Patient Information

In preparation for your surgery or procedure, we ask that you review the information below and bring the appropriate papers as indicated the day of your surgery.

Preparation for Surgery

A physical examination and various tests may need to be completed before your admission. Please confirm with your physician that the examination and tests results are sent to Litchfield Hills Surgery Center.

Medications

If you take blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements, or Vitamin E, please check with your doctor prior to your surgery. You may be advised to stop taking medications for 1 week to 10 days before your surgery which will need to be confirmed with your prescriber. If you were told to take medications the morning of surgery, please take them with only a sip of water.

Instructions Before Your Surgery

Prior to surgery, a representative from Litchfield Hills Surgery Center will call to review your past medical history and your preoperative instructions. If you have any questions about your medical benefit coverage and/or personal responsibilities, please call the business office at (860) 482-4866 and ask for their assistance.

Day Before Surgery

You will be contacted by the surgery center the day before your surgery to provide you your surgery time. If you have not received this call by 3:30 p.m., then please call us at (860) 482-4866.

Please note: If you develop a severe cough or flu-like symptoms in the days prior to your procedure, notify your surgeon and/or the anesthesiologist immediately.

Important Guidelines—What to do, wear, and bring for your surgery

Evening Before Surgery

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or in the morning (including gum, mints, or candy).

Day of Surgery

  • You may brush your teeth the morning of your surgery.
  • You may bathe, but please do not use make-up, hair spray, toiletries, or nail polish.
  • Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing as you will change into a surgical gown.
    • For hand surgery patients, please wear something with large, flexible sleeves and remove any artificial nails.
    • For shoulder surgery patients, a loose fitting “button up the front” shirt is preferable.
  • Please leave contact lenses at home. If that is not possible, please be sure to bring a storage case for them.
  • Leave all jewelry and valuables at home. If you have body piercings, please remove before surgery. Otherwise, the center will ask you to remove them.
  • A responsible adult must be available to transport you to and from the center. Please note that a parent and/or guardian of a minor must remain in the building the entire time the minor is present.
  • Arrange for a ride home. A responsible adult must accompany you home since you will not be allowed to drive, use public transportation, or walk.
  • Once you arrive at the facility, you will be asked to complete necessary paperwork including permission to release information to your insurance company.
  • Bring your insurance ID card.
  • Bring a photo ID card such as a driver’s license.
  • If you have an advance directive, please bring a copy with you for your chart.
  • If a co-pay, co-insurance, or personal payment is due, please bring it with you. We accept cash, personal checks, VISA, and MasterCard.
  • If you have been given an assistive device such as sling, walker, or crutches, please bring it with you the day of surgery.
  • Please contact us if there are any cultural, ethnic, or religious beliefs that may influence the type of care we provide for you.
  • IMPORTANT: Please bring a complete list of all your current medications. Medication Reconciliation List (PDF download)

For your convenience, you can download “Your Surgery Checklist,” to make sure that you bring all the necessary information the day of your surgery.

Note: The documents shown are available in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). To view these files, you will need to install a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you don’t have it, you may download it from the Adobe website. After you have downloaded and installed this software on your computer, please come back to this page and try again.

Anesthesia Services

These services are provided by Integrated Anesthesia Associates, who are specialists in outpatient anesthesia. On the day of your surgery, your anesthesiologist will discuss with you in detail the recommended anesthesia plan for your surgery/procedure and answer any questions you may have regarding the plan.

Following Your Surgery

After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where our professional staff will provide for your continued care. When you are ready for discharge, your nurse will review with you and your care provider the postoperative instructions from your physician and your anesthesiologist.

  • You may NOT drive yourself home, use public transportation, or walk.
  • A responsible adult should stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.

At-Home Recovery

Follow complete instructions given to you by your physician and our staff. Please alert your physician to any symptoms or changes in your condition. Within 48 hours, a recovery room nurse will call to see how you are progressing and answer any questions.

Patient Forms