Preparing for Surgery

Surgery Pre-Admission Testing Interview

In preparation for your interview, please have available:

• Your health history
• Current medications you are taking with dosages, including any over the counter and herbal supplements.

Lab testing and X-rays may be performed during your visit. If you do not have someone to drive you home after your procedure, and/or if you have translating needs please inform the pre-admission testing nurse.

Elmer and Vineland 

Inspira scheduling personnel will provide you with an in-person interview appointment if needed. If you require a phone interview, a nurse will contact you approximately 72 hours prior to your surgical date.

Mullica Hill

Your surgeon’s office will provide in-person or phone interview information.

Special Preparations the Day and/or Evening Prior to Your Surgery

A specific arrival time for the day of your procedure will be supplied to you after 2 p.m. on the day prior to your procedure. If your doctor ordered a “prep” or has given you specific instructions in addition to those listed, it is important you follow them carefully. It is necessary that some of your medications be taken on the morning of your scheduled surgery. Please follow the instructions from your doctor and/or pre-admission testing nurse.  

PLEASE DO:  

• Get a good night’s sleep 
• Bathe/shower and brush your teeth 
• Wear loose-fitting clothing 
• Take medication as directed by your physician with a small sip of water 
• Bring a complete list of medications with dosages (including over the counter and herbal supplements) 
• Bring any assistive devices such as a CPAP machine, brace, surgical girdle, etc. 
• Bring dentures, hearing aids and eyeglasses (along with their cases) 
• Bring a copy of your advanced directive (if you have one) 
• Bring copies of legal guardianship and power of attorney documents if applicable 
• Remove all jewelry (ALL body piercings and wedding rings) 
• Bring a book or magazine just in case of a last-minute time change 
• Bring a responsible adult to receive discharge instructions and provide you with transportation home following surgery 
• Designate a point person who the surgeon can speak to after your surgery 

PLEASE DO NOT: 

• DO NOT drive yourself home
• DO NOT eat or drink after midnight (no gum, hard candy or mints) unless otherwise advised by your surgeon
• DO NOT wear contact lenses
• DO NOT smoke or chew tobacco products
• DO NOT wear makeup, body lotion or perfume
• DO NOT bring valuables such as cell phones, credit cards, money, wallet, etc.

Day of Surgery

Schedules are subject to change at any time up to and including the day of your procedure. Due to unforeseen circumstances (emergencies), your procedure may be delayed on the day of surgery. We will make every effort to keep you informed of any delays.

Parking Information

• Vineland: Free parking lot in front of the main entrance. Free Valet parking is available (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday)

• Elmer: Parking lot directly across the street from the main entrance

• Mullica Hill: Check-in at the front desk in the lobby where you will be directed to the next area

Pre-Operative Area

Your procedure will start in the Same Day Surgery Unit at Elmer and Vineland and the Pre-Recovery Area in Mullica Hill. There will be forms and consents to sign (in addition to those you have already signed). When you arrive, your nurse will perform a health assessment on you including an inspection of your skin in preparation of your surgeon marking your site of surgery with a special marker  (Ex: Right Hip). Please do not be alarmed; this is done for your safety and is required before you have your procedure.

Operating Room Suite

The temperature of the operating room is cooler than other areas to help with infection control. Multiple members of your surgical team will be attending to you at the same time. This is a normal process to ensure your safety and comfort. FOR YOUR SAFETY, multiple members of your surgical team will be verifying questions that were previously asked.

Visitor Information

Please remain in the Surgical Waiting Area for updates regarding your family member/loved one. If you must leave the surgical area, please inform the waiting area desk personnel. To protect patient privacy, the surgeon may ask to speak to you in a private consultation room.

• Please do not visit if you are ill.
• Two visitors accompanying a patient are permitted.
• Children must be under supervision at all times.
• At times, we may be busy. Please be patient while your loved one receives care.
• For short procedures, such as pain management, endoscopy, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, etc., a family member/legal guardian must remain on the hospital premises.

Amenities while you're waiting for your loved one's procedure include:

• Meditation room (all denominations welcome)
• Private consult room
• Eateries and vending machines
• Gift shops
• Free valet parking from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (Vineland)
• Busing service (Vineland and Mullica Hill)
• Walking Track (Vineland)

After Surgery/Procedure 

Our team will monitor you until the sedation wears off. Your nurse will assist you with your comfort level and pain control. Recovery time is based on the type of procedure and the anesthesia given, as well as the individual patient. Two family members/caregivers will be permitted to accompany a child in the recovery room. Caregivers will be permitted to visit their family/loved one in the recovery room for a short period of time (15 minutes).

Discharge 

All patients receiving sedation MUST have an adult available to drive them home and an adult to remain with them for the first 24 hours after discharge from the hospital.

• Prior to discharge:
  • Vital signs will be monitored 
  • IV will be removed 
  • Discharge instructions will be reviewed and signed by the designated person responsible for the patient, which includes: 
  • Postoperative care 
  • Follow-up instructions 
  • Medication and prescriptions 
  • Diet 

If you had a block, PLEASE make sure to take your pain medication at the prescribed time, even if you are not in pain. The block may mask your pain and will ultimately wear off.  

A phone call will be made to your home by one of our nurses within 24–72 hours after your procedure. 

NO DRIVING and NO DECISION MAKING during the first 24 hours after your procedure.