurance company will consider our services as "out of network," and you may be responsible for paying a larger portion of the bill.
After we receive your scheduling and insurance information from your physician’s office, The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado will contact your insurance carrier and verify eligibility and medical benefits for services at our ambulatory surgery center.
If a co-pay or deductible payment is required, you will be contacted by our office. This payment is due on or before the date of service. If payment issues are not resolved prior to the date of your surgery/procedure, you may have to reschedule. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and checks of $500 or less. Amounts over $500 must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order.
Please contact The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado business office at (719) 282-8888.
Please contact Specialty Billing Solutions toll-free at (877) 852-7552. Identify The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado as your surgical facility to ensure you are connected to the correct representative.
Please note: In addition to our facility fee charges, you will/may receive separate bills for the following services:
- Your physician or surgeon
- Anesthesia, if you received general anesthesia or it was necessary for an anesthesiologist to be available for your procedure
- Laboratory tests, if they were required by your physician
- Pathology, if tissues or specimens were removed during surgery
Any questions regarding these services should be directed to the billing offices of the appropriate providers.
