1. When your surgery date is set, a pre-op physical is required within one week of surgery with your primary doctor. After that, notify the physician of cold, rash, fever, or other changes in your condition before surgery.
2. Call the outpatient nurses at 308-995-2903 to set up a time to go over your medical history and sign consent forms.
The hospital will be calling you to set up a time for pre-admittance.

If you are unable to meet with outpatient nurses, some things you will be asked  for on admission are:

• Insurance cards

• Medical history, diseases, past surgeries/procedures etc.

• Current medications (names, dosage and how often taken)

• Previous anesthesia complications

• Allergies to medications

• If the patient is a minor or mentally disabled the power of attorney or
legal guardian should be available either by phone or in person to give
consent for the procedure.

3. Do not eat or drink anything, including water and coffee, after midnight before surgery. Do not chew gum, smoke, or use smokeless tobacco, or drink alcohol before surgery. These are for your own safety.
4. If you are a diabetic or on insulin, contact your family doctor about medication dosage changes due to surgery.
5. Take a shower before surgery. You may be asked to use special soap. Good oral hygiene is needed. Do not wear makeup, mascara, or eye shadow and remove nail polish. Nurses check your condition by watching the natural color of your skin and nails. Eye makeup may be accidentally introduced into the eye.
6. If you think of any questions before your admission to the hospital, write them  down and don't hesitate to ask the nurses who are caring for you before surgery.
7. For Dr. Doolittle's patients: To avoid post-op constipation take 2 tablespoons of mineral oil mixed with juice the night before surgery.

• If you are having sedation or general anesthesia you must have someone who can drive when you are released.
• Patients are usually asked to arrive two hours before their procedure is scheduled, this allows nurses time to prep patients and for anesthesia and doctors to see them before surgery.
• Come to Admissions office at the east entrance at time designated by preadmission nurse. If asked to arrive before 6:00am come in ER door on the north side, the east admission entrance will not be open.
• If you have not been contacted about your arrival time within one week of surgery call the outpatient nurses at 995-2903.
• Bring robe, slippers, and own personal care items if staying overnight. If wearing hearing aids, eyeglasses or contacts bring storage case for their protection.
• You must remove dentures, wigs, and hairpieces, barrettes, hairpins, hearing aid, contacts, glasses, prosthetic devices, and all loose metal jewelry, watch etc...
• Leave all valuables at home (i.e., cash, jewelry, credit cards, etc...)

The nurse will talk to you about what is needed to prepare for surgery.

Surgery generally starts at 7:30 A.M. If you are not the first case, you will be given an approximate time your surgery will begin. Time may be altered by emergencies.

The physician may order special treatments to help with deep breathing, called incentive spirometer. Deep breathing and coughing after surgery helps prevent pneumonia. The physician may also order an antibiotic to help prevent infections. It is important to know if you have any allergies to medications before surgery.

Leg exercises help blood flow through the body and can prevent blood clots. Your doctor may want you to wear a support stocking which the nurses would put on you before going to surgery. Walking helps circulation and will help your body get back to its normal functions. For this reason, the nurse will encourage you to change positions and move frequently after surgery.

Pain scale will be used to assess your discomfort. You will frequently be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Zero is no pain and 10 is very severe pain. This will help your nurse determine how much medication will be needed. If pain medication is required after surgery - information related to medication dose and frequency will be given to you before dismissal.

If you are having out patient surgery, or you leave shortly after a procedure, you will need to have someone drive you home. It is recommended that you not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after anesthetic. Also, after most abdominal surgeries, the physician will restrict your driving.

 To provide the patient with a relaxed environment before and after surgery, it is suggested that family members or support persons be limited to one or two at a time in the room. This allows rest and recuperation for the patient and easy access for the nurse to meet the patient's needs.