This information is designed to inform and assist you and your family to better understand some of the preoperative and postoperative procedures you, as a patient, will require.
Patient-centered Care
Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital Patient-Centered Care directs the focus of our efforts to the patient and family. Our focus is on you the patient, therefore we have organized our resources and staff around you, rather than around specialized departments.
Staff has been cross-trained to perform additional functions. You will see familiar faces who will provide selected services and work as closely as possible with you to provide care to you and your family.
Pre-Admission Testing
Your physician may suggest that you have certain tests completed before surgery. Pre-admission testing will be scheduled and certain tests will be completed before your surgery. An example of these tests might be x-rays, blood and/or urine tests, electrocardiograms (EKG) and other studies your doctor may deem necessary. You will have an opportunity to speak with a registered nurse who will make sure all your tests are completed.
Ambulatory Surgery Care Unit (ASCU)
The Ambulatory Surgical Care Unit focuses on providing same-day admission and discharge of the surgical patient. This process includes complete patient admission evaluations, pre-operative education, diagnostic tests and answering pertinent patient questions.
Assistance with your recuperation at home is then provided by family members or other supportive people. Early ambulation is valuable and patients generally relax and rest better in familiar surroundings. Recovery tends to be faster and more comfortable at home. Family members are better able to provide this assistance when they are given the opportunity to learn about the care of the member having surgery.
Consent Form
The Registered Nurse in the Ambulatory Surgical Care Unit (ASCU) or the nursing unit will ask you to sign a consent form for your surgical procedure. Be sure you and your family read the consent form carefully and ask questions if necessary.
Advance Directives
In accordance with federal and state legislation, the Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA) requires that all Medicare and Medicaid providers inform patients at the time of admission of their right to give specific directions to the Health Care Provider about their care. The intent of this legislation is to aid competent adult patients and their families planning and communicating, in advance, their decisions about medical treatment and/or the use of artificial life support. Inclusive is the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment.
These directions are called Advance Directives. On admission you will be advised about Advanced Directives and asked about the existence of such documents. We will comply with those wishes expressed in such directives in so far as they are compatible with St. Joseph's Mission and Philosophy. Please provide us with a copy of your Advance Directive.
Anesthesia
An anesthesiologist (a physician who specializes in the administration of anesthesia) will visit you before your surgery. He or she will ask you about your previous experiences with surgery and anesthesia, and about medications you have been taking. You or your family may ask the anesthesiologist any questions you may have regarding anesthesia.
Dietary Restrictions
Before surgery (usually at midnight) you will be made N.P.O. This means nothing by mouth; no food, beverages, water or even ice chips. This is an extremely important restriction. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Personal Belongings
Remember to send home all your valuables with your family. This includes money, credit cards and jewelry. You will need to bring a picture I.D. and a co-payment if necessary. After this time you can send your credit card or checkbook home with your family. If for some reason you cannot send your valuables home, ask the nurse to notify Security. A security officer will come to you and pick up your valuables and store them in the hospital safe until you are discharged. If you need to store your valuables in the hospital safe you will be able to claim them during normal business hours.
Pastoral Care
Chaplain Services staff are available 24 hours a day to serve the spiritual needs of patients of all faiths, as well as members of your family.
Day of Your Surgery Important Things for you to do
Before leaving your room:
- Empty your bladder.
- Remove your false teeth.
- Remove all jewelry. Unremovable jewelry will be taped to you.
- Remove all hairpins or hairpieces to avoid loss.
- Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses to avoid loss.
- Remove all undergarments.
Preoperative Holding Room
When you have left your nursing unit for transfer to surgery, you will be taken to the Preoperative Holding Room. This area is a part of the Operating Room and visitors are generally not allowed. This is where the anesthesiologists will talk with you and make necessary therapy preparations. The Preoperative Holding Room is an extremely busy place and tends to get a little noisy.
Operating Room
When you are taken into the Operating Room, you will notice additional personnel dressed in scrub uniforms, caps and masks. The operating room is kept quite cool. You will see the anesthesiologist again and he or she will assist in your care during surgery. Please do not let all the activity prevent you from asking questions. Members of the surgical team work closely together to ensure your comfort and safety.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
After your operation, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. The PACU is located within the Operating Room and visitors are generally not allowed. You will remain in the PACU until you have sufficiently awakened from anesthesia and no longer require constant observation. The estimated time spent in PACU is a minimum of one hour.
The length of time required in the PACU varies for each individual, as well as the type of surgery or procedure you have had done. The PACU is an extremely busy place and tends to get a little noisy. Your family is contacted approximately one hour after you have been in the PACU to give them a status update on you. If your family requests a status update, they may use the telephone in the surgical lobby or ask the surgical hostess to dial 3934 for the PACU. A nurse will answer any special questions or concerns regarding your recovery process. You may also call the hospital operator for assistance.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Some surgeries or special surgical procedures require a stay in the Intensive Care Unit. This unit is extremely busy. All of the activities are necessary in providing care. Nurses, specifically trained, provide intensive nursing care. If family members want to inquire regarding your condition, they can use the telephone on the side of the double door entry to the Intensive Care Unit. If it is not feasible for the nurse to speak at that time, she can return the call to the surgical hostess desk where there is a telephone.
Your family should be sure to let the surgical hostess know that they are waiting to see an Intensive Care Unit patient. Please be aware that you may also be transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and the same information applies to inquiring about a loved one there.
Special Messages to Families and Friends
The surgical lobbies are located near the Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Ambulatory Services Care Unit on the third floor. There is a surgical hostess who is on duty and sits behind a desk from 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday. The surgical hostess (a member of St. Joseph's Auxiliary) will assist you regarding information about your loved one in surgery. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to seek
their assistance. Remember this is an extremely busy area; please communicate your needs as necessary.
The surgical hostess will want your name on arrival in the lobby so please keep him or her posted of your whereabouts at all times. This will be helpful when your physician wants to speak with you following your loved one’s surgery. Remember, when there is no surgical hostess, one family member should always remain in the surgical lobby unless special arrangements have been made with your physician to contact you at another time.
Some family members and friends awaiting a patient’s return from surgery become very concerned by the length of time the patient is in the Operating Room. We certainly understand this concern but want to say sometimes there are delays that are in the best interest of the patient. Surgeries sometimes are longer than previously planned. In PACU there may be delays to ensure satisfactory recovery. If delays do occur, every effort will be made to keep you updated and informed.
Reminders
Visiting hours are 11 am – 8 pm. The Critical Care areas have specific times posted.
Visitors are limited to two per patient at any time. Please consider all our patients in the hospital.
Please, no children under the age of 12 in patient rooms, unless special arrangements are made. If you, as a patient, have small children whom you are anxious to see, you may make special arrangements through the nurses' station to visit with the children in one of the hospital lobby areas.
No smoking is permitted in the hospital in accordance with state law.
Visitors should limit their length of stay. Prolonged visits may tire the patient and interfere with treatment plans.
Please make every effort to keep the noise level low. If you respect the rights of others, chances are they will return this respect and not disturb other patients.
When you think of questions for your doctor or nurse, jot them down. Please feel free to use the back of this booklet for your notes.
Discharge Planning
Discharge planning is started on your hospital admission. We encourage you to ask questions anytime and to work with us to help you. Whether you are going home or to another health care facility, there are community and private agencies that have equipment and services you may need. If you and your physician feel you might need these special services, please ask the nurse to contact the Social Work Department to assist you.