The Day of Surgery

FIRST STOP
Presurgery/Day Surgery

1. Check in at the desk. A staff member will greet you and take you to your room.
ALL family members and visitors will be asked to wait in the waiting room until your preparation for surgery is completed.

2. Your safety is a top priority at Woman’s Hospital. There are many safety checks in place to ensure that all members of your surgical team are fully informed of the care plan designed for your hospital stay. As an additional safety measure, we ask that you be a part of this process—this means we will ask you to verify your surgical procedure, and you may be asked the same questions more than once. Your surgical site may even be marked by a member of the surgical team, if needed. These are the recommended practices for all hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission.

3. The nurse will:

• Review your medical history
• Explain the events of the day
• Do a physical assessment
• Take your vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate, etc.
• Start your IV and give any medications ordered by your doctor
• Review some of your exercises
• Explain the pain scale rating of 0 to 10

If you have markings from your doctor for your surgery, use special care not to wash them off.

4. The nurse or her assistant may carry out any of the following, as ordered by your doctor:

• Clip the surgical area
• Give you an enema*
• Give you a douche*

* These procedures not performed on breast surgery patients.

5. A member of the anesthesia care team will visit you and answer any questions you may have about anesthesia. Tell your anesthesia care team if you have any problems with anesthesia.

SECOND STOP
Operating Room

You will be taken to the Operating Room. Your family and visitors will be in the family waiting room. Someone in your family should report to the volunteer desk to pick up a beeper. Your family will be beeped when your doctor is ready to speak with them after your surgery is finished.

THIRD STOP
Recovery Room

• You will spend some time in the recovery room after your surgery.
• You will be sleepy and may not remember everything. A nurse will be with you.
• The nurse will take your vital signs often and ask you to take deep breaths.
• You will be given medications to ease discomfort or nausea.
• You may have a catheter to drain your bladder, but you may still feel like you need to urinate.
  
• You may receive oxygen to help you breathe easier. Sometimes you may need to continue the oxygen after going to your hospital room.
• Your family cannot visit you while you are in this area.
• Breast surgery patients may have one or two bulb drains from the breast or underarm area.
  

FOURTH STOP
Your Hospital Room

• You will be taken to your room. The nurse will take your vital signs often.
• Your room has been furnished with the following items for your comfort:
• A nurse call light will be at your bedside. You or your family may press this light to call your nurse or nurse aide for help.
• A TV and telephone will be available for your use. You will have access to TV videos that will provide information about the hospital and patient services. Also, you will be able to view health education and relaxation videos. In addition to a range of TV channels, we offer a selection of relaxation videos, games, movies, email access and more.
• You will be able to rest more easily if you ask your family and friends to limit phone calls.
• A temperature control is in each room so that the air can be adjusted for your comfort. If a family member will be staying with you, they should bring clothing that allows them to be comfortable when the air is set for your comfort level.
• A cot and linens will be available if you would like someone to stay overnight with you.

Room Service

For the inpatient, room service is available for meals. Room service allows you to order your meals when you are hungry and ready to eat. Our room service provides you with a restaurant-style menu from which to select meals - what you want and when you want it. A hostess will bring you a menu consistent with your prescribed diet. To order, you pick up the phone and call the room service number and place your order. Your meal will be cooked to order and delivered to your room within 45 minutes.