The person who escorts you to the hospital may drop you off at the West Tower on Mason Street. He or she should park in the Maple Lot across the street. The Ambulatory Surgery Center is on the fourth floor of the West Tower.
Arrive at the Ambulatory Surgery Center at your scheduled time and sign in at the registration desk. Once you are in a preoperative bed, your nurse will prepare you for surgery and answer any questions you have.
All pediatric patients (patients age 17 and under) should report to the 5 West Pediatric Unit, where they will receive both pre-op and post-op care.
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Before Your Surgery
On the day of your surgery, please:
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Take your medications on the morning of your procedure as directed by your doctor or nurse with just enough water to swallow. Please review your preoperative instructions for the medications you need to take. |
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Bring your insurance and prescription cards with you. You may also want to bring money for prescription co-payments if you plan to have your prescriptions filled while you are in the hospital. |
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Bring any special medical equipment from home that you may need (i.e. CPAP machine, crutches, walker, etc.). |
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Bathe or shower and brush your teeth before you leave home. |
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes. |
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Bring your glasses and/or contact lenses case. |
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Remove all jewelry before arriving at the hospital including hair clips, pins and all body piercings. |
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Please remove makeup and nail polish prior to arrival. |
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Do not bring large suitcases, jewelry, or valuables of any kind such as money, credit cards, etc. You may want to have your family member carry any cash necessary for prescriptions if you plan to get them filled at the hospital. |
In the Preoperative Area, you will:
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Change into a hospital gown and cap. We will supply you with a plastic bag for your clothes. |
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Speak with a nurse who will check your vital signs. |
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Have an intravenous line (IV) started so we can give you fluid and medications during and after your operation. |
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Be taken from the preoperative area to the operating room on a stretcher or bed by an operating room transporter. |
Please let your pre-op nurse know of any special needs. Your family will receive instructions on where to wait while you are in surgery.
Anesthesia care--Prior to surgery, you will talk with the anesthesiologist who will be caring for you during surgery. The anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthetic plan with you and answer any questions you have.
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After Your Surgery
Initial care—If required, you will be taken to a post-anesthesia care (recovery) unit where:
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A nurse will connect you to a cardiac monitor and check your vital signs; |
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You may receive oxygen until you are awake; |
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Warm blankets will be provided; |
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Medication will be provided if you are having discomfort or nausea. |
Once you are stable and comfortable, you will be transferred to ASC post-op or to an inpatient bed. While you are in recovery, your physician will update your family or companion regarding your status. Your family or companion will be able to visit you after you are transferred out of the recovery room.
Ambulatory Surgery Post-Op--If you are a one-day surgical patient, the amount of time you need to stay in ASC post-op after your operation varies depending on the type of operation, anesthetic and your medical history. Before you are discharged you will:
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Be given your choice of water, juice or a soft drink; |
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Get up and walk a short distance, unless your operation or medical condition prevents you from walking; |
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Be given a discharge instruction sheet; |
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Be given any prescriptions your doctor wants you to take home; |
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Be instructed regarding follow-up care; |
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Be assisted to your vehicle if necessary. |
If you are going home after surgery, you must have a responsible adult companion drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home after your surgery. A bus or cab is not acceptable unless someone you know is with you. It is required that a responsible adult remain with you for 24 hours after your surgery.
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Prescriptions
If you choose, you may have your prescriptions filled at our Outpatient Pharmacy on the second floor of the West Tower. Having your prescriptions filled before you leave the hospital will save you a stop on the way home. The Outpatient Pharmacy is a convenient, one-time service available to all ASC patients. If you think you may want to use the pharmacy, please bring your prescription card to the hospital with you. The pharmacy requires payment at the time the prescription is filled (cash, check or credit card).
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Managing Your Pain
Some people experience pain after surgery. If you do, your nurse will ask you to describe your pain. The nurse may ask:
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Where does it hurt? |
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What does the pain feel like (sharp, dull, aching)? |
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How would you rate your pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst pain you could imagine. |
To effectively manage your pain, our services include:
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Assessing and re-assessing your level of pain; |
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Teaching you and your family about pain and pain management; |
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Educating you and your family on the safe use of pain medications; |
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Lowering your pain level; |
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Supporting and assisting you in your pain management and available alternatives. |
We use a pain rating scale to help you answer the question, “How would you rate your pain?” Your nurse will describe this scale to you prior to you surgery. If you have any questions regarding pain management, please feel free to ask your doctor or nurse.
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Written instructions will be given to you regarding recovery at home. However, here are some general reminders that may apply to you:
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Limit your activities for at least 24 hours after your surgery. |
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Do not drive for at least 24 hours after your surgery, while taking narcotics, or until your doctor allows. |
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Introduce clear liquids into your diet first, then progress to solid foods as you are able to tolerate them. |
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Take all medications only as prescribed. |
The medication you received during your operation may affect your memory and mental judgment for 24 hours following anesthesia.
Your physician will give you specific instructions and restrictions regarding your activities following surgery. Be prepared to ask any questions regarding what your limitations may be after surgery.
Please contact your surgeon if you experience any of the following:
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Fever over 100.5 degrees (taken orally); |
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Excessive bleeding from your wound(s); |
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Continued vomiting; |
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Inability to urinate; |
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Inability to have a bowel movement; |
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Inadequate pain management. |
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Questions at Home
If you have questions, problems or concerns related to your surgery, you may contact:
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Your surgeon at his office number; |
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The Ambulatory Surgery Center at 540-433-4176 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, you may reach your surgeon by paging him through the hospital operator at 540-433-4100 or 1-800-543-2201. |
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