Your physician may give you special
instructions to follow before your
procedure. It is important that you follow
these instructions.
Eating and
Drinking
You may eat a normal dinner the evening
before your surgery but you cannot eat or
drink anything (including gum, hard candy or
water) after midnight. This is integral to
prevent vomiting during and after
anesthesia. If you violate this, it may
require the surgery to be canceled.
Medications
Before your surgery you may be asked to
discontinue taking the following
medications: aspirin or medications with
aspirin in them. Many patients should stop
taking aspirin two weeks prior to surgery.
Check with your doctor about this. Most
patients should stop taking anticoagulants
(blood thinners) such as Coumadin, before
surgery. Check with your doctor. For other
prescribed medications - continue to take
your regular, physician prescribed
medications until your admissions to the
hospital. Check with your doctor about any
medication questions or concerns.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, it is important that
you quit smoking as early as possible before
your surgery. Not smoking is an important
factor any time you require general
anesthesia.
What to
Bring / What Not to Bring
What to bring
You should bring a family member or friend
so they can escort you home if you are here
for any type of surgical procedure or if the
procedure involves anesthesia. Bring any
papers that your doctor may have given you,
your insurance cards and any test results
from pre-operative tests. If you are staying
overnight, you may be more comfortable if
you bring your personal toiletries, robe and
slippers. Gowns are provided. Also bring
your medications or a list of them (name,
dose and how often you take them).
What not to bring
Items of value such as jewelry, watches,
money, checkbook, credit cards, etc. If you
wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing
aids, dentures or prosthetics they will be
removed prior to surgery and placed in an
area for safekeeping.
Outpatient
Surgery Procedure
Before Patients Come To The Hospital
Unless the patient has been instructed
otherwise by his/her doctor, he/should not
eat or drink anything the night before
surgery or the morning before surgery.
Otherwise, the surgery will be canceled.
Patients should bathe or shower before they
come to the hospital. They should not wear
any make-up or nail polish. They may not
wear jewelry or take valuables with them to
the Operating Room. It's wise to leave them
at home. Patients may be asked to take
certain cardiac or blood pressure medication
a a sip water. Please inform your doctor if
you are diabetic or on Coumadin. Pre-testing
must be performed at the hospital. Please
try to limit one visitor per patient. Please
do not bring other children to the hospital.
Please adhere to our non-smoking policy.
Admission
Unless the patients have been instructed
otherwise, they should report to outpatient
registration on the Ground Floor at Grove
Street. The clerk will direct them to the
Ambulatory Care Department. Patients will be
assigned to a bed or a surgical cart.
After Admission
We will ask the patient to change into
hospital clothing. Only hospital clothing
may be worn to the Operating Room. The
patient may have on intravenous infusion
started. This "IV" will be used to give the
patient medication if it is necessary.
Occasionally, medications are ordered for
the patients before their surgery to help
them relax. After the patient has been
medicated, it will be necessary to have the
patient remain in bed. Patients should know
that their surgery may not be done at the
time anticipated. The Operating Room
schedule must be flexible allowing more or
less time for each patient, each according
to his needs. During surgery the family is
asked to wait in the designated waiting area
for family and friends of surgical patients.
This area may be staffed with a Volunteer
who will tell them when the patient is back
in his/her room and when the surgeon would
like to talk with them. If a volunteer is
not available, the nursing staff will inform
the family when the patient is back.
After The Surgery
After the surgery has been completed, the
patient may go to the Recovery Room for
observation, or return directly to the
patient's room. After the patient returns to
his room, the outpatient nursing staff will
determine, with the physician's approval,
when the patient may safely be discharged.
This is usually one to two hours after
returning from surgery.
Discharge
Written discharge instructions will be
reviewed with the patient. Please keep in
mind that patients need someone to drive
them home. Failure to make arrangements for
transportation can result in surgery being
canceled.
Contact
Information
The Outpatient Surgery Procedures are
usually performed at the Grove Street
Facility. Be sure to check with your surgeon
regarding the location of your surgery. The
Outpatient Surgery Department - Ambulatory
Care can be contacted at 814-333-5820 or
333-5821. |
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