Spine Center at Riverview Medical Center Pre-operative Spine Surgery Education Guide
Welcome Welcome and thank you for choosing Riverview Medical Center for your spinal surgery. The Spine Center of Riverview Medical Center is located on 5-West. Our unit is dedicated to the highest quality of care following spinal surgery. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your stay a positive experience. Our Team While at the Spine Center you will be assigned a registered nurse and a patient care associate who will be assisting your registered nurse with your daily care. You will have access to a physical therapist and an occupational therapist, as well as a respiratory therapist. Nutrition Services will be available to assist with your dietary needs, and a representative from case management will be available for your discharge needs. Preparing for your surgery In preparation for your spine surgery please evaluate your home environment to assure your safety upon discharge. Obstacles may include throw rugs, electrical cords and uneven surfaces. Please make arrangements for assistance with shopping, food preparation and light housekeeping, our Concierge Care services are available to help with arranging these services if you need assistance (See page 4). It will also be helpful to bring objects that you may use frequently to waist level as to not bend or reach post operatively. The evening before surgery You will receive a call from the anesthesiologist the evening before surgery. Please have your most recent medication list prepared and available as well as your medical and surgical history. A member of the Surgical Day Stay Team will also telephone you the evening before your surgery to inform you of what time to report to the hospital the next day. PLEASE DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT, unless you were instructed otherwise by the anesthesiologist. 1
Things to Bring Please make certain to bring a list of your current medications with you to the hospital. You may also bring personal toiletries, as well as comfortable clothing and a pair of closed shoes, with rubber no-skid soles to wear while at the Spine Center. Day of Surgery Upon arrival to Riverview Medical Center please enter through the Marshall Booker Entrance and proceed to elevators 1 and 2. Surgical Day Stay is located on the 3 rd floor. The nurse in Surgical Day Stay will verify your surgical procedure, confirm that you have not eaten or drank after midnight, and review your medical and surgical history. You will be assisted into a hospital gown, and an intravenous line will be inserted for fluid and medication. There is a designated waiting room for family members located adjacent to Surgical Day Stay. Prior to your procedure you will see both your anesthesiologist and your surgeon. For your safety, another verification of your procedure and medical history may be performed. Post Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room) Once your surgery is complete you will be brought to the recovery room in your bed. You may have oxygen, intravenous with fluid infusing, and a drain from your surgical incision. The nurses in the recovery room will be monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure so you will have wires and cords attached to your chest and arm. You will also have a bandage to your neck or back. If you are having neck surgery you will be permitted to sit up in bed. If you are having back surgery depending on your doctor s orders, you may or may not be allowed to elevate the head of the bed. While in the recovery room you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything. Ice chips may be provided to you sparingly as you will be drowsy from surgery. You may also find your throat to be sore as a tube was inserted intra-operatively, this is normal and should subside within a few days. Also while in the recovery room, you will have pumps on your legs or feet. These pumps help re-circulate blood throughout your body to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots. To aid in the prevention of blood clots we strongly encourage doing ankle pumps which are the movement of your feet up and down from the ankle. We also encourage deep breathing exercises to help prevent pneumonia. You will be transferred to the Spine Center on 5-West once the recovery room staff has determined that you are not too sleepy and comfortable enough to be transported. 2
Return to 5-West (The Spine Center) When you return to the Spine Center after your surgery, the team will acclimate you to your surroundings and instruct you on how to operate the call bell system, as well as telephone and television. It is imperative that you communicate your needs to the team, especially in regards to any pain you may have. Your doctor may have consulted a pain management specialist whom you will meet the day of your surgery. Please make certain to discuss how your pain has been managed in the past so that we can meet your needs appropriately. We are dedicated to making you as comfortable as possible during your time at the Spine Center. Depending on your type of surgery, you may or may not be able to eat after surgery. Your registered nurse will inform you of any dietary restrictions. If you are permitted to eat we suggest eating light and slowly as to avoid any nausea or vomiting. The evening following your surgery you may be allowed to get up and out of bed if permitted by your doctor. Please remember to utilize the call bell system for assistance as you may be unsteady on your feet after surgery. We are committed to your recovery process and want to ensure your safety. Please note that the team will be in throughout the night monitoring your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature as per your doctor s request. The Days Following Your Surgery The morning after your surgery the team will be in early to attend to any blood work the doctor may have ordered and any personal needs you may have. Depending on your activity orders you may be allowed out of bed with assistance. Per your doctor s orders you may be able to eat, and you may call Food and Nutrition to order your meals for the day. We encourage you to drink plenty of water and choose menu items high in protein and fiber. These types of foods will help you heal and prevent constipation which is a side effect of the pain medications you will be taking after surgery. If your doctor chooses you may have physical therapy and/or occupational therapy today to assist in the recovery process. Today is also the day that your discharge planning will begin. A member of our case management team will be in to see you and assess your individual discharge needs. Your length of stay at the Spine Center will depend on the type of surgery you had, and your individual needs. Once your doctor feels you are able to be discharged safely all arrangements will be handled by our team to ensure a timely and efficient discharge process. 3
Concierge Care Concierge Care offers a variety of services to our patients and their guests, including arranging for home food delivery services, pet walking, home service contractors and services, and more. Simply call extension 1111 from your room phone and see how Concierge Care can help you. Concierge Care is a free service to all patients and guests of the Medical Center, you only pay for any services or amenities purchased on your behalf. Rehabilitation Services If further rehabilitation is needed following your stay with us you and your health care team will decide where it is best for you to continue your care. There are different options available and it depends on your medical condition, your rehabilitation progress, what help or support is available, and insurance coverage. Your surgeon, your nurse, your case manager, and your therapists will all work with you to ensure your rehabilitation plans are right for you. As part of the Meridian Health family, Riverivew provides you access to Meridian rehabilitation locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties, including Riverview Rehabilitation Center, conveniently located within the Medical Center, or in your home through Meridian at Home. So no matter where you live in the area, our team can provide the rehabilitative care you need. Progress Continues Every day after you have retuned home you will feel better. It will take your body time to heal and recover. At the Spine Center at Riverview Medical Center we are committed to assisting you before, during, and after your spine surgery. We are dedicated to providing clinical excellence with personal concern. Thank you for choosing the Spine Center at Riverview Medical Center. Part of Meridian Neuroscience At Meridian Health, we have developed programs in neuroscience to diagnose and treat a range of conditions from stroke and epilepsy, brain tumors to spine injuries and movement and memory disorders. As part of the Meridian Health family, Riverview provides you access to the staff of Meridian Neuroscience including physicians and nurses skilled in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries which threaten these critical controls and nerve centers of the body. For stories of inspiration visit MeridianNeuroscience.com 4
Important Phone Numbers Riverview Medical Center 1 Riverview Plaza Red Bank, NJ 07701 Main Phone Number: 732-741-2700 Meridian Health Line & Physician Referral: 1-800-560-9990 Patient Relations Department: 732-530-2484 Diagnostic Imaging: 732-530-2304 Medical Records: 732-530-2333 Meridian At Home: 1-800-894-6885 Pastoral Care: 732-530-2231 Pre-Admission Testing: 732-530-2476 Rehabilitation Services: (Outpatient): 732-530-2245 Rehabilitation Services (Inpatient): 732-530-2392 Spine Center: 732-450-6243 Concierge Care: Ext. 1111 For more information about any of our services visit