Day of Inpatient Surgery

The morning of surgery, all metal objects, such as hairpins, barrettes, watches, medals, bracelets and any body piercings must be removed because they may cause injury if you become restless immediately after surgery.

One of the nurses will see that your personal belongings are stored in a safe place. Make-up, dentures, nail polish and personal clothing will also be removed at this time. You will be given a hospital gown to wear in the operating room.

Surgical Consent

Prior to surgery preparation and premedication (see below) you will be asked to sign a form, which includes a statement about the type of operation you are having. Your physician will have discussed your operation with you prior to signing the form.

Surgery Preparation/Premedication

Approximately one hour before you are scheduled to go to the operating room, you may receive one or two injections, depending on what is ordered by the anesthesiologist. These injections will not put you to sleep, but they may make you feel relaxed and drowsy. Your mouth may also become dry. These are normal reactions.

After the medication is given, the nurse will raise the siderails of your bed and ask you to remain in bed. A technician from the operating room will then help transfer you from the your bed to an operation room bed. Then you will be wheeled from your room to the operating waiting area before being taken to the operating room.

After the operation is completed, your family will be notified and will meet with your surgeon.

Standards for "Universal Protocol"

The surgical team follows standards called "Universal Protocol". These standards help to prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong patient surgery. On the day of your surgical procedure, you will be asked the same questions by several members of your surgical team. Every time that you answer these questions, provide information and verify your surgical site, you are participating in following these standards and help us to provide a safe surgical experience for you.