Surgical Care

Scheduling the Surgery/Procedure

Your surgeon’s office will contact the hospital/surgery center to schedule your procedure, and will then inform you of the date and time.

Pre-Admission Testing

Your surgeon’s office will let you know if you’ll need any pre-admission testing.

Paperwork

Please bring any insurance forms, the surgical consent form, test forms and any other physician-requested documents with you to your pre-admission testing appointment if your doctor orders this type of testing for you. If you’re not required to come in for pre-admission testing, please bring the papers with you on the day of your surgery.

Instructions Before Surgery/Procedure

• Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure.
• Please be sure to find out from your doctor if you should take your regular medications (including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and any supplements) the morning of your surgery/procedure.
• Bring a list of all medications you’re currently taking with you to the hospital/surgery center. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, etc. Be sure you know the name, dosage (how much you take) and schedule (how often you take them) for each.
• If there is a change in your physical condition such as a cold, fever or cough, notify your surgeon as soon as possible.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Don’t wear makeup, perfume, hairspray or anything else with alcohol in it.
• Leave all valuables and jewelry at home.
• If you have piercings, please remove all jewelry from them.
• Don’t wear contact lenses to your surgery; however, you may keep glasses with you.
• Arrange a ride home beforehand with a responsible adult.

Where to Go

• If you’re having surgery at the new Ambulatory Surgery Center at Wilson Place, you should report there at the time your physician instructs you to.
• If you’re having ambulatory surgery at Chenango Memorial Hospital  or Delaware Valley Hospital, you should report to that hospital’s Admissions/Registration office at the time your physician instructs you to. In both locations, this office is located just off the hospital’s main lobby.

What Happens Next

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown.
• You should remove any dentures or contact lenses. If you wear glasses, you may leave them on. They will be removed during your procedure and placed in a protective holder.
• Our staff will have you sign a surgical consent form if you haven’t already done so. (See below)
• A nurse will review your history, take your temperature and blood pressure, and record your height and weight.
• If you are to have anesthesia, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will visit you. (See below)
• You will be taken to the operating room where the operating room nurse will check your ID band, verify the procedure to be done, and explain the preparation.

Children Having Surgery

Your child may bring a favorite toy or blanket from home to accompany him/her into surgery. We encourage both parents of pediatric patients to remain at the hospital/surgery center throughout the procedure.

Mini-Procedures

Mini-procedures are minor surgical procedures that can be performed under local anesthesia. Pre-admission testing isn’t required if for mini-procedures. Your physician's office will contact the hospital to schedule this. On the day of the procedure, please arrive at hospital/surgery center no later than one hour before your scheduled procedure so you can complete our forms.

Consent Forms

Before surgery, we’ll ask you to sign a form indicating that you haven’t had anything to eat or drink since midnight and that you give the hospital your permission to carry out the procedure. Adult patients give their own written consent; parents/guardians must give permission for patients under 18. If you have power of attorney, be sure to bring the paperwork stating this.

Anesthesia

Before surgery, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will visit you to ask questions about your general health, medical problems (especially heart and breathing problems), prior anesthetics and all medications you’re taking. Please have this information available.

Before you receive general anesthesia, you may be given medications orally or intravenously in the ambulatory surgery holding area to decrease the acidity of your stomach contents and reduce your nausea.

Delays

Occasionally surgeries/procedures are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, a member of the nursing staff will explain the nature of the delay.

Recovery

After your surgery/procedure you’ll spend time in the recovery area under the care of a specially trained registered nurse. You’ll stay at the hospital/surgery center until your condition is stable and it’s safe for you to leave. Keep in mind that after general anesthesia, you may feel temporarily drowsy or nauseated.

Discharge Instructions

A member of the nursing staff will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities or other matters, or aren’t comfortable with your discharge instructions, please be sure to ask at this time. You will receive written discharge instructions prior to leaving the hospital/surgery center. Please keep these instructions and refer to them when you leave since they have important information regarding your post-surgical care.

Going Home

Following surgery, you won’t be allowed to drive yourself home, so please have someone available to do this. We also urge you to avoid tasks that require skill, coordination or judgment (such as driving, operating machinery or making important decisions) for 24 hours following surgery.

Hospitalization

In the unlikely event your surgery/recovery requires hospitalization, your physician will make arrangements for your admission. If your surgery is performed at the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Wilson Place, an ambulance will take you from the center to the hospital for admission.