The Intermountain Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgery center specializing in state-of-the-art orthopaedic surgery. We are located on the fourth floor of the Idaho Elk's Rehabilitation Hospital near downtown Boise. Orthopaedic surgery is all we do. Our staff is trained in the specific needs of our orthopaedic patients. We provide outpatient surgical care in a comfortable atmosphere with professional service.
Unlike some outpatient surgery centers and hospitals, only qualified medical doctors administer anesthesia and monitor the patient throughout the entire surgery. The safety and well being of our patients is our number one priority.
Prior to your surgery a RN will be contacting you. This will be for the purpose of obtaining your health history and will include reviewing a list of any allergies to medications and any medications you take on a regular basis. If you have not received a phone call 2 days prior to your surgery, please call 489-4277 and ask for a RN to help complete this information. This will also allow for opportunity to review all instructions and you may ask any questions you may have prior to the day of surgery.
How to Prepare
Arrangements to be made before surgery:
- The day of surgery YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A RESPOSIBLE ADULT TO DRIVE YOU HOME AND BE WITH YOU THE FIRST 24 HRS. AFTER SURGERY. This person should remain in the Surgery Center or be available by phone. A taxicab is not permitted for transportation following surgery.
- All minors (18 years or under) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents/Guardians may not leave the Surgery Center while your child is having surgery. If a child, age 12 or under, is having surgery, two people should be available for the ride home, one person to assist the child and one for driving. For their added comfort they may bring a favorite toy or blanket.
- Stop all anti-inflammatories and aspirin 7 days prior to surgery.
- If you have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes please contact the Surgery Center or your physician’s office for any additional tests that may be required.
- If you are having lower extremity surgery, please remember you will need crutches unless otherwise instructed by your physician’s office.
- If you are traveling a distance, you may want to bring a pillow or blanket for your trip home.
- The average length of stay is three hours, including pre-operative and recovery time, so whoever is accompanying you to your surgery may want to bring a book or magazine. We will try and make their waiting time as pleasant as possible by providing coffee, tea and reading material.
- Your surgery time may be moved up. Be available and prepared on the day of surgery to arrive earlier if your are contacted.
Please follow carefully; failure to adhere to these instructions is likely to result in surgery cancellation.
- DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER 12:00 MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY. (Unless otherwise instructed by the RN at the Surgery Center) THIS INCLUDES DRINKING WATER, CHEWING GUM /MINTS, CHEWING TOBACCO OR SMOKING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN A CANCELLED SURGERY. Anything in your stomach prior to surgery can cause serious hazard to your health and/or serious complications during your surgery.
- For children under the age of 6: Please contact the Surgery Center for diet requirements. These may differ from adult requirements.
- For Patients with Diabetes: Please contact the surgery center for diet requirements, these instructions may vary depending on the severity of the diabetes and history of insulin requirements.
- Medications: Take only the medications you are instructed to take by the RN at the Surgery Center. Take these with only a small sip of water as early as possible the morning of surgery.
Please inform your nurse prior to surgery if you are taking any herbal medications. - Please notify your physician or the Surgery Center if you develop any illness prior to surgery.
- Bathe or shower the night before or the morning of surgery.
- Contact lenses must be removed prior to surgery.
- All jewelry must be removed prior to surgery. This includes rings watches and all piercing.
- Do not wear any makeup (especially lipstick) or nail polish.
- Removable dental work, false eyelashes, and wigs may need to be removed prior to surgery.
- Please wear comfortable, loose clothing that will fit over post-op dressings.
- Please do not shave the area where you will be having surgery at least 2 days prior to surgery.
- If you have any cuts, scrapes or burns around the surgery site please notify your surgeon prior to the day of surgery.
The Patient Self-Determination Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1991, requires Intermountain Surgery Center to inform all adult patients of their rights under state law to make their own medical care decisions. In your patient packet is an information sheet, "Advanced Directives: which outlines informed consent, advance directives and Intermountain Surgery Center's written policies supporting your patient rights. If you do not have this sheet please ask your nurse.
Links to Ambulatory Surgery Center Information:
Ambulatory Surgery Center Fact Sheet