Having Surgery at the Dan & Eunice Pfeiffer Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 1
Mission Statement Improve the health and well-being of our communities. Vision Taking health care to a better place. Values 1. Strive for excellence. 2. Treat others with integrity, respect, and compassion. 3. Use effective communication and teamwork. 4. Demonstrate a commitment to our universe: the environment, the community, the organization, and one another. Important information Name Surgeon s Name Tentative Surgery Date Surgery Type Special Instructions SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 2
Your Surgery Experience at the Dan & Eunice Pfeiffer Surgery Center People usually have many questions when they are facing surgery. This booklet is designed to help answer many of the questions people typically ask. Reading through this information will help prepare you and your family for your upcoming surgery at Metro Health Hospital. The staff at Metro Health wants you to know that everything possible is being done to provide you with the highest quality care. If you still have questions after reading this booklet, please discuss them with your doctor or another member of your health care team. U m U m m m m m You may preregister on Metro Health s web site at metrohealth. net and click on Online Pre-Registration under Quick Links. If a Pre-surgical Testing appointment is needed prior to surgery, the hospital will contact you. U U U If you have questions before your surgery, call your doctor. One to two business days before your surgery, we will call you to confirm the time you should arrive at the hospital for your scheduled surgery. For Monday surgery, we will call you on Thursday or Friday. If we do not reach you two business days prior to surgery, you may call Pre-surgical Testing at (616) 252-7843 or 1-800-968-0051, ext. 7843, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. U For questions or concerns on the day of your surgery, please call Surgery Prep and Recovery at (616) 252-7109 or 1-800-968-0051, ext. 7109. Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 1 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 1
About Metro Health Hospital Metro Health Hospital is a family-oriented, mediumsized, general hospital. Metro s skilled and supportive staff will provide quality care for your physical and emotional needs during your surgery experience. Depending upon your individual needs and type of surgery, you will be admitted to Metro Health Hospital as an inpatient, same-day admission patient, or outpatient. 2 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 2
Quality Care Inpatients are admitted to the hospital one or two days before surgery. Pre-surgery tests and consultations are done in the hospital. Some recovery time will be in the hospital. Same-day-admission patients are admitted to the hospital the day of their surgery and stay in the hospital for part of their recovery. Outpatient surgery patients are admitted to the hospital the day of surgery and are discharged later that same day to recover at home. Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 3 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 3
Preparing for Surgery How your body responds to surgery and how quickly you recover depends on more than just the type of health care you receive. The care you give yourself before and after surgery is important also. Here are some things that may make your surgery and recovery smoother and faster. Carefully follow your health care provider s instructions. If there is something you don t understand, ask to have it explained to you. You may need Pre-surgical Testing. Whether you do need testing and what tests you may need is determined by your doctor s wishes, the type of surgery you are having and your health history. After your doctor schedules you for surgery, the Pre-surgical Testing Department will call you for information on your medical history. If you need testing, an appointment will be scheduled. If you will be staying overnight, you might need to come in for a Pre-surgical Testing appointment. You must have a responsible adult come with you, stay during surgery, drive you home and stay with you after surgery. You re not allowed to drive home after anesthesia. Your surgery may be cancelled if you are not accompanied by a responsible adult. If you smoke, it is recommended you stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your surgery. This will improve the performance of your lungs and circulation. Also, please keep in mind that Metro Health Village is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on hospital grounds, including parking lots. Do not drink alcohol (beer, wine, or liquor) for at least two days prior to your surgery. If you do not feel well or have a cold, rash or fever, call your doctor to see if postponing your surgery is necessary. Certain prescriptions or over-the-counter medication, like Aspirin, Advil, Aleve and Coumadin, may cause extra bleeding during surgery. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking these or other medications. Herbal preparations may also interact with anesthesia medications. Be sure to notify the nurse if you take any herbal supplements. For three consecutive days prior to surgery, shower or bathe with antibacterial soap, such as Dial. 4 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 4
The Day Before Surgery One to two days before your surgery: One to two business days before your surgery, we will call you to confirm the time you should arrive at the hospital for your scheduled surgery. For Monday surgery, we will call you on Thursday or Friday. If we do not reach you two business days prior to your surgery, you may call Pre-surgical Testing at (616) 252-7843, or 1-800-968-0051, ext. 7843, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., M-F. Make sure you have arranged for a responsible adult to come with you, stay at the hospital during surgery and drive you home. It is necessary you have someone stay with you when you go home. Do not eat or drink anything including candy, chewing gum, or water after midnight the night before your surgery unless otherwise directed by hospital staff. Shower or bathe the night before or the morning of surgery. Antibacterial soap such as Dial is recommended. You may brush and rinse your teeth, but do not swallow any water. Remove nail polish. Leave all jewelry, including wedding rings and body piercings, at home. Remove make-up. Leave money and valuables at home. Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 5 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 5
On the Day of Surgery You will be asked to arrive 1 1 /2 2 hours before your surgery. Come to the main entrance of the hospital. You will be directed to the Dan & Eunice Pfeiffer Surgery Center. Bring your insurance card, personal identification and any other information needed for registration. During the surgery preparation process, you will be asked to put on a wrap-around hospital gown and slippers. Wear loosefitting clothing that can be easily removed. If you are going to be admitted to the hospital to recover after surgery, you may bring a small bag of personal belongings. Leave these items in your vehicle until you are brought to your room. An identification bracelet will be placed on your wrist. Your height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, breathing and temperature will be checked and a nurse will ask you several questions about your health. The nurse will explain any medication that has been ordered for you. He or she will also give your family or friends instructions on where to wait during your surgery. For questions or concerns on the day of surgery, please call (616) 252-7109 or 1-800-968-0051, ext. 7109. 6 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 6
An intravenous line (IV) will be inserted in your arm, unless you are having local anesthetic. The purpose of the IV is so you can be given necessary fluids and anesthetic medications during surgery. IVs for small children are inserted in the operating room. Listening to music can be relaxing and may calm you before, during and after your operation. Music can slow breathing and pulse rates and lower your blood pressure. If there is a particular type of music you like, please bring it with you on the day of your surgery, along with your CD or MP3 player. If you have a DPOA (Durable Power of Attorney) for medical or a living will, please bring it with you on the day of surgery. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be asked to remove them. Please bring the proper case to store them. If you wear dentures, your anesthesiologist may ask you to remove them. If you use a CPAP or BiPap machine, please inform the nurse who calls you for your medical history. You will need to bring this with you on the day of surgery. Written discharge instructions will be reviewed with you and your family. If you have questions after you go home, your discharge instructions will include any phone numbers you may need. When you are ready to go home, a nurse or family member will help you dress. You will be transported to your car in a wheelchair. If you do not understand something about your surgery, please ask your nurse to further explain so you feel comfortable. Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 7 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 7
Your Anesthetic The purpose of anesthesia is to keep the patient asleep during surgery or to make areas of the body insensitive to pain. An anesthesiologist is a physician who has been trained in the medical and technological aspects of anesthesia. He or she may also work with a trained nurse anesthetist. There are different types of anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will determine the type to be used for your surgery based on your medical condition, individual needs and wishes. General anesthesia is the most common type of anesthesia. When general anesthesia is used, a combination of medications are given through the veins, and gases are inhaled through the lungs to put the patient to sleep. Regional anesthesia makes large areas of the body insensitive to pain. Regional anesthesia works by the anesthesiologist injecting anesthetic medications near the spinal cord or around major nerves. It includes spinals and epidurals. Local anesthesia is when anesthetic medications are injected to make smaller areas of the body insensitive to pain. Intravenous medications are medications which are given through a needle inserted in your arm. They are often used along with local and regional anesthesia to relax patients and make them drowsy. On the day of your surgery, you will have an opportunity to meet and talk with your anesthesiologist. If you have any questions about your anesthetic, please ask them at this time. If you wear a hearing aid, ask the anesthesiologist if you should wear it during surgery. Also, you should inform the anesthesiologist if you have loose, weak, or capped teeth. 8 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 8
The Operating Room The anesthesiologist will bring you to the operating room where you will be gently moved onto the operating table. The anesthesiologist will then apply a blood pressure cuff and special equipment to monitor your heart, blood pressure, and oxygen levels constantly throughout your surgery. The Operating Room is a safe and sterile environment staffed by a team of several different types of trained medical professionals. Family members are not allowed in the operating room. Your Surgical Team: Your surgeon, who leads the team Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, who administers anesthesia during the operation A surgical assistant The scrub nurse, who organizes the surgical instruments and assists the surgeon The circulating nurse, who works as your advocate at all times during surgery. For example, he or she will make sure sterile procedures are used. If You Need a Blood Transfusion: Blood transfusions are sometimes needed during surgery. You may be able to donate your own blood to be used during your surgery. Your surgeon will let you know if this is necessary. Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 9 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 9
Recovering from Surgery After surgery you will be moved to the recovery room for close observation and monitoring as you awaken from anesthesia. Once you are awake, you will be moved to the Surgery Prep and Recovery area. If you are going home the same day as your surgery, you may be allowed to sit in a recliner for this phase of your recovery. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be brought to your room. If you had local or regional anesthesia, you may be moved directly back to the Surgery Prep and Recovery area. Every effort is made by your surgeon to see you or your family after surgery. Due to anesthesia, you may not remember their visit. After Your Surgery: You may be very sleepy at first. The nurse may frequently ask you to take deep breaths and cough in order to keep your lungs clear. If you have an abdominal incision, your nurse will instruct you on how to splint your incision with a pillow or a blanket. You may have some nausea and vomiting. Medication may be offered to help alleviate this. Once the nausea lessens, you will be encouraged to drink fluids. 10 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 10
Since a tube is placed in your mouth or windpipe during surgery, you may experience a sore throat. The anesthesia gas may also cause this. The soreness should disappear in about two days. You may experience discomfort where an intravenous needle was inserted in your hand or arm. In a few days, the soreness and any bruising will go away. You may feel tired; but it is important that you gradually increase your activity level, along with getting adequate rest. Pain Management The staff of Metro Health Hospital are committed to pain prevention and management. Relief of pain is an important part of your care. You should discuss with your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management during your hospital stay as well as at home after your procedure. During your entire stay at the hospital, your comfort level will be monitored. You will be asked to use a pain rating scale like the one shown. We will work together to develop a plan for pain management. You can help by: helping the doctor or nurse assess your pain; telling the doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved; telling your doctor or nurse about any worries you might have about taking pain medications. Pain Rating Scales 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No moderate Worst pain pain possible pain 0 2 4 6 8 10 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center 11 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 11
Going Home W hen you are awake and ready to return home, the Surgery Prep and Recovery staff will discharge you by wheelchair to your car so you can continue your recovery in the comfort of your own surroundings. If you have any questions or concerns about your surgery, please contact us at the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions. 12 Metro Health Hospital Surgery Center SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 12
Thank You for Choosing Metro Health Hospital Metro Health Hospital along with Saint Mary s Mercy Medical Center and Spectrum Health are Smoke Free Facilities. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on hospital grounds, including parking lots. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to provide a healthy environment for our patients and staff. 5900 Byron Center Avenue SW Wyoming, Michigan 49519 616-252-7200 metrohealth.net SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 13
Locating Metro Health Hospital Sparta Cedar Springs Greenville Rockford Comstock Park Allendale Lowell Grand Rapids Cascade Jenison Grandville Kentwood Wyoming Byron Center Byron Center Ave SW Caledonia Wayland Metro Health Hospital at Metro Health Village 5900 Byron Center Avenue SW Wyoming, Michigan Between M-6 & Gezon Parkway N HEALTH DRIVE CENTER DRIVE GEZON PARKWAY METRO WAY BYRON CENTER AVENUE MAIN STREET VILLAGE DRIVE MAIN STREET SOUTH MAIN STREET CENTER DRIVE MAIN STREET SERVICE DRIVE HEALTH DRIVE METRO WAY METRO WAY Main Entrance METRO WAY METRO WAY METRO COURT Key METRO LANE Metro Health Hospital Current Village Buildings Parking Lot Rapid Bus Stop M-6 HIGHWAY To order more booklets for your practice, please call (616) 252-4655. CP-SRG-1004 06/13 SRG-1004 Surgery Booklet-English.indd 14