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FAQs
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling the office at 516-632-3350. If your insurance requires a referral kindly make the request to the referring physician’s office prior to your appointment date.
Can my family and/or friends accompany me?
Patients are encouraged to bring a family member or friend with them for support and to act as your liaison. Dr. Datta believes in building strong relationships with both his patients and their families. At times it is not only comforting to have a family member with you, at the same time this person also serves as your advocate asking questions you may have forgotten.
What do I need to bring with me to my office visit?
When you schedule your appointment the staff will ask you to have your records faxed to the office as soon as possible. This is requested so that we can schedule those patients in need of an urgent visit accordingly. On the day of the visit you may need to bring original or copies of your radiology studies. For example, cat scans, mammograms, sonograms or Pet scans.
How do I obtain my records and films?
In order to obtain your written reports and records you have to request them to be sent to our office due to the Privacy Act. As far as original radiology films or copies of films you must request them from the radiologist that performed the study. There may be a fee associated with this depending on the radiologist’s policies. If you have had your studies done at South Nassau Communities Hospital you do not need to get your films, we can access them ourselves.
How quickly will I have surgery?
All patients requiring immediate emergency surgery will be accommodated accordingly. Some patients may require further work-up prior to surgery including radiological exams and or biopsies. Every effort is taken to schedule a date that is convenient for the patient and their families resulting in a positive experience for all.
Where does Dr. Datta operate?
Dr. Datta only operates at South Nassau Communities Hospital where he is the Chief of Surgical Oncology and Head & Neck surgery.
What is Pre Surgical Testing and where do I go?
Normally one week before your surgery date you will have to undergo pre surgical testing at the main hospital in Oceanside. If your surgery is being scheduled quickly it may be only a few days prior to surgery. Our office will schedule this appointment for you and give you a form to bring with you. You will have to report to the outpatient registration area located at the Washington Avenue entrance of the Hospital. Please make sure you bring the Pre Surgical Testing form with you. Many times this is done early in the morning before our office opens and we will not be able to fax a new form for you until after 9AM.
All patients will have lab tests done, an EKG and a Chest X-ray. Some patients may have additional studies performed. These tests are standard requirements for anesthesia. The results of these tests will be sent to your primary care physician for medical clearance.
What is Medical Clearance and how do I get it?
Medical clearance is a letter from your primary care physician stating that you can undergo anesthesia and the procedure as planned. You must make an appointment with your respective physician once you have a date for surgery and an appointment for pre surgical testing. When making this appointment it is best to schedule it a day after pre surgical testing but at least 2 days before surgery in order to avoid any complications. At your appointment the physician will review the results of your pre surgical testing and base his or her recommendation accordingly.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Some of our patients may require special preps for their bowel if they are undergoing colon surgery. Instructions for this will be given to you at the time of your visit if necessary. Some patients will also be asked to maintain a special diet, for example clear liquid or soft diet.
Here are some sample menus for a clear liquid diet:
Breakfast:
- Apple Juice
- Chicken Broth
- Gelatin
- Coffee
- Decaf Coffee
- Sugar
- Sugar Sub
- Tea
- Hot Decaf Tea
- Lemon Juice
Lunch:
- Vegetable Broth
- Gelatin
- Apple Juice
- Fruit Ice
- Coffee
- Decaf Coffee
- Sugar
- Sub
Dinner:
- Chicken Broth
- Gelatin
- Apple Juice
- Fruit Ice
- Coffee
- Decaf Coffee
- Sugar
- Tea
- Hot Decaf Tea
- Iced Tea
- Lemon Juice
Please remember you can have any clear liquid including frozen Italian Ices, Ice pops, and Jello just not red or blue. You can also have Gatorade and other sport drinks.
What Insurance does the doctor participate in?
- Aetna
- Aetna PPO/POS
- Anthem
- BCE-Emergis (Formerly United Payor/United Providers)
- Beech Street
- Better Health Plan
- BC/BS HMO/POS/Network One
- BC/BS PPO/EPO Indemnity
- Blue Choice Senior Plan
- Cigna PPO
- Cigna HMO
- Devon Health Services
- Fidelis
- First Health
- Galaxy Health Network
- GHI HMO
- GHI PPO
- Health First
- Healthnet (Formerly PHS)
- Local 1199
- Magnacare/Magnahealth
- MDNY
- Medicaid
- Medicare Individual
- Multiplan
- One Health Plan/Great West
- Oxford Liberty/Oxford Freedom
- PHCS
- Select PRO/JJ Newman
- United Healthcare Downstate
- United Medicaid
- The Empire Plan
- Railroad Medicare
- Vytra
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