We want to provide you with exceptional care throughout your experience. If at any time you feel that you are not receiving exceptional care please let your nurse or nurse manager know so that we can address your concerns before you leave Perioperative Services.
A Pre-Surgical Nurse Liaison will greet you upon arrival to the Surgery Center Waiting Room and will assist your loved ones while they wait. Next, you will be escorted to the Pre-Operative area where final preoperative requirements will be completed by your health care team. One contact person may be with you at this time.
During this time period you can expect:
- To be provided with a recliner or stretcher and a drape for your privacy.
- To change into a gown and slippers & place your clothing in a bag.
- To remove any jewelry/piercings, contact lenses/glasses, hearing aides, & dentures/removable bridges, etc. you may be wearing and give these to your contact person prior to entering the OR.
For your safety a registered nurse will:
- Confirm your identity by asking you to state your name and date of birth. Confirmation of your identity will be repeated throughout your surgical experience because we care about your safety.
- An allergy bracelet will be placed on your wrist if appropriate.
- Review your medical record for completeness and perform preoperative teaching.
You will be visited by:
- Your surgeon(s), anesthesia providers and your operating room nurse.
- Your surgeon will review your medical record, answer any questions, and mark your surgical site as appropriate.
- Your anesthesia team will discuss the plan for your anesthesia and start an IV (intravenous) line.
- Your operating room nurse will confirm that you are fully prepared to enter the Operating Room.
Operating Room
- Once preparations are complete you will be escorted to the Operating Room and your contact person will be directed to the appropriate Surgical Waiting Room.
- Before entering the Operating Room a protective paper cap will be placed on your head. Your entire surgical team will be wearing similar hats to decrease the potential for infection.
- In the Operating Room you may be asked to assist with transfer to the Operating Room table.
- There are bright lights and many pieces of equipment in the Operating Room.
- Your operating room nurse is in the Operating Room to care for you and act as your advocate. He/She will remain with you throughout your surgery.
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
- Immediately following surgery you will be escorted to the PACU for recovery care.
- Critical care nurses staff the PACU and will care for you as you awaken from anesthesia.
- You will remain in the PACU until it is safe for your discharge to an appropriate post-recovery location and an appropriate room is available.
- Visitation in the PACU is allowed for brief periods. The surgical liaison will coordinate the visit with your loved ones and the PACU nurse. If you remain in the PACU for a longer period, brief visits may be repeated. All visits must be arranged and visitors must be escorted to and from the units.
- In the event that a room is unavailable in an appropriate post-recovery inpatient unit, you may stay overnight in the PACU. If you stay with us in the PACU you will receive exceptional care and respect for your privacy throughout your stay.
Post-Recovery
After the immediate post-operative recovery period you will transition to one of two areas:
- The discharge area in the Surgery Center where you will be reunited with your family and will receive home care instructions.
- An inpatient room where you will continue your post-surgical care.
