The Orthopedic Surgery Center of Arizona (TOSCA) wants each and every patient to be as comfortable as possible during their visit to our facility. Knowing what to expect as a patient helps in removing some of the anxiety related to the upcoming procedure(s). Below is information that TOSCA hopes will be of assistance to you.

Outpatient surgery allows a person to return home on the same day that a surgical procedure is performed.

  • Outpatient surgery eliminates inpatient hospital admission, as well as reduces the amount of medication prescribed.
  • Outpatient surgery is suited best for healthy people undergoing minor or intermediate procedures. Recently, people with more complex medical problems are undergoing outpatient surgery, and the types and complexity of surgical procedures have expanded significantly.
  • More than 70% of elective surgery procedures in the United States are currently performed as outpatient surgeries. Health experts expect this percentage will increase to nearly 75% over the next decade.
  • Outpatient surgery has developed over the past 3 decades for a number of reasons, including the following:
    • Improved surgical instruments
    • Less invasive surgical techniques due to technological advancements
    • A team approach in preparing a person for surgery and home recovery that involves both a surgeon and an anesthesiologist
    • The desire to reduce health care costs
    • Faster acting and more effective anesthetic agents


For the procedure, the individual is positioned on his or her side, stomach, or back.

Throughout the surgery, the anesthesia team closely monitors the individual to ensure his or her safety and comfort. Medication is given to the person not only to provide anesthesia but also to control the heart rate and blood pressure.

Recovery
With the completion of surgery, the clinical and anesthesia team bring the individual to a recovery room where he or she continues to awaken fully from the sedation. Recovery times vary depending on the procedure(s) performed, as well as each individual patient’s health and tolerance.

Ideally, the individual wakes up with minimal to no pain or discomfort. If significant pain is experienced, a nurse should be informed immediately. The recovery nurse monitors and treats the individual if other problems arise, such as nausea, vomiting, chills, and low or high blood pressure. An anesthesiologist is also available to assist in the recovery room.

TOSCA has strict discharge criteria. The individual must meet the following criteria before being released:
  • Have stable vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, temperature, and pain level)
  • Tolerate food and drink (Tolerating food and drink is important because oral medications may need to be taken to relieve pain or to prevent infection.)


A responsible adult must be present at the time of discharge to assist the individual in going home. In addition, this adult should be with the individual at all times for the first 24 hours to provide help when necessary and to call for help should a problem arise.
  • Before going home, the person should have written instructions on the following:
    • Whom to contact if a problem or complication occurs
    • What medication to take for pain
    • Activity level, and when a return to work is possible
    • When to start eating
    • Where to go if evaluation or admission to a hospital is necessary
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