Information for the Family
At William W. Backus Hospital, our goal is to alleviate that stress as much as possible. It is our privilege to offer this information as a resource while you wait.
What You Can Do
Decide where you want to wait and who will speak to the doctor. If you choose to wait somewhere other than the hospital, please provide the name and correct phone number of the contact person. Alert people that you are expecting this call. Keep phone lines clear.
If you wish to wait in the hospital and do not plan to remain in the waiting room, beepers are available. These can be obtained at the front desk of the Same Day Surgery Unit. Beepers only function on hospital grounds. Once you are paged, please return to the waiting room promptly and the surgeon will come to speak with you within approximately one half hour. Beepers must be returned after the surgeon speaks with you.
Please remember that time estimates given to you are for length of surgery are just that – estimates. There may be minor delays (i.e.: waiting for x-rays) and unanticipated additions to surgical time. This is NOT a sign that something is wrong. Remember that your loved one is in good hands.
If a patient must go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU, you can anticipate that they will be there for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or possibly longer, depending on their individual response to anesthesia.