The Day of Your Surgery

To assist your health care team, please designate one individual as your contact person with whom the health care team may speak with both during and after your surgery.

You and your contact person will be given a privacy identification code number. This privacy code will be given to you upon arrival when you register. This code is used to follow where you are located before, during, and after surgery. This is to protect confidentiality and respect your privacy.

Limit the number of family and friends waiting at the hospital on the day of surgery so that your health care team may focus on caring for you. Only two contact persons may wait with you in the pre-surgery areas. No children under the age of 14 are allowed as visitors.

When to Arrive for Your Surgery

On the day prior to your surgery, you will find out your arrival time by calling the Strong Surgical Center at (585) 275-8256 between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• Patients scheduled for surgery on a Monday should call the Friday before.
• Patients scheduled for surgery the day after a holiday should call on the first working day before the holiday.

Advance Care Directives

Advance Care Directives serve as a means for patients to communicate your wishes regarding future medical care if/when you become unable to make decisions. If you have an Advance Care Directive (Living Will, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, Healthcare Power of Attorney, or Health Care Proxy), bring a copy with you.

If you have questions regarding an Advance Care Directive, please notify the nursing staff so that nurses may discuss this with you.

Comfort

Whether you stay overnight or go home the same day, wear loose comfortable clothing and do not bring any valuables. Leave any large personal items (suitcases, backpacks, pillows, blankets) in your car until you are in your room.

If you go home the same day, your clothes will be returned to you when you are ready to go home. If you stay overnight, your clothes may be given to your contact person or delivered to your room.

What to Bring

• Picture ID
• Glasses and case
• Hearing aid(s)/cochlear implant and case
• Dentures and case
• List of the last time you took your medications
• If you are staying overnight, pack a bathrobe, slippers, and toiletries to leave in your car
• CPAP machine with mask if you have sleep apnea
• Wheelchair, walker, cane, braces, or other ambulatory aide you need for safety

What Not to Bring

• Money, credit cards, debit cards
• Jewelry (wedding band, engagement ring, earrings, nose ring, eyebrow ring, nose ring, tongue ring, bracelets, necklaces, watches, electronics, wallet, hair clips, bobby pins, etc.)
• Any valuables
• Medications
• Drugs or alcohol

Identification

A nurse will confirm your identity by asking your name and date of birth. An ID band will be placed. Confirmation of your identity will be repeated throughout your surgical experience.

An allergy bracelet will be placed on your wrist, if you have an allergy.

Before your surgery, the nurse will review your medical record and complete your surgery teaching.

An IV (intravenous) line will be started for IV fluids and pre-surgery medications.

Waiting Rooms

During your visit at Strong Memorial Hospital, there are two waiting areas for your family. To help maintain a quiet environment we ask that only one or two family members use the waiting room while their loved one is having surgery. No children under the age of 14 are allowed as visitors.

One waiting room is located across from the surgical center in the basement if you are scheduled for ambulatory or observation. Your contact person should wait for you in this area.

The Family Waiting Room located off the main lobby is for family members when patients are admitted to the hospital after surgery. This waiting room offers books, magazines, and board games to help pass the time. Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are provided by Friends of Strong.