Bathe  

Please bathe or shower prior to your surgery with antibacterial soap. You might not have to make an extra trip to the store, many bar soaps; such as Dial, Irish Sping and Lever 2000 have antibacterial properties.  Remove all makeup and leave at least one nail free from polish.  Do not use lotions, oils, perfume or hair spray after bathing.

Wear

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing such as sweat suits and easy to button shirts or blouses that are big enough to accommodate a large dressing after surgery.  Wear comfortable shoes; no high heels, please.
• If you are having knee surgery, large sweat pants, break-a-way gym pants, or baggy shorts work nicely over bulky knee dressings.
• If you are having shoulder surgery, you may have an immobilizer that prevents you from putting your arm through a sleeve.  Bring a large button down collar shirt or jacket.  Women can wear halter or tube tops with a big shirt that you can drape over your dressing and immobilizer.  Patients sometimes may want to sacrifice an old clean tee shirt.  It can be cut on the seam from the waist up through the arm pit on the operative side and draped over the immobilizer and dressing. 
• You don’t need to pack any extra clothes.  A nurse will provide you with a patient gown, slipper socks and a bag to store your clothing in (if you didn't bring one) before you are escorted to your bed.

Arrive

• Surgery Patients:  Please arrive 1 hour before your scheduled procedure unless instructed otherwise. 
• Spine Care Patients:  Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled procedure unless instructed otherwise.

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Waiting Room

• Our Reception Area is comfortable but small.  Your family may wait for you there until your are in reovery. but please understand that we have many patients checking in during the day and the waiting room can get quite crowded.  We recommend that family members leave a phone number at which they can be reached by the nurses once you are in recovery and go for a walk or grab a bite to eat.
• If your family or friends are staying, please limit it to two people. While we understand the need for your support we simply dont have room for everybody who cares about you.
• Our Reception Area is not suitable for kids. We understand that children sometimes need to be brought along to pick-up or drop-off patients but we do not have coloring books or room for them to run free. We discourage the use of electronics for entertainment unless they are using headphones. If your ride plans on waiting for the duration of your stay, please make other arriangments for younger children.
• Your surgeon may or may not be available to speak with your family immediately following surgery if they are here.  If they do not speak with the doctor right after your procedure please be assured you will hear from them later in the day.
• A family member or friend may be allowed to see you in recovery approximately 30 - 45 minutes after your procedure.  When you are in getting ready to go home, they can help you with your discharge instructions. 
• No Cell Phones, Food or Drink:  For the courtesy of our patients waiting for surgery and visitors, we request that your turn your cell phone text tones and ringers off.  If you need to have a conversation or need to smoke, eat or drink; please step outside.  Remember it is very difficult for patients required to fast before surgery to see or smell food.   The Bon Air Shopping Center is next door, if you wish to have a bite to eat or a walk.  http://www.bonair.com/index.shtml

Bring - Dos and Don’ts

• We’re going green, trying to be less wasteful and recycle more.  You can help by bringing a soft tote bag for your belongings.  If you don’t have one or forget, we can give you a temporary one when you come.
• If you wear contact lenses or glasses, bring a case for their safekeeping.  We provide containers for removable dentures and bridgework.
• Remove all your jewelry, head to toe, including all metal body piercings.
• If you have a payment, you may use check or credit card. 
• You may have been asked to bring post operative equipment such as crutches or an ice machine.  If you were not, or you forgot something, no worries, we have everything you need here.  When you arrive the receptionist will ask you to sign a "DME", Durable Medical Equipment Form.  The DME company, NOT MSSC, will bill your insurance company for any items dispensed.  You have the right to refuse equipment.  MSSC does not sell equipment.  The contact information for the third party dispensing company will be on the "DME" form, along with pricing.  If you have any question or concerns, you can contact the DME company directly. 
• Leave all valuables, including jewelry and extra cash, at home.  We cannot be responsible for damaged or lost property. 
• Bring all insurance cards and a government issued photo ID with you to the center.  Also, if your physician requested, bring any paper work, X-rays, etc.
• If you routinely use insulin or inhalers, please bring them with you.
• You should have received an MSSC packet of papers from your doctor’s office.  Please read and keep the informational documents and give us back the Patient Questionnaire & Acknowledgement Forms & Surveys. PLEASE... Fax (866-425-0414) or hand carry them in, DO NOT mail them.
• NOTE:  Many patients sign the Patient Acknowledgement Letter in their doctor's office and they fax it to us. It is important that we receive this Letter before your date of service. 

Pre-Registration