Your Surgery at Seton Northwest Hospital

Seton Northwest's general surgery services combine state-of-the-art equipment with the compassionate, personalized care we've become known for. Every one of the 28,000 patients who comes to Seton Northwest for surgery each year is treated as an individual, with a focus on the whole person--mind, body and spirit.

Registration

Your physician's office will arrange your surgery at Seton Northwest. Our Scheduling Coordinator will call you prior to your surgery to obtain information necessary to complete your medical records. This will be your opportunity to finalize the financial arrangements for the Hospital's portion of your care. If you have not heard from an admission counselor prior to your surgery, please call the Admitting Department at (512) 324-6002. The admitting nurse will also speak with you prior to your surgery to complete a history and physical and review pre-operative instructions. Please take this opportunity to ask any questions you have concerning our facility or your surgery.

Pre-Admissions

Our Pre-Admission Testing Department will contact you. Based on your medical history, you will either pre-register by phone or you will receive instructions on when to come in to pre-register (usually 1-2 days before your scheduled surgery). Depending on the surgical procedure you are scheduled to have, your pre-admission testing may include:

• Interview by a Registered Nurse
• Signing of your surgical consent form. Minors must have their parents or legal guardian sign a permit before surgery can be performed.
• Possible visit with an anesthesiologist, otherwise it would be day of surgery that you meet the anesthesiologist
• Possible EKG or chest X-ray
• Possible lab workup, blood work and/or urinalysis,
• Pre-operative instructions
• Notify your surgeon of any changes in your physical condition (for example a cold or fever) or if you have been exposed to any communicable diseases before surgery. Do not ingest any alcoholic beverages or medications without the specific knowledge and consent of your surgeon or anesthesiologist at least 24 hours before or after surgery.

Pediatric Surgery - We encourage both parents and their children to acquaint themselves with the center and our surgical procedures. This helps relieve some anxieties for both patient and family while giving you and our staff a chance to make friends before the surgery. If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal he or she would like to bring along, please feel free to do so.

Day of Surgery:

• Bring a valid photo ID
• Bring insurance identification card
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. You will be informed in advance if there is any exception to this rule.
• Wear loose, comfortable, casual clothes that can be easily removed
• Do not bring any valuables such as jewelry
• Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking
• If expecting an overnight stay in the hospital bring toilet articles with you such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a comb, shaving supplies, a robe, and non-skid slippers.
• Patients will not be permitted to leave the hospital unless under the care and supervision of a responsible adult. This may be a friend or relative who will be available to drive you home and to ensure your safety, preferably over the following 24 hours. Also it is advisable not to operate power equipment, drive or make important decision for at least 24 hours.
• Please limit the number of family members arriving with you. This will help to decrease waiting time and congestion in the lobby area. Upon your arrival at the center our staff can provide the person responsible for your ride home with a number to call for the approximate time you will be dismissed. Parents of minors are required to stay and will be allowed to be with their child until immediately before surgery and again shortly afterwards in the recovery area.

On the day of your surgery:

• If you have pre-registered with the admissions arrive one-half hour before your scheduled surgery time.
• If you need to register with admissions, go to registration, which is located on the first floor.
• Please be here at least an hour prior to your surgery time. It is very important that you are prompt.
• After registering, you will be escorted to the appropriate area.

You will meet with the holding room nurse who will get you into your surgical gown and prepare you for surgery. You will then meet with the nurse anesthetist who will start your IV and ask you some medical questions. You will also meet the operating room nurse who will be in the operating room suite with you and your anesthesiologist. Please feel free to ask them any questions as they are there for you and want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Post Operative Care

After leaving the surgery suite, you will be moved to a recovery area where nurses will care for you until you are awake and comfortable. Your family member or friend may join you and as soon as your condition is stable you will be given discharge instructions and a responsible adult may drive you home.

1. A nurse from our recovery room will call you at home the day after surgery to check on your recovery. If we are unable to reach you within 48 hours, you will be mailed a post-operative questionnaire to complete and return.

2. For your well being, we recommend that you wait at least 24 hours before you:

• Drive or use power equipment
• Eat a heavy meal
• Consume alcoholic beverages
• Take medication not approved by your physician
• Sign important papers or make important decisions
• Stay by yourself

3. Any problems following surgery should be reported to your physician's office.