Alton Memorial Hospital Surgery Guide
Outpatient Surgery
Inpatient Surgery
Pre-Surgery Calls
Pre-Admission Testing
Surgery Day
Anesthesia
Relatives and Friends
Recovery
Just for Kids
Surgery is all about reducing pain, fixing problems, restoring good health and, in some cases, saving lives. And while no one really looks forward to surgery, the benefit of having a topnotch surgical facility close to home cannot be overstated.
Outpatient Surgery
Outpatient Surgery goes by many names -- ambulatory surgery, one-day surgery, same-day surgery. In most cases, though, the meaning is the same. Outpatient surgery is designed as a service in which a patient arrives at the hospital, has surgery, recovers and goes home -- all in one day without an overnight stay.
As a result, you enjoy several advantages. All of our resources -- including sophisticated equipment and an experienced, caring staff -- are here to carry out your procedure and to oversee your safe recovery. You are able to work surgery into your busy routine with minimal disruption, and you can recover comfortably in the familiar surroundings of home. And, because an overnight stay is not required, you receive first-rate care at a lower cost.
Inpatient Surgery
For more complicated surgeries, those that require a lengthier recovery, or for patients who need more intense follow-up care by nursing staff, an inpatient procedure is warranted. Your surgeon will work with you to determine your hospitalization needs.
Rest assured that you will receive excellent care in our Surgery Center as well as on our surgical floor. Should you require additional healthcare services, such as physical therapy, our multidisciplinary team of medical professionals will attend to your every need.
Pre-Surgery Calls
Clear, open communication is the key to a smooth surgical procedure. An admitting representative will call you several days before surgery to obtain information that will help us process your paperwork in advance.
You'll also receive a call from one of our surgery nurses to help you prepare for surgery and to answer any questions you have about your surgery. You will need to provide complete information regarding your medical history and any medications you are taking.
Don't feel bashful about asking questions or expressing concerns during any of these calls. No question or concern is too small or insignificant. That's our chief reason for calling.
Pre-Admission Testing
Pre-admission testing is not required, but it simplifies your experience the day of your surgery. Pre-admission testing is a one-stop service Monday through Friday.
Inpatient Surgery
When you report to the hospital to have your tests, your insurance papers will be ready for signature. You will meet a registered nurse who will arrange for the laboratory tests, X-rays, cardiology tests and any other tests your doctors has ordered. The nurse also will ask you several questions regarding your health and history and provide you with pre-surgical instructions. Please bring a list of all medications you are taking.
Outpatient Surgery
A member of our surgical nursing staff will call you at least one day before your outpatient procedure to take a complete assessment by phone. You can then come to the Outpatient Care Center without an appointment to obtain the necessary pre-admission tests. We will tell you where you need to go for pre-op testing. If testing can be performed at our Outpatient Care Center, you can stop by any time from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without an appointment. In some cases, testing can be performed the same day as your surgery.
Advantages of pre-admission testing
Surgery Day
When you arrive for surgery, you'll go though an easy-to-follow procedure that minimizes confusion. A surgery center registrar will have you sign the necessary paperwork if it hasn't already been prepared during pre-admission testing. After you complete final registration, you may have a seat and a nurse will call you momentarily and escort you to the pre-op area. You will be asked about your current and past health, and be prepared for surgery.
Consent Forms
Before surgery, you will be asked to sign a consent form giving the hospital permission to carry out your procedure. Adult patients give their own written consents; parents or legal guardians must be present to give permission for patients under age 18.
Anesthesia Pre-Surgery
Your surgical preparation also includes a visit from an anesthesiologist who will ask you questions about your general health, past medical problems, prior anesthetics and all medications you are taking.
As a pre-treatment before general anesthesia, you are likely to be given medications orally and/or intravenously in the surgery holding area. The purpose of these medications is to decrease the acidity of your stomach contents and reduce your nausea.
Post-Anesthesia Care
Patients who have had anesthesia will go to the recovery room immediately after surgery. Specially trained registered nurses will care for you there. After you awaken in acute recovery, you will be taken back to your outpatient room (for outpatient surgery) or the hospital's surgical floor (for inpatient surgery) to recover.
Our experienced registered nurses will continue your care and your family may wait with you. Rest assured that regardless of the type of anesthesia you receive, you'll stay at the hospital until your condition is stable and an anesthesiologist has determined it's safe for you to leave.
Relatives and Friends
A special waiting area has been reserved for your family accompanying you to the Surgery Center. The waiting area is located in the surgery department (Lower Level 1 in Building E). After your surgery, your physician will visit the waiting area to talk to your family about your condition. A nurse will notify your family when you are taken to the recovery room, and again when your family can see you. Please remind your family to remain in the waiting area, or to leave word at the desk if they must leave for a bit. This will keep communication lines open and prevent unnecessary delays when you are ready to leave.
Because your surgical preparation, procedure and recovery may take several hours, we encourage visitors to bring books, needlepoint, crossword puzzles, etc. to help pass the time. Television is available.
Your visitors may wait with you after you're awake and in the outpatient recovery area. Please try to limit the number of people who accompany you to one or two. If possible, do not bring young children with you. Visitors may wish to visit the hospital cafeteria and gift shop on the ground floor.
Recovery
After recovery, you will be moved to your room on the surgical floor (for inpatient surgery). If you've had outpatient surgery you will be discharged to the ambulatory surgery department. Your friend or relative will be asked to bring the car to the main entrance when it is time for you to go home. A member of our staff will take you to the car. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home, so please have someone available to drive you home.
We strongly urge you to avoid tasks that require skill, coordination or judgment -- such as driving, operating machinery or making important decisions -- for 24 hours. We also recommend that you have an adult stay with you overnight.
Going Home
You'll want to make arrangements for going home long before you leave for the hospital. To ensure your safety, we'll release you only when a relative or friend arrives to pick you up and see you home safely. Taxicabs are unacceptable substitutes. If your driver does not plan to wait at the hospital during your surgery, please give your nurse a number where he or she can be reached.
Just for Kids
Each member of our surgical team is especially sensitive to the needs of youngsters facing surgery. To help relieve some of their fears and anxieties, we avoid the use of needles whenever possible and minimize separation time. After surgery, we reunite children with parents as soon as the young patient is alert.
Contact Us
For more information about surgery center services, call 618.463.7548.
