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 Getting You Back to your Family
Not long ago, most surgeries required extended hospital stays. But today, there's a growing list of procedures that the doctors at Evangelical Community Hospital perform as One Day Surgery (ODS). Other procedures, such as blood transfusions, gastroenterology treatments, and other diagnostics can also be performed on a one day basis so you can get back to your family the same day. After confirming that surgery is required, your personal physician or surgeon will schedule your One Day Surgery.
Facts For Patients Receiving General/Regional Anesthesia
Patients requiring general anesthesia for surgery will need a PreAdmission assessment performed about two weeks prior to surgery. Tests may include lab work chest x-rays, an EKG, etc. Your doctor will order all necessary tests. Check with your physician regarding instructions for eating and drinking prior to your lab tests. Evangelical performs all pre-surgical tests on an outpatient basis.
- Report to the Hospital’s registration desk to pre-register at the same time you report to PreAdmission care.
- Plan at least 90 minutes for this process.
- Bring all the completed forms your doctor gave you and any medical insurance information.
- The registration clerk will pre-register you and direct you to see the PreAdmission nurse.
 PreAdmission is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have a cold or elevated temperature the day before your tests, call you physician before having them completed. Click to see PreAdmissions care page.
Facts For Patients Receiving Local Anesthesia
Few, if any, general health screens are necessary for patients receiving only local anesthesia. Your physician or surgeon will order any screens that are required.
Facts For All ODS Patients
Call your surgeon's office the day before your surgery for the time you should arrive to registration or report to registration two to three hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. Early arrival provides time for you to talk to the anesthesiologist about the anesthetic for your procedure, and preparation time. After surgery, most patients will go to the Recovery Room for observation. You will continue to rest in the One Day Surgery Unit until you are ready to be discharged.
The Day Of Your Surgery
- A responsible adult MUST accompany you home.
- Have a friend or a relative drive you to the Hospital and home afterward.
- Your family members may wait in the surgical waiting room.
- Visitors are limited to TWO people.
- Do not bring your children to stay with you at the Hospital. If you are responsible for children, arrange for a babysitter for the day.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery unless instructed otherwise by your physician. This includes the morning of your surgery. Try not to swallow water while brushing your teeth the morning of your surgery.
- Do not put anything into your mouth such as gum, candy, or tobacco on the morning of your surgery.
- Do not smoke the day before or the morning of your surgery
- Wear loose fitting clothes, particularly if the procedure is performed on the abdomen, legs or arms.
- Do not wear nail polish or make-up and do not bring money, jewelry or other valuables.
- Notify your physician, prior to the day of your surgery, if there is any change in you physical condition, such as a cold, cough, elevated temperature or infection.
For Your One-Day Surgery Stay
Before your surgery...
| _____ |
Complete the forms your doctor gave you and take them to the Registration desk so you will be pre-registered. |
| _____ |
Complete all required pre-surgical tests. |
| _____ |
Make a list of questions so you don't forget to ask them. |
| _____ |
Make a list of medications you are currently taking and bring it with you to the Hospital. |
| _____ |
Arrange for a babysitter for your children and a friend to stay overnight with you if you live alone. |
| _____ |
Arrange for transportation to and from the Hospital by having your spouse, a friend, or relative drive you to the Hospital and home afterward. |
The day before your surgery...
| _____ |
Call your doctor if you have a cold or elevated temperature. |
| _____ |
Pack a small bag with your slippers, robe and reading materials or crafts. |
| _____ |
Pack your list of questions and list of medications. |
| _____ |
Call your surgeon's office the day before your surgery for the time you should arrive to registration. |
The day of your surgery...
| _____ |
Bathe or shower using an antibacterial soap. |
| _____ |
Wear loose-fitting clothes. |
| _____ |
Leave home in time to arrive at the Hospital by the prearranged time. |
| _____ |
You will be required to remove underwear, jewelry, contacts, dentures, and prosthesis, prior to surgery. |
| _____ |
Ask any questions on your list. |
| _____ |
Relax and let ODS personnel take care of you. |
More helpful information is available here:
Going to the Hospital: A Checklist
Planning & Preparing for your Hospital Stay
 One Day Surgery Precautions
- Plan to rest for 24 hours following surgery. Do not plan activities for the day of your surgery.
- It is preferable that you are not alone for 24 hours after receiving general anesthesia.
- Go slowly, particularly when you rise to a sitting or standing position.
- Do not drive or operate machinery, not even the lawn mower for the first 24 hours until approved by your physician.
- Take someone with you if you must go outside. Do not go out alone.
Surgical Admissions
Most of this information also applies to patients who will be admitted to the Hospital for one or more nights. In those cases, your surgeon’s office staff will have additional information for you and will be able to answer your questions.
Many of the surgical admissions are admitted through One Day Sugery. Patients are taken to their room after the recovery room. For those staying overnight, expected discharge is by 11:00 am the next day. |
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