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The physicians and staff of Unity Surgical Center (USC) place your health and safety as our top priority.  We closely monitor public health concerns including COVID-19 and follow recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and the Tippecanoe County Health Department (TCHD).  We provide outpatient surgical care following safety protocols to protect patients, their families, and our staff.  USC follows frequent and extensive cleaning protocols for all areas of the surgery center and 23-hour suites, and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used. Please contact us through this website or call us at 765-446-5000 if you have any questions or concerns about your surgery or our precautions for COVID-19.

SCREENING FOR PATIENTS: Every patient that is scheduled for surgery at Unity Surgical Center will be screened with questions prior to the day of surgery as well as upon entry into the building.  The screening questions include presence of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, or COVID -19 exposure.  Prior to the day of surgery, these questions may be asked by phone or text.  If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, please call (765-446-5000) for further evaluation and instructions.  If after hours, please call your surgeon’s office.  Patients will also have their temperatures checked prior to entering the surgery center. If patients have any screening signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they may be asked to have a pre-operative COVID-19 test (nasal swab). Any patient testing positive or who is suspect for active COVID-19 will have their surgery deferred.

VISITORS/DRIVERS: All visitors will also be screened with questions and a temperature check prior to admission into the surgery center. Any visitor with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or known to be COVID-19 positive will be asked to remain outside of the surgery center. If the patient’s accompanying family member or driver does not come into the surgical center, or if they choose to leave the center during the procedure, we ask that they remain accessible by cell phone and stay in the close vicinity of USC. We will be happy to provide phone updates and discharge instructions.

MASKS FOR PATIENTS AND VISITORS: Patients and visitors may choose to wear a mask while in Unity Surgical Center for any reason and may request our staff to wear a mask in their presence as well. If a patient or visitor has any symptoms of respiratory infection or has had a possible COVID-19 exposure, entry into USC will be determined individually by our administrative clinical staff. If entry is permitted, use of a properly fitted mask may be required.

Thank you for your understanding and compliance with these precautions.

We are closely monitoring the COVID -19 pandemic. Learn more.

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FAQ’s

Why can’t I eat solid food before anesthesia?

Any time you receive sedating or anesthetizing intravenous medications, there is a risk that the stomach contents may come back up and cause choking or pneumonia. This is also true for dairy products and any non-clear liquids. Refrain from all of these foods in the 8 hours before surgery.

What kinds of liquids are safe to drink in the time up to 4 hours before anesthesia/surgery?

Any clear liquids are safe until 4 hours before surgery (3 hours for infants up to 18 months).  Clear liquids that are especially good include carbohydrate drinks that you can see through, like Gatorade or Powerade.  Juices that are clear (no pulp) are fine, as well as black coffee (no cream).  Do NOT drink protein shakes, nutritional supplement drinks, dairy, or juices with any pulp in the 8 hours before surgery.

What if I can’t get my jewelry off?

For your safety, it is recommended that all jewelry, including piercings, be removed prior to anesthesia and surgery (please leave them at home). If you are unable to get the jewelry off, sometimes a jeweler can help. If your jewelry is still stuck when you arrive at the surgery center, a ring cutter or wire cutter may be used. Depending on the site of surgery and type of anesthesia, occasional exceptions might be made.

Is USC prepared for an emergency?

Operating and recovery rooms at Unity Surgical Center have emergency equipment on hand and nursing staff hold advanced certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Read More

What do I need to bring with me the day of surgery?

Please bring your insurance information (change verbiage), driver’s license, medication list, and sleep apnea equipment. Also, wear comfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take off. For example, wear shirts that button up the front or loose-fitting slacks. Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home. Bring any paperwork for the day of surgery that was given to you by your surgeon’s office.

What should I do if I need to cancel my surgery?

Please call Unity Surgical Center at 765-446-5000 and your physician as soon as possible.  If you call after hours, an answering message will instruct you in leaving a message.  You will need to contact your physician to reschedule your procedure.

Can I drive home after the procedure?

Please arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours following the procedure, both to help ensure your safety and for compliance with state and federal health and safety regulations.  If you are arranging transportation through a cab or transport service, you must have a friend or family member accompany you to and from the surgery center. This person will sign discharge paperwork and assume responsibility for your care upon discharge. If you do not have a ride or someone to remain with you the first 24 hours, no procedure or surgery will be performed.

Will my family be able to visit me after my procedure?

One or two family members may visit the patient during the postoperative phase. We are happy to give family members waiting in the reception area periodic updates on the patient’s condition until visitation is possible.

Who can sign the consents for minors?

In general, only biological parents, adoptive parents (if adoption is greater than 6 months), and court appointed legal guardians may give consent for surgical procedures. Legal guardians, adoptive parents (if adoption is less than 6 months), foster parents and court appointed custodians must provide a copy of their legal papers to the surgeon’s office prior to the date of surgery.   A copy of any legal documentation needs to be placed in the patient’s medical record. If you are a foster parent, please contact your case worker for assistance. Please remember to bring your photo identification and any legal papers with you on the day of surgery.

What if the patient gets sick before surgery?

Call the surgeon’s office immediately if the patient develops a cough, cold or flu symptoms, fever, diarrhea, or has been diagnosed with pneumonia within seven (7) days of surgery.

Why does everyone keep checking my ID bracelet? Don’t they know who I am?

Your name, date of birth, and the planned procedure will be reviewed with you many times while you are in the pre-op surgery area. The medical staff knows who you are, but these are safety checks carefully done for every patient to make sure that the correct surgery is performed on the correct patient.

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