Preparing For Your Surgery Day
For your personal safety and comfort, please follow these guidelines:
DO NOT eat or drink anything (including water) after midnight the day before surgery, unless given special instruction.
DO take Blood Pressure, Heart, and Seizure Medicines with a small sip of water the morning of surgery.
DO bring your medications in their original containers with you on the day of your surgery.
DO NOT take any diabetic pills the morning of surgery. If you take insulin, contact your physician for instructions on how to take your insulin the night before and the morning of. We will monitor your blood sugars for you while you are here with us.
DO NOT take blood thinners such as Coumadin, Pletal, Plavix, Xarelto (this is not an all inclusive list). Please contact your physician for instructions on when to stop taking your blood thinning medication.
DO NOT take any herbal supplements, over the counter diet supplements, and Phentermine for 7-10 days prior to surgery. (See list of commonly used herbal medications and their complications)
DO NOT chew gum, eat hard candy or smoke after midnight the day before surgery.
DO NOT wear makeup or nail polish. Acrylic nails without polish can be left on.
DO wear your glasses if possible. If you wear contacts, they must be removed prior to surgery so please bring your contact solution with case to store them in while in surgery.
DO leave jewelry, valuables and small electrical equipment at home (such as blow dryers, razors, curling irons, etc.)
DO take a shower/bath the night before and the morning of, using antibacterial soap, if you will have an incision.
DO NOT shave around the area where surgery will take place for at least 3 days prior.
DO call your doctor if you have health changes between your last visit and the day of surgery, such as cold, fever, flu, etc.
DO wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing.
DO quit smoking. Smoking greatly increases your chance of post operative infection because it decreases blood circulation to the skin and interferes with proper wound healing.
DO have an adult drive you home and be able to help for the next 24 hours if you are an outpatient. It is Republic County Hospital's policy that you cannot drive yourself home. Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have an adult escort.
IF you must go some distance to return home, bring some pillows. If you are having surgery on your arm or leg, you will need to keep it elevated to reduce swelling and pain.
DO feel free to bring a favorite toy or blanket if the patient is a child. (Parents/guardians must stay in the hospital during their entire stay.)
DO bring diapers and feeding bottles if your child will need them. DO NOT bring any other children with you.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Your surgery is scheduled
Your doctor has discussed your need for surgery with you. Your surgery is now scheduled at the Republic County Hospital. Our facility is dedicated to serving the elective surgical patient.
Pre-Admission Services
Report to the Registration Desk at the main entrance at least 1 day before your planned procedure. This process must be completed before your surgery or your surgery may be delayed.
●They will assist you in completing the financial and insurance documents that will facilitate submitting your claim to your insurance company. Please bring your health insurance cards, driver's license and social security card with you. The registration staff may try to reach you ahead of time. If you have Advanced Directive/Living Will please bring a copy with you.
●They will have a nurse meet with you to review your pre procedure teaching and answer any questions that you may have.
The Day of Surgery
When you arrive at the hospital, stop at the Registration Desk to notify them you have arrived.
Admission
You will be escorted to the Surgery Pre-operative Area where the nursing staff will prepare you for your procedure and a member of our anesthesia team will visit with you.
●A parent/legal guardian must accompany patients under 18 years of age, or patients who cannot sign their own consents.
●Only 2 guests may be with you in the pre-operative area.
●NO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 are allowed to be in this area.
Your Surgery
You my have 2 guests with you until you are taken to the Operating Room Suite. Additional family or friends may wait in our Family Lobby Area.
Your Recovery
When your surgery is over, you may spend time in the Pre-operative / Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Nursing staff will tell your family members when they can return to your room to be with you. Most outpatients are released to home with an escort within one or two hours after the surgery.
In-Patient Recovery
The majority of procedures done at Republic County Hospital are done on an outpatient basis. When you pre-admit, your nurse will tell you if you should plan an overnight stay. All children under 12 must have an adult guardian with them at night.
Going Home
Before you leave, your nurse will give you home care instructions. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact your physician or call the Surgery department at 785-527-6024.
Please stop all herbal and dietary supplements 7-10 days prior to surgery for your safety.
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Supplement Black Cohosh Chamomile Chondroitin Chromium Cysteine Echinacea Ephedra Flaxseed Fish Oil Garlic Gingko Ginseng Glucosamine Kava St Johns Wart Valerian Vanadium Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E |
Complications Increased risk for bleeding Increased risk for bleeding Irregular heartbeat, increased risk of bleeding Enhanced effects of insulin and oral sulfonylurea agents (hypoglycemia) Interaction with ACE inhibitors, nitroglycerine, or isosorbide (low blood pressure) Immunosuppression, poor wound healing Increased heart rate and blood pressure Increased risk for bleeding Increased risk of bleeding Increased risk of bleeding Increased risk of bleeding Increased risk for bleeding, hypoglycemia Reduced effectiveness of insulin, hypoglycemia Increased risk for sedation Multiple herbal and drug interactions Increased risk for sedation Increased risk for bleeding Increased risk for bleeding, liver damage Dehydration, increased blood levels of NSAIDs Increased risk for bleeding |
Research has shown that the best way to prevent medical errors is for patients and families to take an active part in their health care.
You can take action in these 10 simple ways:
1. Make sure that everyone who cares for you knows who you are. Our nurse will ask your name or to state your birth date and will check your name band.
2. If you have any questions or concerns, ask a team member. Ask a family member or friend to speak for you if you are not able to do so.
3. If you feel unsteady on your feet or have had any medications please ask us to help you. We do not want you to fall.
4. When you are ask about the medicine you take, please tell us about every medicine. Be sure to include creams, vitamins, herbs, diet supplements, and all prescription and over-the counter medicines. Please make sure to bring these with you to the hospital in their original containers.
5. Tell us about your allergies. Specify allergies to medicines, tape, latex, shellfish, and any others you may have had a reaction to in the past, including food allergies.
6. If you have a new prescription given to you while you are here, be sure you know what it is for, how to take it, and any possible side effects.
7. If you have any questions about a test or procedure, please ask your nurse, doctor or any health care team member.
8. Ask all team members who have direct contact with you if they have washed their hands. It's the best way to prevent the spread of germs, and our team members will be glad you asked!
9. Be sure you know and understand how to take care of yourself when you go home.
10. If you notice any other safety concerns, please tell a team member so that we can work to make our hospital a safer place for all.