GETTING
Ready
with missouri baptist medical center
The Surgical Patient Guide
What you need to know
Whether you’re having major surgery — or a minor outpatient procedure — it’s important to
know what to expect every step of the way. And that starts well in advance of the day you
have surgery. So we’ve prepared this booklet to help guide you through the process:
7 Things To Do........................................................................................................1
Getting Ready for Surgery.........................................................................................2
1 Week Before Surgery.............................................................................................4
Night Before Surgery................................................................................................6
Day of Surgery.........................................................................................................7
After Your Surgery..................................................................................................10
Special Guide for Outpatients.................................................................................13
If you have any questions about your surgery, please contact your physician. For questions
about Missouri Baptist Medical Center, please refer to the list of phone numbers in the
back of this guide.
Thank you for choosing Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Together, we’ll help you prepare
for your surgery — so you can get better, faster.
7 Things To Do
1. DO: Bring your insurance information.
2. DO: Bring photo identification, such as your driver’s license.
3. DO: Bring your inhaler or CPAP machine, if you rely on one.
4. DO: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
5. DO: Plan to have an adult family member or friend drive you home.
(If you don’t, your surgery may be canceled or postponed.)
6. DO: Leave all your valuables, such as jewelry, electronic devices or cash at home.
7. DO: Contact your physician if you have any questions or issues before or after
your surgery.
Care Agreement: Know Your Rights
• You have the right to help plan your care.
• To do this, you first must learn about your health condition(s) and how they may
be treated.
• You then will be prepared to discuss treatment options, your goals and
preferences with your care team.
• You always have the right to refuse treatment.
• Please help your care providers by providing accurate, up-to-date phone contact
numbers, allergies and medication lists.
1 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
Getting Ready for Surgery
1. Schedule your visit to the Surgical Evaluation Center
With a focus on the need for accurate health information, the Surgical Evaluation Center is
an important first step to a successful surgery.
• Your health history will be reviewed.
• Lab tests and X-rays may be completed.
• Your primary care physician and/or specialists may be contacted for input.
• Your medical chart will be compiled to offer a complete picture of your health for your
Missouri Baptist surgical team.
Call 314-996-5276 now to schedule your pre-surgery appointment. Your pre-surgical visit
and any tests we perform will save time and help you stay focused on your surgery and
getting better.
2. Bring your Advanced Healthcare Directive
If you have an Advanced Healthcare Directive, please bring it when you visit the Surgical
Evaluation Center. If you don’t have one, now’s a good time to take care of it. The Surgical
Evaluation Center can help you complete the form.
3. Please stop smoking
• It is essential that you stop, because smokers have a higher rate of infection and
complications. If you need help, just ask or call 1-800-QUIT NOW or visit www.quitnow.
net.
• At a minimum, do not smoke 12-24 hours prior to your surgery. This reduces your risk
for lung infections. Also, do not drink beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages for at least
24 hours prior to surgery.
4. Diabetes care
It is very important to work with your physician to control your blood glucose levels,
especially before you have your surgery. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase complications,
slow healing and increase your risk of infection. Please work with your healthcare team and
surgeon to control your diabetes and decide if your glucose levels make it safe to proceed
with your surgery.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 2
5. Plan ahead for going home
Choose a close friend or family member to be your care partner BEFORE you come to the
hospital for your surgery. This person should be able to:
• Drive you to the hospital.
• Wait with you before your surgery.
• Listen to the instructions for your care after the surgery.
• Pick up any prescriptions that may be needed.
• Drive you home.
• Stay with you overnight to assist you.
• Help you at home until you are able to care for yourself.
• Schedule follow-up appointments with your doctor.
Until you’ve fully recovered, be sure you have the support you need for:
• Meals
• Transportation
• Housework
• Grocery shopping
• Mail
• Bathing/dressing
• Home exercise/therapy
• Lawn care
• Pet care
• Dependent care
3 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
1 Week Before Surgery
Planning ahead for a successful surgery means asking the right questions. Now is the time to
ask yourself:
❏
Do you have an infection?
Notify your surgeon’s office right away if you think you might have an infection of
any kind, such as:
•
•
•
•
❏
Bladder infection
Skin infection
Tooth infection
Respiratory infection
Is everything ready for your surgery?
Have you had your pre-surgical testing at the Surgical Evaluation Center?
Call 314-996-5276 for an appointment (unless your surgeon tells you it is not
necessary).
❏
Have you registered your insurance information with Missouri Baptist?
If not, call 314-996-5170 to register for your surgery.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 4
For Your Safety
The safety of our patients is one of our top priorities. That’s why we take several
precautionary measures to help ensure your safety and the best possible outcome for your
surgery. Here are just a few of the safety measures that you’ll notice:
• Name & Birthdate
We use your name and birthdate for standard identification. So, we may ask you to state your name and birthdate throughout each transition of your stay, from admission to discharge.
• Confirming Surgical Site
We’ll ask you to identify the correct surgical site. We’ll then compare that with your diagnostic test results and physician’s notes. The surgical site also may be marked or identified with a special band. It’s one more way to ensure that we’re proceeding
correctly.
5 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
Night Before Surgery
❏
Don’t eat or drink ANYTHING after midnight, including chewing gum, candy
and lozenges.
❏
Don’t smoke anything after midnight.
❏
Remove all nail polish from your fingernails.
❏
Begin your skin preparation, because a clean body is VERY IMPORTANT to help
prevent infection. You will use the kit with Chlorhexidine-based soap that you
received during your Surgical Evaluation Center visit.
• Wash your hair with your normal shampoo; do not use any styling products.
• Wet your entire body with water.
• Step away from the water, or turn the shower off.
• Using half the bottle of the Chlorhexidine-based soap, apply the soap from your
neck to your toes, being careful NOT to use it in your genital area. Leave the
lather on the skin for three minutes paying special attention to your surgical
site.
• Step back under the water and rinse well.
• Dry with a FRESH, CLEAN towel.
• Do NOT apply any lotions, powders or deodorants to your skin.
• Do NOT shave your surgical site or otherwise remove hair from your body. The
nurse will take care of this for you, if required.
• Sleep in FRESH, CLEAN pajamas on FRESH, CLEAN sheets.
❏
If you use a CPAP (for continuous positive airway pressure) machine, prepare to
pack and bring it with you in the morning.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 6
Day of Surgery
Before leaving home:
❏
Brush your teeth.
❏
Wash your body in the same manner as last night, using the other half of the
special soap.
❏
Use the special scrub brush and nail pick, given to you at the Surgical Evaluation
Center, to scrub your hands and remove the dirt under your fingernails.
❏
Wear FRESH, CLEAN clothes to the hospital for your surgery.
❏
Do NOT wear make-up, powder or perfume to the hospital.
❏
Take medications that you were instructed to take the morning of your surgery,
with a small sip of water.
REMEMBER:
❏
Leave valuables at home, including: cash, credit cards, checkbooks, jewelry
and items of sentimental value (including clothing).
❏
Remove ALL jewelry, including wedding bands and body jewelry.
❏
Also leave at home all electronic devices, such as laptops, iPads, e-readers,
personal music and game players. Also, leave your cell phone, unless your care partner can accept responsibility for its safety.
❏
Bring storage cases for eye glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures to check-in for safekeeping while you’re in surgery.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center is not responsible for lost items.
7 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
Arriving and checking in
Here is a step-by-step guide of what to expect, from arrival to discharge. If you have
any questions about your surgery — including how long the procedure and recovery are
expected to take — ask your physician.
❏
Valet parking — FREE and available from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the hospital’s Main Entrance (no tipping, please). FREE parking is easy
and convenient in our covered Main Garage, if you prefer.
❏
Please check-in at the Surgery Center desk on the second floor of the West Pavilion:
• You are welcome to bring family members or a designated contact person to the
admission and surgery preparation processes. Your nurse will instruct them on
where its best to wait during your surgery. You can see them again after your
procedure when you are more awake.
• The surgical receptionist will give your family and/or designated contact a
beeper to let them know when your surgery is completed.
• After surgery, your surgeon will meet with your family and/or designated
contact.
• It is important that your family and/or designated contact be available when
your surgery is completed so that your surgeon can provide an update on your
condition.
Right before surgery
• Your pre-operative nurse will review your medications and health history with you and
start an IV in your arm. When you visit the Surgical Evaluation Center before your
surgery, we collect this information. But to make sure we have the most up-to-date
information, we’ll discuss it again with you.
• You will meet with your anesthesiologist to discuss the most appropriate anesthetic
for you, as well as how to best manage your pain after surgery.
• Your surgeon will meet with you again to review your surgical plan and will mark
where the surgery will occur.
• You will be given medication through your IV that will help you relax before going to
the operating room.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 8
During your surgery
Your surgical team will take excellent care of you, monitoring your breathing, heart rate
and blood pressure throughout your surgery.
Right after surgery
• You’ll wake up in the recovery room, where you’ll spend a minimum of one hour.
• While there, specially-trained nurses and an anesthesiologist will monitor your
breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and pain management.
• When your recovery room team feels that you’re able to move to your room, or you are
ready to go home, your team will notify your family or contact person.
• During your recovery, your family and/or designated contact will be directed to the
waiting room. If you are in recovery longer than an hour, your nurse will contact them
with an update on your progress.
9 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
After Your Surgery
Managing your pain
• With less pain, you can move around more easily, breathe deeper and cough more
effectively — all keys to getting your strength back sooner. The only way for us to
know about your pain is for you to tell us. So your nurse, therapist or doctor may ask:
•
•
•
•
•
Where is your pain?
What does your pain feel like? (For example, pressure, burning, throbbing, etc.)
What makes your pain worse?
What makes your pain better?
What level of pain or discomfort is OK for you to do the activities necessary for
your recovery? (This is called your pain goal.)
• Tell your nurse what your pain score is on a regular basis, but especially within an
hour after pain medication has been given. That way, your nurse will know how much
your pain has decreased and if there is something else that needs to be done to help
relieve your pain.
0
No Hurt
2
Hurts
Little Bit
4
Hurts
Little More
6
Hurts
Even More
8
Hurts
Whole Lot
10
Hurts
Worst
Worst people process these medications
Completely
• Pain medications are NOT scheduled.
Because
Possible
interferes
10
Pain
with ADL’s*
differently, pain medicines are
given only when
you ask for them. This is different
9
Very
Greatly
from the other medications that you may be taking,
which are on a schedule. Talk
Severe
interferes
8
Pain
with ADL’s*
with your nurse for additional information about your pain management needs.
7
6 canSevere
Pain
Taking care of yourself: here’s what you
do
5
Somewhat
Moderate
• Take some deep breaths (the kind
interferesthat move your stomach muscles) every two hours
4
Pain
with ADL’s*
while you’re awake.
3
Mildly
interferes
• Cough deeply at the end of each
deep 2
breathMildtoPainclear any mucus that has settled in
with ADL’s*
1
your chest.
Partially
interferes
with ADL’s*
Does not
interfere
with ADL’s*
• If you smoked before surgery, consider 0this as a great time to quit altogether. Ask your
doctor or nurse about the additional support available to help you stop.
No Pain
*Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Such as sleeping, eating, mood, walking,
enjoyment of life relationships.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 10
Just in case:
• If you have nausea as a side effect of surgery and/or anesthesia:
• Eat small meals throughout the day, so you won’t feel too full.
• Limit liquids at mealtime — again, so you won’t feel too full.
• Sit upright while eating, eat slowly and chew well.
• Eat dry foods like toast, dry cereal and crackers, to absorb stomach acid.
• Avoid hot, spicy or greasy foods and strong odors that can increase nausea.
• Try to relax and open a window or go outside for some fresh air.
• Take your medications with food, if that’s the recommendation on the bottle.
• If you’re constipated after surgery:
• Drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day (when you’re able to eat and drink again).
• Drink prune juice, if your diet allows you to have juice (when able to eat and
drink).
• Eat a fiber-rich diet including fresh fruits and vegetables (when able to eat and
drink).
• Exercise three times per week, or as your physician directs you.
• Ask your doctor if your medications are causing your constipation.
• Ask your physician about the need for fiber supplements or stool softeners.
• Call your doctor if your bowels haven’t moved within three days after your
surgery.
• Check your incision every day and follow your surgeon’s instructions. Call your
surgeon right away if there’s:
• Separation or increased bleeding from the incision.
• Increased warmth, swelling, redness or tenderness around the incision.
• Pus, dark-yellow drainage or foul-smelling drainage from the incisions.
• A fever greater than 101 degrees by mouth, or if you have chills.
11 |
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
• Blood clots can develop in your leg veins, if you’ve been resting in bed for a long
time. This type of blood clot is called ‘deep vein thrombosis’ or ‘DVT’ and can be
very dangerous to your health. If you have any of these symptoms, CALL YOUR
DOCTOR:
• Swelling, pain, warmth or redness in the calf or thigh.
• You may have a fever, and it may hurt to walk.
How to help prevent blood clots (deep vein thrombosis):
• Get out of bed and move around as soon as you can after surgery.
• Periodically move your legs while you are sitting or lying down.
• Don’t smoke!
• Don’t cross your legs or ankles for long periods of time.
• When traveling, try to stand and walk or stretch every one to two hours.
• Don’t wear tight clothing, such as girdles, socks or pantyhose.
• Keep your bowel movements soft and DO NOT strain.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 12
Special Guide for Outpatients
Follow these tips immediately after outpatient surgery and discharge from the hospital:
• Recovering in the hospital
When you are more awake, you may experience some lingering discomfort from your
surgery. Share this with your nurse. It may be time for pain medication, or it may be a
chance to learn about alternative approaches to pain management, such as deep
breathing. Even though your surgery is classified as an outpatient procedure, it is a
surgery. Some discomfort is to be expected.
If you experience nausea, waiting a bit longer to resume eating can reduce or even
eliminate this unpleasant side effect. Snacking is limited while you’re with us.
• Going home
Be sure someone can drive you home after your surgery. For extra precaution, consider
having someone stay with you at home for the first 24 hours.
• Resting at home
13 |
Once you’re home, be sure to get plenty of rest. Don’t overdo it. Your body needs time
to recover and adjust following surgery. Schedule an adequate amount of time off work
and avoid other strenuous activities, based on your physician’s recommendations.
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
• Things to avoid
You shouldn’t drive, operate heavy machinery, smoke, or drink alcohol for at least
24 hours after your surgery. DO NOT mix your pain medications with alcohol.
•Remember:
• Don’t skip meals! It may lead to feeling dizzy, shaky, or anxious. Taking your pain
medicine without eating may lead to nausea or vomiting.
• Be patient! It may take some time to begin feeling like yourself again. You
may find that you feel more tired than usual for up to 4 to 6 weeks after your
procedure.
• Germs are everywhere! Even healthy people have them. Clean your hands often
with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub to protect yourself. Remind
your friends and family, too.
Take control of your health at myBJC.org
When it comes to taking care of your own health and wellness, knowledge is power.
And that power is right at your fingertips when you visit myBJC.org. It’s a secure
website that’s all about you: your health information, your lab test and imaging
results — and much more.
To register online, just visit www.mybjc.org/patient/enroll. And remember, no one
can see your information but you. It’s safe, secure, convenient (and even a little
fun!).
You’ll need your Patient Discharge Number, located at the top right of your
discharge instructions. We’ll also ask you to verify your identity, to make sure it’s
you.
Congratulations for taking control of your health! Good health is a commitment
you make to yourself and also to your family. It means living a healthy lifestyle and
knowing your risk factors: blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol and body
weight. Being screened for your health risk gives you power to make changes in your
lifestyle and improve your overall health.
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
| 14
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
•.
Operator.................................................................................. 314-996-5000
•.
Registration............................................................................. 314-996-5050
•.
Surgical Evaluation Center........................................................ 314-996-5276
•
.Family Care Pharmacy.............................................................. 314-996-7501
•.
Emergency Room..................................................................... 314-996-5225
•.
Patient Advocate...................................................................... 314-996-4004
•.
Security.................................................................................. 314-996-4770
•
Pastoral Care........................................................................... 314-996-5105
My Numbers
•
My Surgeon ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
My Primary Care Physician ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
My Personal Care Partner _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Notes and Special Dates
15 |
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
•
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SURGICAL PATIENT GUIDE
missouribaptist.org
3015 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
MBM16025_8/13