Same-Day Surgery

More and more often, patients are having surgical procedures that can be performed on an outpatient basis—saving patients from having to stay overnight in the hospital. Here’s what happens:

Before the procedure:

• A nurse will call the day before the scheduled procedure with information about what time to arrive and specific instructions about preparation and medication
• The patient may also ask any questions about the procedure at this time
• Be sure to ask about the name and location of the unit to report to, the best entrance to get there and parking arrangements at the hospital

During the procedure:

• While the patient is in the operating room (OR) and Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), family and friends can wait in the designated waiting room area
• From the PACU, the patient will be taken to the postoperative area (“post-op”), or if for some reason you need to stay overnight, to a hospital room
• Patients under 18 may have two adult family members, and a parent or legal guardian must remain in the hospital during the procedure

After the procedure:

• Someone must drive the patient home after surgery
• It is often (though not always) recommended that someone stay with the patient after surgery for at least 24 hours
• Please be sure to make these arrangements before surgery!