DRH Health is pleased that you have chosen to have your surgery/procedure at our Surgery Center. We want you to be well-informed. The following information will help prepare you for what to expect before, during and after your surgery at our Ambulatory Care Unit.

Before Your Surgery/Procedure

• You will receive phone calls from the hospital preoperative education nurse as well as the financial office. The nurse will obtain information about your medical history and medications. We want to ensure all of your information is correct for your safety.
• The preoperative education nurse will call you the day before your surgery before 5:00 PM with your arrival time. Your arrival time is not a reflection of your surgery time. The time given is typically two hours prior to scheduled time. Please be aware that unexpected situations may cause delays. We take as much time as needed to care for each patient and will for you, too.
• Eating and Drinking- Nothing to eat after midnight. This includes tobacco, gum, candy, etc. Only take medications instructed to by your physician with a sip of water. Always follow instructions given to you by your doctor.
• Leave valuables at home. Do not wear lotion, perfume or jewelry. Do not shave the operative site for at least three days prior to surgery. Wear something loose and comfortable.
• **Please disregard any patient portal you receive stating that you are to arrive at a certain time, the nurse that calls you on the telephone will tell you when to arrive for check in.

The Day of Your Surgery/Procedure

• Check in at Admissions Outpatient Surgery (AOS). This is located on the Southwest corner of our main hospital, see campus map here. Please arrive on time. We cannot predict how long your stay will be as unexpected delays can happen. We do advise that you plan your whole day for your surgery or procedure. You should not plan anything else for the day.
• You will be seen by a preoperative nurse, an operating room nurse, an anesthesia provider and your physician prior to going to surgery. We want to ensure all of your questions and concerns are addressed and that you know what to expect and that you are comfortable with your plan of care.

Postoperative Care

• After your surgery or procedure, you will spend some time in a private postoperative room. The postoperative nurse will assess your readiness to go home but this is typically a 30 minute to 1 hour stay.
• DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS- You will receive discharge instructions. These will include information about your procedure and any additional instructions written by your physician. You will also receive information on signs and symptoms of surgical site infections, anesthesia and sedation as well as postoperative pain, nausea and bleeding.

Again, we thank for trusting your care to DRH Health for your surgery or procedure. If you have any questions or need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us!