Patient Responsibilities

To provide accurate and complete information.
This includes complaints or symptoms, past or current illnesses, hospitalizations, current medications (to include herbal or alternative treatments), allergy to antibiotics or drugs (e.g., penicillin or barbiturates), pain and previous methods of relief, and other matters relating to your health, to include unexpected changes. This also includes any spiritual, religious, and/or cultural values as well as lifestyle choices that may affect your treatment.

Participate actively in decisions about treatment.
Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about your care. To follow the treatment your doctors and nurses have worked out with you. To give the hospital a copy of your Living Will and/or Medical Power of Attorney if you have one.

Avoid lost time and resources.
Keep all scheduled appointments. If you cannot keep an appointment, please cancel it 24-hours in advance if possible.

Assist in the management of your pain.
Assist your health care team by letting them know when your pain first begins and when treatment provides no relief. Do not hesitate to discuss your pain options and fears with the staff.

Show respect and consideration.
Follow the rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. To assist in the control of noise and the number of visitors. To honor the dignity, worth and value of other people and to respect the property of others and this medical facility. To refrain from smoking within this hospital.

Safeguard your valuables.
Leave valuables at home, if possible. Valuables can be secured for you by the hospital if necessary.

Provide compliments, complaints, suggestions.
Assist the hospital in providing the best possible care by reporting compliments, complaints or concerns and make recommendation for improvement. If you believe any of your rights have been or may be violated, please let us know so we can assist you as soon as possible.

Settle financial obligations.
Contact the hospital business office for assistance and information on payment of any hospital expenses.

Prior To Surgery

All inpatient spine or total joint surgery patients are highly encouraged to attend a pre-hospitalization class. This class is complimentary for the patient, and gives us the opportunity to guide you through the surgery process.

Spine and Joint Class:

• To register for the class please fill out the form at the following link: Online Class Registration
• This virtual class can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Presenters include: Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Dietary, Nursing and Discharge Planning.

Testing will be ordered by your physician prior to surgery, if needed.

If you have recent reports of blood work, x-rays or cardiac testing (EKG) from other physician offices, please bring them with you. If you’d like to obtain them, please provide us with the contact information of the office that performed the procedure.

Day of Surgery

DO…

• Take a shower the morning of surgery unless otherwise instructed. You may use deodorant but NO powder, lotion, perfume or aftershave.
• Bring glasses, hearing aids, dentures and personal toiletries.
• Bring your primary care physician’s name, your insurance cards, driver’s license, deductibles and co-pays.
• Call your physician if you develop any symptoms of illness (fever, abrasions, sore throat, rash, etc.) before coming to the hospital for your scheduled surgery.

DO NOT…

• Eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, gum, lozenges and medications (unless otherwise instructed by your physician).
• Bring any valuable items to the hospital. This includes jewelry and money.

Please be prompt and arrive 1 ½ hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. We will use this time to prepare you for your procedure. If delays in the schedule occur, we will do our best to see that you are made as comfortable as possible while waiting.

Outpatient Surgery (Discharged Home):

• Wear loose fitting clothing.
• Make arrangement for an adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions regarding your diet, activities and medications.
• It is normal to feel sleepy and/or dizzy for several hours after your operation. Do not sign important documents, make significant decisions, drive, smoke or consume alcohol for at least 24 hours after your procedure or while taking pain medication.

Inpatient Surgery (Staying Overnight):

• You may be more comfortable if you bring your own toiletries, robe, slippers, etc.
• Bring all of your medications in the original prescription container and give them to the preoperative nurse.
• Contact us for visiting hours.
• Upon discharge, a responsible adult will need to drive you home.

After surgery, you will be cared for in the Recovery Room and monitored until you are ready for discharge or admittance to our inpatient unit. Although the time varies, most patients are discharged 1 to 2 hours after surgery. A waiting area is provided in close proximity to the surgery area. Please note there is no cafeteria for visitors.

Your Role in Making Health Care Safe:

• Ask questions and participate in your care.
• Tell the doctor about medical problems you have. These problems could affect your treatment.
• If at any time you feel you need anything, contact a staff member for assistance.
• Speak up! Be a partner in managing your pain.

For questions, call us today at 480-832-4770.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I need antibiotics before surgery, when will I receive the antibiotic and for how long?
Antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes before surgery and should be stopped within 24 hours in most cases. Given properly, antibiotics can greatly lower your chances of getting an infection after surgery.

If hair needs to be removed from the part of my body that is having surgery, what will you use? Your doctor or nurse will use electronic clippers to remove hair if needed at the site of your surgery. Using a razor to remove hair before surgery can cause an infection because of the risk of leaving small cuts on the skin.

What will you do to prevent blood clots?
Blood clots can lead to heart attacks and strokes. When you have surgery, you are at risk of getting blood clots because you do not move while under anesthesia. The more complicated your surgery, the higher your risk. Your doctor will know your risk for blood clots and steps that will help prevent them, such as giving you the right medicine before surgery.

If I take medicine for heart disease, should I keep taking it?
Taking certain medicines together can cause problems. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter things like aspirin and herbal remedies. Your doctor or nurse will tell you which medicines you should continue to take and which medicines you should stop taking before surgery.

Other Information/Resources

• Tell your doctor about other medical problems you may have, such as allergies or diabetes. These problems could affect your surgery and treatment.
• Call your doctor if you are feeling ill or have a fever before surgery.
• Patients who smoke get more infections. Talk to your doctor about how you can quit.
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you do not understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know. For information on the Joint Commission’s Speak Up™ program, which includes an animated video, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission.
• For information on preparing for surgery, please visithttp://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/surgery/surgery.htm, which offers additional questions to ask your physician and surgeon about your surgery.
• For information on quality of hospital care, visit Hospital Compare athttp://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov. It includes information on how often hospitals provide some of the recommended care to get the best results for most patients.
• For patient information concerning anesthesia, please visit http://www.asahq.org
• The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a large national partnership dedicated to reducing the number of preventable surgical complications. SCIP includes a number of steps that surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and patients take to lower the number of surgical problems.
• If you have additional questions, please contact your doctor.

After Your Surgery or Procedure

If you have a surgical procedure, you will go to the recovery room known as the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Your condition will be monitored by a registered nurse and an anesthesiologist. When you are awake and stable, you will be released to go home or to the inpatient care unit if you will require an overnight stay. The hospital staff will notify your family of your room number and direct phone number so they may visit you when you are ready to receive visitors. Your length of stay will depend on the type of procedure and your physician’s instructions. At all times during your inpatient stay, you will have specially trained registered nurses available to provide for your needs and care.

Discharge Planning

Your discharge planning begins at the time of your admission to the hospital. These plans may include: provisions for rehabilitation, assistance with activities of daily living, nursing home placement and other healthcare needs. The Case Manager will be happy to assist you if you have any questions related to preparations being made for your discharge from the hospital. As with all of your healthcare decisions, our Case Manager wants you to be actively involved and, ultimately, to make your own choices with regard to selecting providers of services, supplies and equipment that you may need after discharge. As a patient, you have the right to choose which company or provider of services you will use after discharge from the hospital. Your nurse or the hospital Case Manager will give you information about various options you have when making decisions about after discharge care, however, we are prohibited from selecting a provider of such services for you.

In many cases, your doctor may recommend a specific provider that he/she feels will best meet your needs. In some cases, your doctor may own or have a financial interest in one or more providers. Should this be the case with the provider you choose, and if we are aware of such a business relationship, we will disclose this information to you. Regardless of the provider you choose, we will coordinate with them to ensure your needs have been anticipated and met by the time you are discharged from the hospital.

Discharge Information

On the day of discharge from the hospital, patients should prepare to leave their rooms around 2 p.m. A member of the hospital’s business office may contact you prior to discharge to ensure all financial arrangements are in order. For your safety because of the sedating effects of medications, if you are having your procedure as an outpatient, you must have a responsible adult drive you home from the hospital. If you have received anesthesia including IV sedation, blocks, spinal, epidural or general anesthesia someone should stay with you the remainder of the day and night. Please follow all instructions given to you by the medical center staff and your physician. If you have any questions, please call your physician.

Advance Directives

Every patient is asked to participate in a discussion affecting their care. By Federal law, the Advance Directive is available to every patient and should be a part of your medical record. As a competent adult, you have the right to accept or refuse any medical treatment. “Competent” means you understand your condition and the results your decisions may have. As long as you are competent, you are the only person who can decide what medical treatment you want to receive. Your doctors will give you information and advice about the pros and cons of different kinds of treatment, but only you can choose whether to say “yes” or “no.” You can say “no” even if the treatment you refuse might keep you alive longer and even if your doctor or your family wants you to have it.

What is an Advance Directive?

Advance Directives are documents signed by a competent person giving direction to health care providers about treatment choices in certain circumstances. The document is called an Advance Directive because you are directing and documenting your wishes about future care. There are two types of Advance Directives: A durable power of attorney for health care allows you to name a “patient advocate” to act for you and carry out your wishes when you are unable to express your wishes; and a living will that allows you to state your wishes in writing regarding future care, but does not name a patient advocate.

What should I do if I want an Advance Directive?

Ask a member of the hospital staff to assist you. They will provide you information necessary to execute an Advance Directive. Legal advice is not required, but if you wish, your attorney can also help you prepare a document. The law does not allow hospital personnel to witness these documents, so you will need to make other arrangements to complete the requirement. When you are admitted to the hospital, you will be asked about advance directives and be given a brochure about advance directives, also known as living wills or durable powers of attorney. If you have any questions concerning this matter, or would like assistance in obtaining such a document, please ask your nurse.

If you already have an Advance Directive, please bring it with you to the hospital. If you need additional information about Advance Directives, please ask any member of the hospital staff.

Anesthesia

If you require anesthesia, your doctor and anesthesiologist will talk with you and review your medical history. They will help you understand and choose from the variety of anesthetic options available to you. If you have any questions or special needs, please feel free to ask your doctor or nurse to clarify them for you before the day of your procedure.

For questions, call us today at 480-832-4770.

The Physician-Owned Difference

Established in 2002, Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital is an award-winning, physician owned & operated, orthopedic specialty hospital. Our staff provides high quality care in an environment that promotes wellness and rapid recovery. With 4 operating rooms and 2 pain treatment rooms, our 23-bed facility provides patients with the latest technology and all the ancillary services associated with larger, full-service hospitals.

Food Services

Look forward to great food! The hospital’s food service is provided by a Professional Chef. We think you will find both the quality and selection of food served is excellent. Meals will be served in your room. You will be visited by a member of the hospital’s food service staff each day to make your meal selections.

Clinical dietary services are provided by a registered clinical dietician who will ensure that any special diets or foods ordered by your doctor meet your needs.

Meals may also be ordered for a guest. Please let your nurse or food service personnel know if you plan to have a visitor at meal time.

Please consult your nurse for authorization before consuming foods other than those served by the hospital. If you have special dietary needs, please make sure we are aware of them as we plan for your admission.

Non-Smoking Campus

To promote good health and rapid recovery, smoking is not permitted on our campus. If you smoke, your doctor may need to prescribe a smokeless nicotine substitute such as a patch or gum while you are in the hospital. The hospitals’ nursing staff will provide you information on smoking cessation programs available in the community at your request.

Access Notice for Persons with Special Needs

• Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital and all of its programs and activities are accessible to and usable by disabled persons, including persons with impaired hearing and vision. Access features include:
• Convenient off-street parking designated specifically for disabled persons. This parking is available adjacent to all public access doors.
• Level access into the facility. This facility has no elevators or stairways leading to service areas above the ground level floor.
• Fully accessible offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms, public waiting areas, patient treatment areas including patient rooms and examination rooms, and other public facilities.
• Qualified sign language interpreters for the deaf.
• A twenty-four hour telecommunication device for the deaf (TTY/TDD).
• Accessible TTY/TDD devices for patients and other customers.
• Readers and/or taped materials for the blind and large print materials for the visually impaired.
• Flash cards, alphabet boards and other communications tools.
• Assist devices for persons with impaired manual skills.

Standard Precautions

The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that hospitals institute “Standard Precautions” for the protection of patients and staff against transmission of communicable diseases. These precautions involve the use of protective equipment by the staff when handling blood and body fluids during the care of all patients. You may notice our staff wearing some protective apparel, depending on the type of care being given to you. We want you to know that this is part of our routine and to assure you are comfortable that these protective measures are being followed for your protection.

For questions, call us today at 480-832-4770.

Visiting Hours and Guidelines

At Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital, we strive to maintain the highest quality of care and safety for our patients. To accomplish this goal we need your assistance with the following visitation guidelines:

Contact us for visiting hours.

Rooms at Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital are semi-private, please limit visitors to two (2) per patient. If, at any time, the nursing staff feels the care of the patient is compromised visitation will be limited. No children will be allowed to stay in the room unsupervised. For the security of our patients and staff, the hospital’s public entrances are locked daily, after 4:30 p.m.. Visitors are asked to use the monitored entrance on the East side of the building after 4:30 p.m.. For your protection, and that of your visitors, patient bathrooms are for use by patients only. There are public restrooms throughout the hospital for visitors and staff.

Visitors with infectious diseases, particularly upper respiratory infections, should not visit post-operative patients because of the risk of surgical wound infections. If your visitor does have symptoms of an infection, please consult the nurse for advice regarding visitation.

Parking

Parking is available in the hospital’s parking lots for both patients and visitors. If you are visiting a patient that is here for an overnight stay, please park on the east side of the building and enter through the patient discharge area. All visitors will sign in prior to visiting with patients. The hospital cannot be responsible for theft or damage to items left in your vehicle. Please refrain from leaving valuables in your car.

Flowers and Gifts

Flowers and gifts may be delivered directly to patient rooms by visitors or they may be left at the hospital’s main reception desk. Our staff will gladly ensure that flowers and gifts are promptly delivered to patient rooms. Flowers and live plants may not be delivered to patients in the surgical or post anesthesia recovery area. However, the can be held for delivery until patients reach their inpatient room.

For questions, please call us today at 480-832-4770.