Welcome

The physicians and staff at The ENT Center of Rhode Island welcome you to our facility. The ENT Center of Rhode Island is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center that was designed, equipped and staffed to provide the highest quality patient care for ENT surgery. To assist in preparing for this one-day procedure and to make your stay as comfortable as possible, we ask you to read these instructions.

To assist in preparing for your one-day procedure and to make your stay as comfortable as possible, we ask you to read these instructions.

Pre-surgical assessment: Your "One Medical Passport"

To start the pre-surgical assessment process, The ENT Center of Rhode Island requests that you fill out your medical history online with One Medical Passport

We recommend that you enter your medical history online as soon as your surgery has been scheduled. Once you do this, our Pre-Surgical Assessment nurse will be able to access the information you entered online. This information will assist the nurse in organizing and documenting your complete medical history to prepare for your surgery. Please review the instructions at the end of the questionnaire.

Be sure to have the following information available before starting One Medical Passport:

Your health insurance information.
The names, addresses and phone numbers of your physicians.
A list of all medications you are taking, their dosage and frequency.
A list of surgical procedures you have ever had.
The name of the surgeon who will be performing your upcoming procedure.

In Preparation

The ENT Center of Rhode Island must have all previously requested tests and test results prior to your arrival. Please have them faxed to 401-732-0437 unless your physician has done this for you. Discontinue Aspirin, Aspirin products, NSAIDS (Naproxen or Ibuprofen) Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and herbal supplements unless other-wise advised by your physician. They should be discontinued 2 weeks before your surgery. Please check with you physician regarding any prescription medications you may take.

You must make arrangements to be driven home by a responsible adult and you must also have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours after surgery. If these arrangements are not made, your surgery may be postponed. If you have any special needs for your day of surgery, please inform your surgeon.

Pre-Admission Call

A nurse from The ENT Center of Rhode Island will call 3-4 days prior to surgery between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. with your preoperative instructions and questions regarding your medical history. A member of our billing staff will review your medical benefit coverage and notify you of any personal responsibilities to the facility. In regards to medical billing, the anesthesia fees and any fees for lab work, and physician office fees are billed separately from the facility.

Evening Before Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. Clear liquids, four ounces only, may be taken four hours before arrival time if you are an adult or 2 hours before arrival time if under 12 years of age. Clear liquids include apple juice, ginger ale, or water.

Day of Surgery

Wear comfortable clothes and preferably nothing that needs to be pulled over the head, especially if you are having nasal surgery. We do ask that you bring you medical coverage card and a picture ID, and any payment required, but please do not bring any valuables with you the day of surgery. Do not use cosmetics, make-up or hair spray and remove all jewelry, including body piercings.

Upon check-in, you will be required to sign necessary paperwork, which includes authorization for The ENT Center of Rhode Island to release information to your insurance company.

In the case of minors (under 18 years of age) a parent or guardian must accompany the patient and stay until discharge. Children may bring a favorite toy or DVD to have after surgery.

If you are a woman of child bearing age, please bring a urine sample for pregnancy testing.

For any concerns or complaints, please feel free to contact the facility Administrator or Clinical Director at 401-737-4711.

Your physician has ownership interest in The ENT Center of Rhode Island and you may reschedule your procedure at another facility if you so desire.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a Patient, You Have the Right to:

Considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances with recognition of your personal dignity.
Personal and informational privacy.
Confidentiality of records and disclosures. Except when required by law, you have the right to approve or refuse the release of records.
Information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, to the degree known.
The opportunity to participate in decisions involving your healthcare.
Competent, caring healthcare providers who act as your advocates.
Know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service.
Adequate education regarding self-care at home written in language you can understand.
Make decisions about medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment
Impartial access to treatment regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap, or disability.
Receive an itemized bill for all services.
Report any comments concerning the quality of services provided to you during the time spent at the facility and receive fair follow-up on your comments.
Know about any business relationships among the facility, healthcare providers, and others that might influence your care or treatment.

As a Patient, You Are Responsible for:

Providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present health status including communicable diseases and past medical history and reporting any unexpected changes to the appropriate physician(s).
Following the treatment plan recommended by the primary physician involved in your case.
Providing an adult to transport you home after surgery and an adult to be responsible for you at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Indicating whether you clearly understand a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you and ask questions when you need further information.
Your actions if you refuse treatment, leave the facility against the advice of the physician, and/or do not follow the physician’s instructions relating to your care.
Ensuring that the financial obligations of your healthcare are fulfilled as expediently as possible.
Providing information about and/or copies of any living will, power of attorney, or other directive that you desire us to know about.

No catalog of rights can guarantee the patient the kind of treatment one has a right to expect. This facility has many functions to perform, including the prevention and treatment of disease, the education of both health professionals and patients. All these activities must be conducted with an overriding concern for the patient, and, above all, the recognition of his dignity as a human being. Success in achieving this recognition assures success in the defense of the rights of the patient.

Any complaints regarding this policy should be addressed to :

Kristina Slovak,RN Clinical Director or Theresa Bennett, RN Administrator
or
Rhode Island Department of Health
Office of Facilities Regulation
Complaints Unit
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-5200

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

ADVANCED DIRECTIVES

This facility does not provide implementation of advanced directives, however, the following protocol is in place:

This facility will post information at the front desk regarding our policy on advance directives.
All patients will be asked if they have advance directives.
All patients are given information regarding The ENT Center advance directives prior to their surgery date.
All patients will be informed that this facility does not honor advance directives.
All patients who present with advance directive (DNR order) will be asked to sign a waiver stating, “ while at The ENT Center the DNR order will not be honored”.
A copy of the advance directive, if applicable, will be placed in the patients chart.
All patients in life threatening situations will have life sustained at this facility and be transferred to the hospital via ambulance.
A copy of the chart (to include the advance directive waiver, if applicable) will be transferred with the patient to the hospital.

<< back to top >>