Surgery Instructions

Patients must follow these instructions precisely to ensure that surgery can be performed on time and without delay.

1. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT on the day/evening before surgery.  You will be informed of any exception to this rule prior to surgery.
2. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS will be given to you at your surgeon's office.
3. WEAR LOOSE FITTING, CASUAL CLOTHING to the hospital, which can be easily removed and may be stored in private lockers.  Valuables should be left at home.  Glasses and dentures may be worn until the time you are prepared for surgery.
4. ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL AT LEAST 1 HOUR IN ADVANCE of your scheduled surgery time.  If an EKG is required, please arrive 1 hour and 15 minutes in advance.
5. A SURGICAL CONSENT FORM MUST BE SIGNED before any medication can be given.  Minors must have a parent or legal guardian sign a permit before surgery can be performed.
6. BRING A LIST OF CURRENT MEDICATIONS prescribed by your physician to the hospital.  Bring all home medications with you in the original bottle. Do not bring any narcotics with you.
7. PATIENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL UNLESS UNDER THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.  This may be a friend or relative who will be available to drive you home to ensure your safety.
8. PLEASE LIMIT THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS accompanying you to the hospital if possible.  This decreases waiting room congestion, where there is a limited amount of space.  Upon arrival at the hospital, our staff can give the person responsible for your ride home a phone number to call for your exact time of discharge.  Parents of young children are encouraged to stay, and will be allowed to be with the child up until their surgery and shortly after their recovery.
9. MEDICATIONS AND ANESTHESIA MAY BE HARMFUL TO A FETUS, especially in the first weeks of pregnancy.  If you think there may be a possibility of pregnancy, please contact your surgeon or obstetrician before undergoing any surgery.
10. SMOKING 24 HOURS BEFORE OR AFTER SURGERY IS NOT ADVISED and may be detrimental to your safety and recovery.  Smoking is not permitted in any patient room or in the waiting areas of the hospital.
11. NOTIFY YOUR SURGEON OF ANY CHANGE IN PHYSICAL CONDITION (cold or fever), or if you have been exposed to any communicable diseases before surgery.  Do not ingest any alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to surgery.
12. PEDIATRIC SURGERY: We encourage both parent and child to acquaint themselves with the facility before the day of surgery.  This will assist in relieving some anxieties for the patient and family, and will give our staff a chance to make friends before the day of surgery.  If the child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal they would like to bring to the hospital, please feel free to do so.
13. YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL from the hospital pre-operative nurse 24 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.  She/he will relay all pertinent information to you at this time and answer any question you may have.

If you have questions or would like a tour of the facility, please call (903) 526-8754.