BMC Surgery Patient Instructions
At BMC, we encourage family involvement.
A comfortable waiting on the Main Floor of BMC is provided for family and friends of patients in surgery with a patient liaison on staff to keep families in contact with the patient's surgical team. The family waiting area is open from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Fridays.
A member of the family is permitted to stay with the patient until they go to surgery and can return to the patient's bedside as soon as the patient is stable after surgery.
In the Days Before Your SurgeryPlease follow these guidelines carefully as you prepare for surgery: this will help make sure things go as smoothly as possible.Please tell your doctor if you get a cold, cough, fever, stomach flu, or asthma attack any time in the week before surgery. Please don't wait until the day of your operation. Call your doctor as soon as any of these occur.
If you will be going home on the same day as your surgery (or if there is a chance you may go home), please make sure a responsible adult will be able to take you. For your safety, you will not be allowed to leave or drive yourself home. If you live alone, it is best if a family member or friend stays with you on the night after your surgery.
Your doctor is likely to have given you instructions to shower or bathe with an antibacterial soap in the immediate days before surgery. Please follow these instructions carefully as its an important step in preventing post-op infection.
You will be told which of your usual medications to take before surgery.
The operating room schedule sometimes changes due to unexpected events. You will be contacted by OR scheduling the evening before surgery on regular business days to be given the exact arrival time for admission. For surgery scheduled on Mondays, you will receive this information on Friday. This will help us avoid delays and cancellations on the day of your surgery.
When You Arrive at the HospitalWear comfortable, loose clothing that you can easily put on after your procedure.Makeup will need to be removed before surgery.Please do not use body lotion on the morning of your surgery.Do not bring valuables such as large sums of money or credit cards.All jewelry and contact lenses must be removed before surgery, so please leave them home. Remember to bring a case for your glasses.If you anticipate that you may need crutches, a cane or a walker, and have these at home, please bring it with you.If you have a health care proxy, please bring a copy with you to the hospital.
HEALTH CARE PROXY
Under state and federal law, you have rights about making your own health care decisions. You also have ways to be sure that your wishes will be followed even if you become incapable of making decisions on your own. You can do this my making advance directives (statements written ahead of time) about your health care. In Massachusetts, the Health Care Proxy is the recognized document (M.G.I. Chapter 201C).
You may be asked, whether or not you have signed a health care proxy. If you have done so, we will file it in your current medical record.
If you are going to be (or may be) admitted overnight, please bring a small bag of personal items. It is best if you have someone bring these to you once you are in your room.
Please arrive at the hospital at the time specified. We need you to arrive early for two reasons. Our OR schedule sometimes changes because of unexpected events, and we need some flexibility in scheduling patients for their surgery. Second, we will need time to finish preparing you for surgery. You may want to bring a book or newspaper to read in case you have to wait before you are called for surgery.
If you are having a local anesthetic ONLY (no sedation) for your procedure, please check with your surgeon about your arrival time.
Once You've Checked In
BMC is proud of our Surgical Team’s use of Recognized Patient Safety initiatives. It is standard practice for our teams to validate your identity and procedure multiple times. This will start from the moment your surgery is scheduled.
You will be asked to sit in the waiting area until a nurse comes to greet you. The nurse will take you to a private area so you can get ready for your surgery. One family member can come with you at this time. Please feel free to ask the nurse any questions you may have.
Your nurse will give you a hospital gown. You can give your clothes and other belongings to a staff member.
A surgical liaison will greet you and your family prior during the admission process. This staff communicates with the operating room and will keep your family informed of your progress. The surgical waiting area for family is located on the Main floor of the hospital adjacent to the OR's. Should your family decide to leave this area during your surgery, they will be instructed by the liaison to leave contact instructions.
When It's Time for Your Surgery
In the operating room, a blood pressure cuff will be put on your arm and an EKG will be attached. Other equipment may also be used, depending on the type of surgery you are having. This is all routine. Again, feel free to ask any questions.
After Your Surgery
After your operation, you will be brought to a recovery room (PACU - post anesthesia care unit). A PACU nurse will care for you as the effects of anesthesia or sedation are wearing off.
If You Are Going Home on the Day of Surgery
You will stay in recovery until you are awake, able to drink fluids, and able to walk safely. Your nurse will make sure that any pain or discomfort is adequately controlled. Before you leave, your nurse will review written discharge instructions with you and your family or friend. You must be accompanied home by a responsible adult and it is recommended that a responsible adult stays with you for 24 hours following discharge from the hospital.
If You Are Being Admitted to the Hospital
You will stay in recovery until you are ready to go to your room. Staff will make sure that your belongings are transported to your room. Your family and friends are welcome to visit you in your room. They can check with your nurse about visiting policies on the unit.
