Surgical Services

Our Facility

Surgical Services at American Fork Hospital specializes in a wide array of same-day and inpatient surgical procedures, with the exception of neurosurgery and open heart surgery. Our team consists of physicians, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and technicians who are focused on providing high-quality, safe and compassionate care to patients of all ages.

Surgical specialties include:

• ENT – ears, nose and throat
• Endoscopy​
• Orthopedics – bones & joints, including total knee & hip replacement
• Ophthalmology – eyes
• Podiatry – feet
• Plastics/Cosmetic/Reconstructive Surgery
• Gynecology – female reproductive
• Genito/Urology
• Spine Procedures
• General Surgery
• Same-day Surgery

Surgical Services is located on the south side of the hospital campus where patients can enter through a separate Same-day Surgery entrance. Whether you are doing same-day surgery or staying in the hospital after surgery, all scheduled surgery patients should report to Same Day Surgery on the day of surgery.​​​​

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Pre-Op Hop

The Pre-Op Hop is a fun, interactive class and tour for children ages 2 to 12 who are having surgery at American Fork Hospital.

Children and parents will enjoy

• Activities to help children get accustomed to sights and sounds they may experience during their surgical experience
• Guided tours of surgical areas allow children and parents to know where they will be on the day of surgery.
• General education about surgery, as well as opportunities to ask questions and address concerns about surgery.

Class Schedule

Wednesdays at 4:30pm
Meet in the Main Lobby
Register by calling: (801) 357-4872

The Pre-Op Hop is made possible through generous funding grants from the Utah Valley Healthcare Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation or make a donation yourself, contact the Utah Valley Healthcare Foundation at (801) 357-7600.​​

Before Surgery

Knowing what to expect about an upcoming surgery can provide comfort to both you and your family. To help in your preparation, we have outlined information that allows you to take care of some important items before you come to the hospital.

Scheduling

Your surgeon's office will schedule your procedure with our scheduling staff. If necessary, they will contact you with any individualized information and instructions prior to your procedure. It is your responsibility to pre-authorize the procedure with the insurance company; check with your physician's office staff to see if they provide this service.

Registering

Step 1

• Patients must pre-register by calling the number above Monday through Friday 8 am-9 pm.
• Have your insurance information available.
• The Patient Service Representative can send you a link to fill out the health history forms online.
• Financial assistance is available for qualifying patients:
  • Patient Billing & Financial Assistance  

Step 2

Health History Forms

Complete the required Surgery Health & Medication History forms using one of these options:

• Have a list of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications ready.
• Complete the Surgery Health History & Medication forms securely online. Access to these online history forms is initiated by calling the Pre-Register number above.
• Give your surgery health history to a registered nurse on the phone by calling the Pre-Screen Nurse.

NOTE: We are required for hospital accreditation to have you fill out specific Intermountain surgical health & medication history forms-- which may be in addition to the history forms needed by your surgeon or doctor.

Notice of Privacy Practices  

Step 3

Preparing for your SurgeryShow All

Why can't I have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery?

Because stomach contents are hazardous when having any type of anesthesia. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRE-PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION - DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE ANYTHING after midnight the night before your procedure, unless otherwise instructed.

• Gum, breath mints, chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco and vitamins are not to be used within four hours prior to coming to the hospital/surgical center.
• Children under the age of three may have clear liquids until 3 a.m. Clear liquids are defined as: water, apple juice or lemon-lime soda. Breast milk may be given up to midnight.

What about my medications?

• DO take your heart, blood pressure, asthma, Parkinson's or seizure medications with a sip of water the morning of your procedure.
• DO NOT take any other medications 12 hours prior to procedure. This includes any oral diabetic medication or insulin, unless instructed by the nurse or physician. Bring your insulin with you.
• Please bring a list of all medications (including herbal and over the counter medications) with you the day of your procedure.
• Use your asthma or other lung inhalers in the morning and be sure to bring them with you.
• If you are on oxygen at home, bring it with you.
• If you use CPAP at home, bring it with you.
• Contact your physician for instructions if you are taking aspirin, aspirin products, blood thinners, MAO inhibitors, or have taken diet pills (phen/fen or redux). Some medications need to be stopped a few days before the procedure.
• Heart cath patients: STOP coumadin 2-4 days prior to the procedure as directed by your physician.
• Cardioversion patients: CONTINUE coumadin as directed by your physician.
• Electrophysiology Study (EPS) patients: STOP antiarrythmic medications as directed by your physician.
• Contact your physician for instructions if you are taking aspirin, aspirin products, MAO inhibitors, or have taken diet pills (phen/fen or redux). Some medications need to be stopped a few days before the procedure.

What if I have special needs (i.e., diabetic, disability, language)?

• Call us and let us know what your needs are.
• Free translation services are available 24-hours-a-day in all spoken languages and ASL.

What if I feel ill before my procedure?

Notify your surgeon if you develop any of the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Cough or congestion
• Chicken Pox exposure/illness within two weeks of surgery
• Any other problems that may interfere with your scheduled surgery

How should I get ready?

• Bathe and shampoo before coming to the hospital - this helps to prevent infection.
• Make sure your hair is dry prior to arriving. Pull back long hair with an elastic band.
• Wear loose clothing that is easy to get off and on, which will fit over a dressing.
• Do not wear any makeup or jewelry (including any body piercing) or metal hair accessories.
• Do not bring other valuables.

What should I bring with me?

• Cases for eyeglasses, contact lenses or hearing aids. All personal belongings will remain with your family member during the procedure.
• If you are staying overnight in the hospital - bring a small bag with personal items only (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb or brush, shaving kit, other toiletries).
• Cash or a credit card for your co-pays (depending on your insurance) and filling any post-surgical prescriptions. Note: The cost of prescriptions cannot be added to your bill, unless under Workers' Compensation.
• The following documents, if applicable: Photo ID (such as a driver's license), insurance card(s), Medicare and/or Medicaid cards, a completed Living Will (if you have one).

Should someone come with me?

• Two visitors - family members or friends - are welcome, but no children under 12 years of age, please.
• One family member should stay within the facility during your stay to receive instructions from the surgical team.
• A parent or guardian of a patient under 18 should stay in the facility until the patient is discharged. (If you are a guardian of a patient, bring copies of forms indicating guardianship or power of attorney.)
• A responsible person should be prepared to drive you home. Driving yourself home is NOT permitted. If you do not have a responsible person to drive you home, your procedure will be cancelled.
• A responsible adult should be prepared to care for you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.

Day of Surgery

Reception and Admitting

Complete admissions paperwork prior to your procedure:

• Prepare to sign the informed consent form by reviewing the Consent for Operation/Procedure & Patient Info sheet below. Read details about the consent form and the possible risks of the procedure. This form is for review only. You will be asked to sign the actual document after meeting with your physician on the day of your procedure.
  • Consent for Operation/Procedure & Patient Info
• You will also be given information about anesthesia, physicians and the facility, which includes an acknowledgment of these various providers contributing to your care and the potential for separate billings.
• The required forms will be completed at this time if you have not already provided the information online.
  • Privacy Practices 
• Review your insurance information and provide any co-pays. Depending on your insurance, co-pays may be collected at this time or billed to you.
• Read the following material:
  • Discharge Instructions (depending on your procedure and the surgeon's preference).
  • Review the pain management brochure. Nurses will ask you to rate your pain according to the numeric or picture scale, described in the section Rating Your Pain. This scale will help nursing staff effectively evaluate and manage your pain. If you have any questions, ask the pre-operative nurse prior to surgery.

Pre-Operative Area

• You'll be taken to a private area for changing from regular clothes to hospital clothes.
• A registered nurse will perform an assessment, and you will be prepared for surgery. This may include: having vital signs and weight measured, starting an IV (intravenous) line, drawing lab tests, possible urine sample, skin prep and marking of operative site, if necessary.
• You can be provided with a warm blanket, magazines, games and activities, TV or music tapes with headphones, if you choose. Music tapes may be taken with you into surgery.
• You'll learn about your anesthesia, the medication that will help to keep you comfortable during your procedure. Anesthesia will be provided based on your surgery type, your health status, and the anesthesia members on duty at the time of your procedure. All anesthesiologists are medical doctors with special training in the field of anesthesiology.
• There are four different types of anesthesia that can be used:
  • General: You are totally asleep and aware of nothing.
  • IV Regional: You are given medication to relax and numb the area so you do not feel pain.
    Monitored (MAC): You may or may not be asleep, but you will feel comfortable. You may be aware of what is going on during the procedure.
  • Local: You may receive medication as needed through an IV to keep you relaxed. A registered nurse, under direction of your surgeon, will administer medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you. Please feel free at this time to ask any questions regarding your procedure.
• Children may be medicated prior to surgery. The medication makes children unsteady and likely to fall. If medicated, parents must watch their child closely at all times.
• Waiting times before your procedure starts will vary. The actual time your surgery begins will depend on longer or shorter surgery times and emergencies. We will make every effort to keep you informed if a delay occurs.
• You can walk or be transported in a wheelchair to the operative area by a member of the surgical team.
• Your family will be shown where to wait during your surgery. No family may be permitted in the operating room during the surgery.

Operating Room / Surgical Area

• Your physician will visit with you. Please feel free at this time to ask any questions regarding your procedure.
  • Questions Patients Frequently Ask
• A registered nurse will ask once more for your name, allergies, food intake status and to identify the surgical site.
• Monitors will be applied and a warm blanket provided.
• Local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area before the procedure begins.
• A sedative (conscious sedation) will be given during the procedure. It is important for you to remain awake so your can follow your doctor's verbal instructions, such as breathing deep or coughing.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

• Your recovery begins with individual nursing care - including pain management.
• An average time of 30-45 minutes is spent in the PACU; as little as 10 minutes and up to two hours or more, depending on your needs, the type of anesthesia and the procedure performed.
• Family will not be able to visit in the PACU.
• Once you have met specific medical criteria, you will be discharged to the post-operative area.

Post-Operative Area

Recuperation

• You will stay in bed for a period of time, which may include lying flat for several hours.

A registered nurse will

• Take vital signs.
• Treat any nausea/vomiting.
• Manage pain, if needed.
• Offer fluids.
• Provide discharge education (both written and verbal) to you and to the person who is taking you home.

Prescriptions

• Your physician will provide any discharge prescriptions necessary.
• Have family or appropriate visitors fill these before leaving the facility.
• The hospital pharmacy accepts most insurance plans.

Going Home

• You will be observed and made comfortable until you have met medical criteria.
• This stage may be as brief as 30 minutes, or as long as 4 hours, depending on your needs, type of anesthesia and the procedure performed.
• If needed, a staff member will accompany you out of the building when you are discharged. You may walk to your car, if feeling well enough, or be assisted in a wheelchair. 

After Surgery

Billing