How to prepare for surgery
Thank you for choosing the Surgical Care Center at United Hospital. The following
information will help you understand how to prepare for your surgery. Preparing
properly for your procedure will help prevent any delays. Our goal is to make
your surgical experience as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions
before you come to the hospital, please contact your surgeon or primary care
physician.
Once your procedure is scheduled
Once your procedure is scheduled, you will need to take several steps to prepare
for it:
- Make an appointment for your preoperative history and physical — Most
patients need to do this. Be sure to check with your doctor if it is necessary
for you. Your surgeon or primary care doctor can do the history and physical. It
must be done within 7 days of your procedure. If possible, please
have your physician’s office fax your history and physical report to our center at
651-241-5073.
- Request a copy of your history and physical, lab results, cardiogram (EKG)
and put in your United Hospital envelope.
- Also, request a copy of results of any other tests done within 6 months
of your surgery (Stress Test, CT Scans, X-rays, MRI's, etc.).
- Keep your history and physical appointment — Your
procedure will be delayed or cancelled if your history and physical is not
done.
- Notify your doctor if you experience a significant change in your health.
Examples include experiencing a cold, fever, sore throat, cough or rash.
If you need an interpreter, United Hospital will arrange for a qualified interpreter
for you free of charge. To comply with federal standards, United discourages
family members of the patient to serve in the role of the interpreter.
If you are planning to go home the same day of surgery, arrange for an adult
to drive you home and stay with you — You MUST have someone drive
you home after your procedure and you MUST have an adult stay with
you for 24 hours. For your safety, you will not be able to drive or leave the
hospital alone.
A short time before your procedure
You will receive a call from the hospital’s admitting department for pre-admission
information. Please have the following available:
- insurance numbers
- name, address and phone number of your employer
- your social security number
One to three days before your procedure, a registered nurse will call you or
you may call the nurse at 651-241-8100 or reach United Hospital toll free at
1-800-869-1320. The nurse will review:
- instructions for day of surgery
- your medical history
- medications you will take the morning of your procedure
- your paperwork with you.
What you may eat and drink before your procedure
Age 2 years to adult:
- NO SOLID FOODS, milk products or juices with pulp eight hours prior to
your scheduled procedure time. You may have clear liquids until four
hours before your procedure and then nothing by mouth. Clear liquids
are water, black coffee, tea, apple juice and pop.
- Please do not chew gum, take lozenges, eat hard candy or use chewing tobacco before your procedure.
- You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.
Smoking
United Hospital is a smoke-free facility. We ask you to refrain from smoking after midnight on the day of your procedure.
The morning of your procedure
Take the following medications the morning of your procedure:
- pain medication if needed
- heart medications
- blood pressure medications
- seizure medications
- asthma medications (please bring your inhalers with you to the hospital)
- check with your doctor if you take insulin
Take medications with a SMALL sip of water only!
REMEMBER: Bring any copies of the history and physical, and X-ray images if you had any taken, that your doctor's office gave you to the hospital.
- a copy of your history and physical and any lab reports
- your insurance information and cards
In addition, the morning of your procedure:
- leave all jewelry, purses, wallets or anything else of value at home
- remove all body piercing jewelry before your procedure
- remove makeup
- personal belongings should not be brought to the hospital until after surgery
- contact lenses, glasses and dentures will be removed just before your procedure
The Patient Care Center is a fragrance-free unit. While deodorant is encouraged,
please refrain from using perfumes, aftershaves or strong-smelling soaps on
the day of your procedure.
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