Surgery Center

Planning Ahead

What to Bring

• Patients receiving anesthesia will need to have a ride home.
• A parent or guardian must accompany patients under age 18.
• All valuables, including jewelry, money, or credit cards, should be left at home unless a fee is expected the morning of surgery.
• Dress comfortably and wear loose clothing. You will wear a hospital gown during your procedure.
• Dentures, contact lenses, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, and hairpieces may need to be removed and can be stored safely.

Bathing

A shower or bath is recommended prior to admission. A special soap may be required and will be given to you during your pre-admission visit. The nurse will instruct you how to use the special soap requested by your surgeon.

Anesthesia Visit

A member of the anesthesia staff will visit you prior to your surgery. Please be prepared to discuss any medical history, current medications, allergies, or other medical problems.

Length of your Stay

Your stay for outpatient surgery usually lasts three to six hours from the time you arrive. Children having a tonsillectomy may stay up to eight hours after they return to their room, depending on the surgeon. Variances may be caused most frequently by unforeseen schedule changes (cancellations, rearrangement of the line up) and by a patient’s reaction to surgery. We cannot predict a time that you will be discharged until after your surgical procedure. Because of the limitations of space we do ask that no more than two family members come with the patient. Typically families do stay in the waiting room during the entire surgical process from pre-op until after Recovery with exception of the children. We do ask parents to stay with their child until taken to Surgery and Recovery. After Recovery the parents are brought back to the post recovery area to be with your child prior to going home. All other patient’s families are together after Recovery for teaching/training prior to discharge.

Our Nurse Liaison will help to keep all family members informed of any updates during the surgical process and we have Patient Tracking monitors in the waiting area for you to monitor the progress as well. You may also give us your cell number and are welcome to leave the facility, go to our cafeteria for something to eat where patient tracking monitors are also located, and we will call you with updates to keep you informed.

What to Wear

Please wear casual, loose-fitting clothing that can be folded and stored away in a locker. You may bring your own slippers. All patients having surgery are required to wear a hospital gown.

What Not to Wear

All makeup, including nail polish and jewelry should be removed before you arrive. The skin tone of your face and under your nails is an important indicator to personnel caring for you.

When You Arrive

Registration/Waiting

We have a spacious and comfortable area for registration and waiting for your procedure. This area is convenient to the main entrance, Parking Garage 3, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, and outdoors for a breath of fresh air.

Pre-Op/Peri-Surgical Room

This is the beginning of our team procedure, where your medical history is reviewed, instructions about your procedure are given, the Operative Permit is signed and your IV is started. Your Anesthesiologist will also meet with you and your family here to answer any questions about your anesthesia.

Operating Room

After being pre-oped, you arrive here and will be introduced to the rest of your surgery team. Your procedure is verified and checked before the anesthesia is started. Our state-of-the-art facilities include:

• 10 General Operating Suites
• High Definition digital monitors for endoscopic imaging to enhance the surgeons visualization during the surgery
• LED Surgical lighting to reduce the heat output and provide a more stable temperature for the patient and surgeon
• Integrally linked OR Suites that allow connectivity to any database needed to view important X-rays, CT or MRI scans
• Articulating equipment booms, monitors and lights to allow the best ergonomics possible for the surgeon
• Digitally monitored air conditioning system that includes high level filtration systems

Recovery Room

This is where you recover after surgery. After meeting all of the medical criteria, you will be discharged by the anesthesiologist and escorted to your car by a nurse. A separate recovery area is available for children.

Our facility and property, including the parking garage, are tobacco-free areas. Please do not use tobacco products while you are our guest. We appreciate your help with maintaining a healthy environment for everyone!

When You Leave

Your nurse will emphasize the following:

• Please follow your surgeon’s instructions.
• You must be accompanied all the way to your residence. Be certain someone is nearby when you first stand or walk in case of dizziness. You are advised to rest and take it easy. You should have someone with you for the rest of the day.
• Do not drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take any tranquilizers or sleeping pills for the rest of the day. Take no medications other than those prescribed by your doctor.
• If you do not understand the written instructions given to you, please alert your nurse. It is important that you understand how to care for yourself at home following your procedure.