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In the Days before Your Surgery

1. Complete Pre-admission form & Nursing History and mail them to the hospital in the enclosed envelope. (If your are scheduled for surgery within the next 3 days, please bring the forms with you.)
2. A video titled "Your Surgical Experience" is helpful to watch. This 10 minute video is available either at your surgeon's clinic or at the hospital.
3. If you are having joint replacement surgery, the Physical Therapy department secretary will send information to you about a special class. Please contact her at spet@rice.willmar.mn.us or 320-231-4239 if you have not received this information two weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date.
4. Please call the Surgery Unit at 320-231-4436 with any questions you have regarding your hospitilization.

The Evening before Your Surgery

1. Follow any special instructions from your doctor.
2. Bathe.
3. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, unless your doctor instructs you differently.
4. If you smoke, please do not smoke after 6pm. (Smoking is not permitted in the hospital.)

What to Leave at Home

1. Jewelry
2. Money
3. Medications
4. Please do not wear make-up or nail polish

What to Bring to The Hospital

1. A list of the medications and dosages you are now taking
2. Glasses, contacts and cases
3. Hearing aids and batteries
4. Eye drops or inhalers
5. Your own robe and slippers. These are also available at the hospital, but your own may be more comfortable.
6. Personal care items if desired such as razor, hairbrust, deodorant, etc.
7. X-rays or papers which your doctor may have asked you to bring to the hospital.
8. Medical Insurance Cards
9. If you have an Advanced Directive (such as a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) please bring a copy with you to the hospital.

On The Day of Your Surgery

1. Please plan to arrive at the hospital on the day of your surgery between 5:00 and 6:00 am. (See map & parking information).
2. Report to the admissions desk. You will be escorted from there to your room.
3. A relative or friend is welcome to stay with you until you are on your way to the operating room.
4. While you are in the operating room and the recovery room, your family may stay in the surgical waiting lounge which is close to the main elevators on the ground level.
   • Coffee is provided in this lounge and restrooms are close by.
   • The lounge is staffed by a volunteer from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Your surgeon will call or visit the lounge to talk with your family after your surgery.
   • The cafeteria is one level down, and is open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.

    

When You Arrive in Your Room

1. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown.
2. Your nurse will review with you the information on the Nursing History form, ask further questions as needed, and assess physical signs such as blood pressure and temperature.
3. A lab tech may come to your room to take a blood sample.
4. You may be given pills to take with a small amount of water. These medications are to prevent nausea after surgery, and to help you relax before anesthesia.
5. Your nurse will teach you what to expect following your surgery. Please feel free to ask any questions.
6. An intraveous (IV) will be placed in your arm either while your are in your room or when you arrive in the Operating Room.

Before Going into the Operating Room

At this time your family will go to the Surgical Waiting Lounge

• You will be taken to a room close to the Operating Room where your Anesthesiologist and an Operating Room Nurse will ask you about:
  • allergies
  • medications you now take
  • any special concerns

Immediately after Your Surgery

1. You will spend about 1 hour in the recovery room, to be monitored closely as you awaken from anesthesia.
2. When you return to your room, your nurse will continue to check you frequently for the first 2-3 hours. (Your family may visit during this time. To allow you the rest you need, we request that they visit 2 at a time.)
3. Early activity is important. Your nurse will help you with turning in bed and with deep breathing exercises.
4. Your comfort is important. You and your nurse will work together so that you are as comfortable as possible.

As You Continue Your Hospital Stay

1. Your nurse will work with you to plan your activities for the day. It is important that you do a little more each day. But please do not get up alone until your nurse has told you it is alright to do so.
2. The type of food you get will progress gradually from all liquids to a regular diet ar the type of diet you have at home.
3. You will be taught the new things you need to know when you care for yourself at home.
4. In the first day or so, you and your family will be asked about any help you may need at home. Your doctor and nurses will work together to help you arrange this.
5. A Care Manager, who is a Registered Nurse and/or a Social Worker may also help with your health care needs.

When You Are Ready to Go Home

1. You will review the things you need to know to care for yourself with your nurse.
2. Your nurse will also explain your prescriptions and your return appointments as needed.

If you have questions regarding upcoming surgery, please contact

presurg@rice.willmar.mn.us