Outpatient

Outpatient Surgery

From the outpatient area you will be taken, on a carrier, to the holding area. The nurse will verify your ID, ID band, and your procedure. In the holding area you will have your IV started and any prep needed. The Anesthetist / Anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss any problems or questions you may have. Medications may be given as ordered by your physician.

Next, you will be taken to the operating room and transferred to the surgery table. Safety belts are used across each arm and across your legs. You will be placed on a cardiac (heart) monitor, an automatic blood pressure cuff, and a pulse oximeter, will be placed on your finger (this measures your oxygen level). When everything is set, your anesthesia will be given and then surgery will begin.

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for approximately 1/2 to 1 hr. The nurse will remain with you during this time. She/he will be asking you to take deep breaths and cough. This is important to help reduce risk of lung infection after general anesthesia. Your nurse will help with these cough and deep breathing exercises. If you are having any discomforts, such as pain, nausea, dizziness, itching, etc. please let the nurse know. They will be able to help you with better positioning, warm blanket, medications, etc.

Following the recovery room you will be taken back to the outpatient dept. Your vital signs will be taken routinely and your surgical dressing checked. The nurses will be glad to do whatever is needed to make you comfortable. When you are awake enough you may have something to drink. The cough and deep breathing exercises will be continued with the help of the nurse. You will remain in outpatient for a minimum of 1 hour.

Before going home you must be fairly well awake, drinking fluids if desired, and steady on your feet. If you are having pain or other discomforts please let the nurse know, Medications will be ordered for you by your physician. Home care instructions and prescriptions will be reviewed with you and your family before you go home. Gas pain is often experienced after abdominal surgery and is relieved by walking. You may find you have a small drain tube close to your incision or a foley catheter depending on your surgical procedure. The nurse will demonstrate how to care for these if you are to go home with them in place. When you have met the criteria you will be prepared for discharge and must be driven home by a licensed driver.

We hope your recovery will go smoothly. You will receive a phone call to check your progress 1 or 2 days after surgery.

Endoscopy

On admission to the outpatient department you will be assisted into your hospital gown. You may wear your socks and underwear with the exception of colonoscopy's. You will be assisted to bed and your vital signs assessed. The nurse will start your IV in the outpatient dept.

Next you will be taken to the endoscopy room, where your ID and ID band will be verified. You will be placed on a cardiac monitor, an automatic blood pressure cuff, and a pulse oximeter probe will be placed on your finger (this measures you oxygen level). A nasal cannula will be placed for oxygen administration during the procedure. Upon the doctor's arrival, medication will be given through your IV to help you relax. Your procedure will begin when you have reached a relaxed and comfortable state. A biopsy may be collected, if needed, and polyps removed, if accessible.

After the procedure, you will be observed in the endoscopy room for 15 to 20 minutes. Then you will return to the outpatient dept. on your carrier. Monitoring will be continued for approximately 45 minutes, When you are fully awake, and have no nausea you will be offered fluids by your nurse. When able, you will be assisted to ambulate. It is important that these activities be accomplished before discharge. Your IV will be discontinued and you may dress. Your doctor may wish to see you before discharge. Discharge instructions will be given with a copy for you to keep. You will be unable to drive for 24 hours. A licensed driver needs to be available to take you home.

We hope your recovery goes smoothly. Your will receive a phone call I to 2 days after to check your progress.

Ophthalmology

On admission to the outpatient department you will be assisted into your hospital gown. You may leave your socks and underwear on. You will be assisted either to bed or to a recliner. After your vital signs are taken the nurse will begin putting in eyedrops. There are five different drops that are placed in the eye at least twice. For eyelid surgeries, a betadine skin prep is used. If you wear hearing aids, you will need to remove the one on the same side as your surgery.

Next, you will be taken on a carrier to the holding area. Your ID and ID band will be verified. The nurse will start a heparin lock or IV. A heparin lock is like having an IV started with a small cap on the end. You will be placed on the heart monitor, automatic blood pressure cuff, and pulse oximeter (this goes on your finger and measures your oxygen level). Oxygen by nasal cannula will be started. The nurse may also have more eye medicines to give you. An Anesthetist / Anesthesiologist will speak with you to discuss your health history and any questions you may have. Most eye surgeries do not require general anesthesia, however, anesthesia personnel will monitor you. You may be given medication if needed. Unless specifically instructed by the doctor, it is not necessary to stay NPO (nothing by mouth). You may have a light breakfast (toast and coffee). If you routinely take medications in the morning, you need to take them with a small sip of water.

After your preparation is complete, you will be taken into the operating room. You will stay on the same bed. A drape will be placed over your face leaving only your eye exposed. When everything is set up, surgery will begin.

After surgery, you will be taken back to the outpatient area. Your vital signs will be taken and the nurse will assist you up to the recliner. If desired, you may have something to drink. If you have a headache, or any other discomfort, please let the nurse know. Your stay after surgery is usually only about 30 minutes. Eye care instructions and a follow-up appointment time will be given to you before you are discharged.

We hope your recovery will go smoothly. You will receive a phone call 1 to 2 days after surgery to check your progress.