Same Day Pre-Surgery Instructions
These instructions apply for patients who are scheduled through the SAME DAY SURGERY unit. For you, and for us, no surgery is minor-ALL surgery requires careful preparation. YOUR COOPERATION IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Arrival Time
1. PLEASE BE ON TIME to prevent delays. On the day of your surgery you may park in the back of the Hospital. You can follow the map to the SAME DAY SURGERY UNIT. If you need assistance, you may ask at the information desk at the back of the hospital (ER) for help.
2. The patient needs to call Same Day Surgery at 823.6599 the day before they are scheduled for their surgery time between 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm. If surgery is scheduled on Monday, call Same Day Surgery on Friday.
3. Please be aware of the following information: Your surgery may be moved ahead. Be prepared to come in early. We will call you if this happens. Also, emergencies may cause delays in your scheduled operating room time. Please be patient. Please provide the hospital a phone number where you can be reached the day of your surgery.
Preparation
1. DO NOT eat or drink ANYTHING after MIDNIGHT (12:00 am) the night before your surgery. This includes chewing gum, candy or mints. This also includes water, ginger ale, black tea, black coffee or jello.
2. If you are instructed to bring your current medications from home, please bring them in the bottle from the Pharmacy that is clearly labeled. DO NOT take medications (including insulin) before coming to the Hospital unless instructed to do so by your physician or nurse.
If you are staying overnight after surgery, make sure that a family member will be with you to take your medications home. Otherwise, bring only a complete list of medications, including dosage and frequency. Also, bring a list of any allergies you have to medications, food, or latex and list the reaction you have.
3. On the morning of your surgery DO NOT eat candy or mints, chew gum, or use tobacco or snuff. You should brush your teeth and spit out the water. If you make a mistake and eat or drink, please tell us. For your safety, your surgery may be rescheduled.
4. If you develop a cold, fever of 100 degrees or higher, stomachache, diarrhea, or other illness, tell your doctor right away. For your safety, your surgery may be rescheduled.
5. Plan to get a good might's sleep the night before your procedure. Shower and wash your hair the night before surgery. Do not use powders or lotions.
6. DO NOT wear makeup, jewelry, nail polish, hairpins or hair clips. DO NOT wear nylon underwear, DO NOT bring large amounts of cash or valuables. Please remove all body piercings.
7. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you are heaving surgery on your arm or leg, make sure you wear something loose enough so that you can get your clothes on over the bandage. You may also want to bring several pillows and leave them in the car to make your ride home more comfortable.
8. Let us know if you wear contact lenses, hearing aids, false teeth, or other such things so that we may better care for you and them during surgery. Bring an appropriate storage container and solutions if you wear contact lenses to the Hospital. Please bring a glasses case for your eyeglasses.
9. Don't plan on doing anything important on the day of or the day after your surgery.
If you wear dentures, removable bridgework, etc., they must be removed before surgery or as designated by anesthesia.
The effects of many of our anesthesia drugs go away very slowly. You will be drowsy for a while after your operation. For these reasons, you MUST NOT drive a car, work with machinery, or sign any important papers for at least 24 hours. This is for your safety and the safety of these around you.
10. Outpatient surgery means 'in and out' of the Hospital on the same day. In order for us to do your outpatient surgery, regardless of the type of anesthesia YOU MUST ARRANGE FOR A RESPONSIBLE ADULT to drive you home after your surgery. All patients under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present in the Hospital at all times. It is recommended that someone stay with you at home until you are able to care for yourself.
11. AM Admission surgery means that you will be coming into the Hospital the morning of surgery. After surgery you will be transferred to a room where you will stay. On the morning of surgery, please bring any belongings that you will need to stay overnight at the Hospital. Please bring your belongings into the hospital when you have a room assignment after surgery.
For Children Only
Infants should have NO solid food or milk (milk, formula, or breast milk) after midnight (12:00 am) the night before surgery. You may wake a bottle or breast fed infant and offer clear liquids at 2:00 am.
Please bring a stuffed animal, doll, blanket or pacifier, if needed. If your child drinks from a sippy cup or bottle and would refuse other kinds of nipples after surgery, please bring your child's own empty bottle with nipple to the Hospital.
At the discretion of the Anesthesiologist, one parent may be allowed to go into the operating room with their child while they are going to sleep. At the discretion of the Recovery Room nurse, when your child is awake, ONE parent will be allowed in The Recovery Room.
You must make arrangements for your other children, as they are not allowed in the Recovery Room and cannot be left alone. The waiting area is small and does not accommodate children, especially for long periods of time.
Recovery Room (Post Anesthesia Care Unit)
If you were anesthetized or sedated for your procedure, you will go to the Recovery Room for approximately 30 minutes to one hour. The Same Day Surgery staff will provide support and information regarding your postoperative care. Before you are discharged, a nurse will help you with sitting and walking as directed by your physician. A nurse will review written instructions for home self care with you and/or your family.
Going Home
You will be discharged from the hospital as soon as your physician believes that you are sufficiently recovered and are not experiencing any complications from the surgery or anesthesia. However, in the rare instance that a complication arises, you and/or your family will be notified of where you will need to remain in the hospital overnight for observation and care.
Visitors
Visitors may wait in the waiting room. They may visit the patient during various times while in Same Day Surgery, with the nurse's approval. Please limit the number of family members you bring with you the day of surgery. You may have visitors before your Surgery however NO visitors are permitted for adult patients in the Operating Room or the Recovery area.
We look forward to your visit and hope your stay will be a pleasant one. If you have any further questions, please contact your physician's office or call us directly at (860) 823-6376.