Your Hospital Stay

Before Surgery

On the day of your surgery please report to the Same Day Surgery Waiting room located on the first floor of Highland Hospital.

Enter the hospital through the main lobby, proceed to the Blue Elevators and take them down to the first floor (Floor 1). Follow signs to the Surgery Center. Please arrive on time and check in with the receptionist.

 

Please bring your insurance card and any completed paperwork sent to you.

 

We will keep you informed regarding your surgery time, but sometimes delays are unavoidable. Your surgeon and the anesthesiologist will see you before surgery.

 

Your family or companion may wait with you before surgery and then will be directed to the main lobby. Your surgeon will call the main lobby to speak with them after your surgery is over. Your family or companion will keep your belongings while you are in surgery and can bring your suitcase/personal items to your room after your surgery.

 

Please be advised that two visitors per patient are allowed to sit with you and no children under the age of 12 are allowed in the department.

 

After Surgery

After surgery you will be transferred from Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to your hospital room in a bed. Your family will be notified when you have arrived in your room. This guide provides general information about the neurosurgery process at Highland Hospital. Your physician, nurse or other health care professionals may add or change the recommendations. Always use their recommendations first and be sure to ask questions if any information or instructions are unclear.

• Your nurse will assess your condition and your individualized care plan will be reviewed. Your needs will be monitored through hourly rounding by a nurse or patient care technician.
• Your pain level will be monitored and your pain medication adjusted as needed.
• You will be able to have ice chips and a liquid diet until your nurse assesses that you are ready for solid food.
• A social worker will review your discharge plans.

After your surgery there is a greater potential to fall when you move. We will assist you to move from your bed, chair and while you walk. There is a call bell by each bed to be used to call for assistance.

• Your daily individualized care plan will be reviewed by your nurse.
• Your needs will be met by your nurse and your patient care technician through hourly rounding.
• You will be visited by your surgeon or his/her resident, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.
• Your anesthesiologist may visit you.
• Your patient care technician will assist you to sponge bathe.
• Oxygen will be discontinued, IV fluids will be stopped and your urinary catheter will be removed.
• You will wear white supportive stockings during the day and sequential compressive devices at night.
• You will be sitting in an appropriate chair for at least two hours, twice during the day.
• A physical therapist will evaluate you and assist you to move and walk and provide physical therapy sessions during your stay.
• An occupational therapist will teach you how to bathe, dress and toilet while maintaining precautions.
  • Additional Resource:  How To Care For Yourself After Back Surgery
• The dressing on your incision may be changed.
• A dietician technician will help you with menu choices.
• An environmental services aide will clean your room every day.

 

Pain Management

We understand that you may still have pain after your surgery; this is to be expected.  We want you to know that we are here to work with you to keep your pain controlled so that you can participate in your treatment plan.  In conjunction with you and your Physician, the nurses on the unit will individualize your care to ensure your pain is managed.  Pain is to be expected after a surgical procedure but we are going to do the best job to manage it as quickly and safely as possible!

 

 

Before you are discharged

• When cleared by your surgeon, your nurse will review your discharge instructions.
  We will work with you and your caregiver to assure a timely discharge.  It is important to have a caregiver with you when your discharge instructions are reviewed.
• If you are going to a skilled nursing facility directly from the hospital, a social worker will confirm your discharge plans.
• A home care coordinator may visit you and, if going home directly from the hospital, a physical therapist will provide a therapy session.
• You can have your prescriptions filled at the Highland Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy so they will be ready to take home with you.