ACSC Patient Care
and what to expect

At ACSC we understand that surgery can be a challenging and emotional experience. We want you to understand your rights as a patient and what you can expect from our team throughout your experience at ACSC.

Procedures

Taking appropriate procedures out of hospitals allows our surgeons to put the patient first, providing increased safety with excellent caring staff and timely discharge. We provide quality outcomes at reduced rates with patients at the center of all we do before, during, and after their procedure.
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Pacemaker
  • Implantable loop recorder
  • Defibrillator
  • Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
  • Electrophysiology Studies with Ablations for Cardiac Arrhythmias
You can review or download these patient handouts to learn more.
Patient Info
Health Care Transparency
Confidentiality
Advanced Directives

Quality of Care

You have the right to:

  • respectful treatment, which recognizes and maintains your dignity and values;
  • care in a safe setting;
  • identification of all health care providers;
  • know who is primarily responsible for your care;
  • pastoral and/or spiritual support;
  • interpreters and/or special equipment to assist language needs;
  • information about continuing health care requirements following discharge; and
  • an experience that is free from all forms of abuse and harassment.
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Before Surgery

  • Notify your physician if you develop an infection or illness.
  • Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home.
  • Please remove makeup, hairpins, contact lenses, and jewelry (including body piercings).
  • Any special lab tests or x-rays will be arranged by your physician and available to the center.
  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows plenty of room for post-operative dressings.
  • On the day prior to your surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions concerning food and fluid intake.
  • Know what medications should or shouldn’t be taken.
  • Have someone drive you to and from Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center (ACSC). Someone should stay with you for the first postoperative evening and day after your discharge.
  • ACSC staff will call to give you instructions at least 24 hours before your scheduled surgery.
  • Bring all your medications with you. If you are staying overnight, you will be taking your own medications. Pharmacy services are not available.

After Surgery

  • Specific Instructions will be explained by your doctor and the nurses, and written instructions will be sent home with you. Discharge teaching is a very important aspect of your care and contributes to a successful recovery after your surgery.
  • A nurse will call you the day after your surgery to inquire about your health. DO NOT WAIT for this call if you are having any problems – CALL YOUR DOCTOR, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, OR CALL 911.

Advanced Medical Directives

By law, patients have the right to develop advanced directives that outline their health care choices should they become unable to communicate those decisions. The center will honor advanced directives not related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Because patients are having elective surgery and are in good health, in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest, it is the policy of this organization to make every attempt to save the life of the individual affected. If you need to be transported to the hospital, an effort will be made to communicate your Advanced Directives to the receiving hospital.