Out-Patient Information

Advances in medicine enable patients to have surgery and testing procedures and return home the same day. This offers convenience for you and the ability to recuperate in familiar surroundings. We offer these guidelines to make your visit at St. Joseph Medical Center as easy and comfortable as possible.

General Information

• For patients under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child and remain in the hospital throughout hospitalization.
• Prior to surgery, patients are required to make arrangements for transportation following surgery. Your driver is permitted to wait at the hospital or our staff will contact your driver at the appropriate time.
• An anesthesiologist will meet with you to review medical history and laboratory studies.  If this was not done in the Pre-Admission Testing Office, the anesthesia staff will be evaluating you the morning of the procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything including water after midnight before your scheduled surgery.
• Ask your physician or the anesthesiology staff in the Pre-Admission Testing Office about taking regular medications prior to surgery. If you are directed to take medication, do so using only a sip of water.
• Patients with special needs or mentally challenged should be accompanied by an adult who can provide all the necessary medical information for the patient.

Surgery Schedule

Please contact Ambulatory Services between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at (610)-378-2050 the day before your surgery. If surgery is scheduled for Monday, please call on the prior Friday. The staff will give you a time to arrive on the unit to begin preparation for your procedure.

The Ambulatory Services Checklist

Three to four days before your procedure . . .

• Make arrangements for a driver to take you home from the Medical Center.
• Make arrangements for someone to stay with you the night of your surgery, or for someone to check on your progress the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Do you understand your medication instructions and what medications you can and cannot take before surgery? Call your physician with any questions you may have.
• Make any necessary care arrangements for your children or other dependants for the time that you will be in the hospital, and for during your recovery period if your physician has advised that you will be unable to give care during that time.

The Day Before Your Procedure . . .

• If you are having surgery, contact the Ambulatory Services nursing station between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at (610)-378-2050 the day before your surgery. If surgery is scheduled for Monday, please call on the prior Friday.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless you were instructed to take medications with a sip of water.
• Verify that your designated driver is still available to drive you home from the Medical Center. If your driver will not be waiting during your procedure, be sure to write down his/her phone number so a nurse can call him/her for you.
• Verify dependent care arrangements.

• Shower or bathe before you arrive at the hospital, removing all makeup and nail polish.
• You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any fluids including water and/or mouthwash while brushing your teeth.
• A prescription may be given to you at the time of discharge. You may wish to make plans to have your prescription filled on your way home.
• On the day of your surgery, please report to the Ambulatory Services unit nursing station on the fourth floor at you scheduled time. The unit opens at 5:30 a.m. so please try not to report prior to that time.

During Your Surgery

Family members or significant others are welcome to wait in the Hospitality Lounge. A vending area, and the hospital cafeteriaare available to all visitors.

Discharge

The actual discharge time will vary with each individual and is dependent on the type of surgery, anesthesia and recovery process for each patient. The physician will determine your readiness for discharge.

After Surgery

Following surgery, your normal abilities may be impaired. For this reason, we suggest the following guidelines for the first 24 hours after surgery.

• Arrange to have a friend or family member provide care for you during the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Do not drive.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Dizziness may be a side effect of anesthesia.
• Your decision making ability may be impaired. Avoid making important decisions for at least 24 hours.