Augusta Health Surgery Guide

Before Surgery

Pre-registration

After scheduling your procedure, you will receive a call from a registrar.
You will need your insurance card.

Pre-Admission Testing

Based on your procedure and health history, you may receive a call from the pre-admission testing nurse.
You will need to share your medical history and medication list.
This call may take up to 45 minutes.

Arrival Time

Two business days prior to your procedure, you will receive a call with your arrival time.
If you have not received a call or need clarification, please call (540) 332-4280 or the Scheduling Office at (540) 332-4329.

Know Before You Go

Food and Drink

Please follow these instructions regarding eating and drinking prior to surgery, unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon:

If your arrival time is 5:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
If your arrival time is after 12:00 p.m. you can drink 4 oz. of water or apple juice only up to 4 hours prior to when you arrive.

Do not chew gum, eat hard candy, or use tobacco products.

Medications

Take your medications with just enough water to swallow the morning of your procedure or as directed by your doctor or the preadmission nurse.

What to Wear

Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat shoes.
Remove all jewelry, including body piercing jewelry, and all hair clips and pins.
Remove makeup and nail polish.

Don’t Forget

Your insurance card and two forms of identification
Any special medical equipment from home that you may need (e.g., CPAP machine, crutches, walker)

Leave at Home

Money and credit cards
Cell phones
Jewelry and other valuables
Large suitcases

Day of Surgery

Arrival

Your escort should drop you off at the Patient Entrance located in the circle to the right of the Main Entrance and then park in Lot A.
Valet parking is also available through the Main Entrance from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration

Take the elevator to the 2nd floor.
Proceed to the surgery registration desk.
Sign in at registration. (Please be sure to arrive on time!)

Preparing for Surgery

You will change into a hospital gown and be given a plastic bag for your clothing.
A pre-op nurse will check your vital signs and complete an assessment. Please alert the nurse to any special needs you might have.
You will have an intravenous line (IV) started for fluids and medications that need to be given during and after your procedure.
You will meet a member of the operating room staff.
The anesthesiologist will assess your condition, discuss a plan of care, as well as answer questions.
Your surgeon will meet you prior to surgery in the pre-op area to answer any last minute questions.
The anesthesiologist will take you to the operating room on a stretcher or bed.

During Surgery

Your family will receive instructions on where to wait while you are in surgery.
They can view your progress through surgery and recovery by watching the electronic tracker boards located in the waiting areas.
For surgeries that last more than an hour, your family will receive a call from an OR member. Please provide a current, working cell phone number to help us reach your family during this time.

After Surgery

Recovery

If required, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or a Phase 1 Recovery Room where:

You will be connected to a cardiac monitor and have your vital signs monitored.
You may receive oxygen until you are awake.
Warm blankets are provided.
Medication will be given if you are having pain/discomfort and/or nausea.

Once you are stable and comfortable, you will either be discharged, transferred to a Phase 2 recovery room, or to an inpatient room depending on the type of operation, anesthetic, and your medical history.

While you are in PACU, your physician or the PACU nurse will update your family or companion regarding your status. If transferred out of the PACU, your family or companion will be able to visit you in your room.

Discharge

Prior to discharge, you will be:

Given your choice of water, juice, or a soft drink
Asked to get up and walk a short distance, unless your operation or medical condition prevents you from walking
Given a discharge instruction sheet
Given any prescriptions your doctor wants you to take home
Instructed regarding follow-up care
Assisted to your vehicle, if necessary

If you are going home after surgery, you must have a responsible adult companion drive you home. You can not drive yourself home after surgery. A bus or cab is not acceptable unless someone you know is with you.

Recovering at Home

Here are some general guidelines for at-home recovery:

Limit your activities for 24 hours after your surgery.
Do not drive for at least 24 hours after your surgery, while taking narcotics, or until your doctor says it’s safe.
Complete all medications as directed by your doctor.
Your memory and judgment may be affected for up to 24 hours due to the medications used during your operation.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions and restrictions regarding your activities following surgery. Please be sure to ask questions about any post-surgery limitations.

Questions at Home

If you have questions or concerns related to your surgery, please call:

Your surgeon’s office during office hours
The hospital operator at (540) 332-4000 to page your surgeon after hours (for urgent issues)
The Outpatient Surgery department at (540) 332-4320
911 in case of an emergency or go to the nearest Emergency Room

Family and Companion Information

You must have a responsible adult escort you to and from the hospital on the day of your surgery. The person who escorts you will be responsible for your valuables and for taking you home after you are discharged.

For your safety, you will not be admitted to or discharged from the Outpatient Surgery Department without an adult as your escort. We also recommend that you arrange for someone to stay with you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.