If you are undergoing an outpatient examination, treatment or surgery, you can return home on the same day. This is the case for patients who come to the hospital for radiation treatment or dialysis, for example. Also for minor surgical procedures, patients are more and more frequently able to return home on the same day.

Do you have CSS myFlex insurance?

If you have CSS myFlex insurance, the additional services may under certain circumstances be covered by your insurance company. Contact your health insurance company to this end or enquire at css.ch/oni

Do you have Helsana Primeo insurance?

If you have Helsana Primeo insurance, the additional services are already included in your insurance. Contact your health insurance company to this end or enquire at helsana.ch/primeo

Before your admission

As soon as your doctor has notified the hospital about your visit, you will receive the admission forms. After you have completed the forms and returned them to the hospital, your registration process is complete.

The hospital will request cost coverage from your insurer. If we have not received this, we will ask you to pay a deposit before you are admitted to the hospital.  

Before the examination or treatment, the attending doctor will meet with you to discuss the examination procedure. The nursing staff will provide you with information about any physical or medical preparations in due time. The clinic will inform you of the entry time well in advance. 

Anesthesia talk

The planned anesthesia will be discussed in detail, as well as whether additional examinations are necessary.

Eating and drinking 

If you are scheduled to receive general or local anaesthesia, you may have a light meal no later than midnight on the night before your surgery. You must not eat anything during the five hours before admission to the hospital. You may still consume clear fluids (but not milk, for example) up to two hours before admission to the hospital. In the two hours directly before your admission, you must not ingest anything at all (including sweets, chewing gum or cigarettes).

Medication

If you are taking any regular medications, please ask your family doctor or attending doctor whether you can take this medication on the morning of your operation. Bring all your medications with you, including their original packaging. 

Arrival

For outpatient procedures, we recommend that you take a taxi or have someone drive you to the hospital. According to the current legal provisions, patients are considered unfit to drive vehicles or sign contracts for 24 hours after undergoing an anaesthesia. If you wish, the clinic will happily help you organise transport. 

Admission to the hospital

Please check in at the reception desk when you arrive. You will be received by a member of our nursing staff. They will then provide you with all of the other organisational and scheduling details and accompany you to the operating theatre. Then you will be prepared for surgery.

Please remember to adhere to the following guidelines for your admission:

  • Take a shower at home
  • No make-up and no skin products (moisturiser)
  • No rings, earrings, necklaces or any other jewellery (piercings)
  • Bring your hearing aid, glasses, contact lenses with you

Discharge from the hospital

After the procedure, you will be monitored by the anaesthesiologist and nursing staff and individually cared for until you are discharged. Generally, patients can return home on the same day as the operation. In consultation with your attending doctor, the anaesthetist will set the exact time. 

Prior to your discharge, your doctor or nursing staff will provide instructions on any medications you need to take and on wound and personal care. 

Returning home

For outpatient procedures, we recommend that you take a taxi or have someone drive you to home. According to the current legal provisions, patients are considered unfit to drive vehicles or sign contracts for 24 hours after undergoing an anaesthesia. If you wish, the clinic will happily help you organise transport. 

After your stay

Health problems

If you start to feel unwell at home or cannot relieve severe pain with the prescribed medication, call your treating doctor or the clinic. They will help you competently and quickly.

Follow-up check at the doctor's

Your family doctor will be informed about your medical state with a discharge report. The medical follow-up can either take place with your family doctor or the attending physician. 

FAQ

Why will my procedure be performed on an outpatient basis?

Medical advances have made it possible to perform certain minor surgical procedures on an outpatient basis, without having to sacrifice quality.  

Specialists in the following fields offer outpatient procedures: 

  • General surgery
  • Vascular surgery 
  • Gynaecology 
  • Ophthalmology 
  • Orthopaedics and hand surgery 
  • Ear-nose-throat (ENT)
  • Urology

Can I stay at the hospital overnight after my outpatient surgery?

Yes, if due to a medical reason (the insurance company will bear the costs) or if the patient wishes this based on a subjective need (the patient will bear the costs).  

Why do I have to pay for the overnight stay myself?

Basic insurance does not cover overnight stays for outpatient procedures unless inpatient monitoring is indicated for specific medical reasons. However, this is unusual for outpatient procedures.

I am privately insured. Why won’t my supplementary insurance cover the overnight stay?

Private supplementary hospital insurance covers inpatient care, but certain insurance policies cover overnight stays for outpatient procedures. Most insurance policies do not include this benefit. We recommend contacting your insurer directly.

I have supplementary outpatient insurance. What services will I receive?

If you have private supplementary insurance, you will be able to enjoy a range of additional services. The respective surgical centre will gladly provide you with further details.

If you have CSS myflex Hospitalisation Insurance, the additional services may already be included in your supplementary hospital insurance. Contact your health insurance provider to find out more.
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