Pre-Admission Testing/Surgical Care At Good Samaritan
Your surgeon's office may schedule an appointment the week before your surgery to review pre-op instructions, have lab work and possibly have some testing. This is completed by a nurse in our pre-admission testing area at the hospital.
The goal of the interview is to identify potential risks you may have before you are given anesthesia. It is very important to share information about your medical history, so please bring a list of all medications and current dosages you're taking.
At the end of this appointment you should:
- Feel confident about how to prepare for the day of surgery.
- Know what to generally expect when you arrive at the facility for the procedure.
- Have an understanding the types of physical things you will do before returning home.
In some cases you may discuss your surgical preparation by a telephone call instead of a visit to the facility.
The Day of Your Operation
You will be given an arrival time to be at the hospital by your surgeon's office or by hospital staff. You will check-in with registration on the ground level and then proceed to the pre-op holding area on the second floor. It's understandable to be a little anxious the day of surgery.
An anesthesia doctor and nurses will interview you and plan your care with you. It is important to report to your nurse any unusual or illness feelings you're experiencing. Please remind us of any special needs you may require.
You will need to have a driver on the day of surgery if you are scheduled to have surgery on an out-patient basis.
Things to Remember
- You must not eat or drink as per your instructions.
- If you have been instructed to take medication the day of surgery, they may be taken with a small sip of water.
- Please leave all valuables at home.
- Remove all body and piercing jewelry before coming to the facility.
- Bring any inhaler you use to help with breathing.
The Operating Room
Your anesthesia provider and your operating room nurse will accompany you to the operating room and monitor you constantly throughout the operation. The OR team is highly skilled to ensure your safety while in the operating room suite.
While in surgery your family will receive updates on the length and/or progress of your surgery.
The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
When surgery is over you'll be observed for a period of time in the recovery room, which is staffed with highly skilled nursing professionals. The anesthesia team will oversee and direct your care while in the unit. The type of anesthesia given and your procedure will largely determine your post-operative course.
You will be discharged from this unit to be admitted to an inpatient bed or return to the area that will discharge you to go home. Discharge from this area is at the discretion of the surgeon in conjunction with the anesthesia provider.
Outpatient Discharge on the Day of Surgery
Before leaving the hospital you will receive verbal as well as corresponding written instructions. Included in this information will be general instructions regarding diet, medications, bathing and activity restrictions, as well as those specific to your procedure.
A member of the nursing staff will attempt to telephone you the next business day after your discharge to follow your progress and to assist you and your family with whatever questions that may arise. An emergency contact number for your doctor should be given to you in the event care is needed before the nurse's follow up with a telephone call.
Home readiness rather than street fitness is the goal for ambulatory surgery. This means that you are ready to be discharged to recuperate at home and you should always follow your physician's instructions. Please do not exert yourself.