Surgery Patient Instructions - Riverside Doctors' Hospital
Please read these instructions carefully as you prepare for your visit. It is important that you follow each step.
You will receive a call usually the afternoon before your surgery to give you an arrival time. The time that you are requested to arrive is prior to when your procedure is scheduled.
Since this time is needed to allow us to prepare you for your procedure, it is important that you arrive on time. If you think you will be late, please call our Pre-Op/Post-Op team at 757-585-2025. If you need to cancel or have questions, you must call your doctor's office.
Sometimes we have unexpected delays in our carefully planned operating room schedule. We will try to avoid any inconveniences to you and your family. We will keep you informed as changes occur.
We recommend that you not schedule any other appointments the day of your surgery. In addition, if you have young children, you should make plans for their care on your surgery day, such as having someone pick them up from school.
Medications and Supplements
Discuss your medications with your doctor or surgery scheduler. You may need to stop taking some medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or blood thinners. You also need to tell your doctor about any vitamins and herbal supplements you take. Some of these can interfere with bleeding or healing.
Diabetic patients should ask their doctor for instructions before the day of surgery.
A nurse will call you one to three days before your surgery to go over your medications and health history. We ask that you bring a detailed list of your medications with you on the day of surgery and whenever you seek health care or services.
This list should include the name of the medicine, the dose and frequency (or how often you take it). Riverside offers a free wallet-sized List for Life/MediCard that you can keep and use to list your medications and other important information. To request a free List for Life/MediCard call Riverside Nurse at 757-595-6363 or 1-800-675-6368.
Call your physician immediately if you notice a change in your health between the time you see your surgeon and the day of your procedure, to include skin changes such as rashes, scratches, bruises and sores.
Testing Before Surgery
Your doctor or anesthesiologist may order testing before your surgery. This may include X-rays, EKG or blood tests. Please have your pre-op testing completed one week prior to your surgery but no later than three days before surgery to allow your doctor to review the results.
Riverside offers testing in many locations, including Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg. Most services are available on a walk-in basis. If you want to make an appointment, call Central Scheduling at 757-989-8830 (choose option 2).
Riverside Diagnostic & Surgery Centers
The Day Before Surgery
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY. This includes chewing gum, eating candy and swallowing water when you brush your teeth.
If you are taking medications regularly for heart and lung conditions (such as angina, chest pain, high blood pressure or asthma) or for seizures (such as epilepsy control), we recommend that you continue to take the medications on your usual schedule including your day of surgery. Medications may be taken with a small sip of water. If your physician gives you different instructions, please follow those instructions.
If you have diabetes, you should follow the instructions from your doctor.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages 24 hours before and after surgery. Avoid smoking at least 12 hours before and after your procedure.
If you have not received a phone call from the Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg surgical services team by 3 p.m. the day prior to surgery, please call 757-585-2025.
The Day of Surgery
You must have a responsible adult with you on the day of surgery, to remain at the facility and drive you home after your surgery. We will not allow you to leave alone. For your own safety, do not drive for 24 hours following surgery if you receive general anesthesia or sedation.
Checklist
Medical Papers - Remember to bring any papers your physician or the admissions clerk has asked you to bring. Please bring power of attorney or legal guardianship paperwork if applicable.
Advance Directives - If you have them, please bring a copy for our records.
Medications - Bring a detailed list of the medications you are currently taking including:
- The name of the medicine
- The dose
- How often you take it
- The last time you took it
Medical Equipment
- Bring any inhalers you are currently using.
- Bring any custom-fitted appliances or orthopedic appliances that you will use after surgery. These include collars, lumbar corsets, slings, walking boots, post-op shoes, etc.
Clothing - Wear comfortable, casual clothing. Low-heeled shoes and jogging suits are ideal.
Valuables - Other than your co-pay (if applicable), please DO NOT BRING VALUABLES (money, credit cards, checkbook) with you. The hospital accepts no responsibility for the possible loss of these items.
Jewelry - Please do not bring jewelry with you on the day of surgery. Remove all jewelry including wedding rings and body piercings. Glasses/ contact lenses/ hearing aids - Please remove your contact lenses, glasses and hearing aids before surgery and give these items to the person accompanying you. Please remember to bring storage cases for glasses or contact lenses.
Makeup/ Fingernail Polish - Remove all makeup and fingernail polish.
Wigs/ Hair Extensions - Wigs may not be worn into surgery.
If Your Child is Having Surgery
If your child is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the hospital to sign surgery consent forms. Please be prepared to stay in the facility until your child is discharged.
Children's checklist for day of surgery
- Favorite toy or blanket - Familiar items will bring comfort.
- Cup or sippy cup
- Bottles - If your child drinks from a bottle, please bring one bottle of formula and an empty bottle for juice to drink after he/she comes back from the postanesthesia care unit ("recovery room"). Nursing mothers may nurse as usual.
- Extra diapers
After Your Surgery
After returning from surgery, you will remain in the hospital until you are ready for discharge. We will offer you beverages and crackers when you awake and are able to tolerate them.
We will not permit you to drive yourself home after receiving anesthesia. It is not safe for you or others. Please be sure to make arrangements with an adult 18 years or older to transport you home.
For your safety you should also make arrangements for someone to be home with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
You should not drive or drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after discharge. At the time of discharge, you might still feel drowsy.
If You Are Being Admitted After Surgery
A member of your care team will notify your family or significant other when you arrive in the postanesthesia care unit and when you receive your room assignment. If family members are unable to be at the hospital, they may call 757-585-2200 for a status report.
To protect your privacy, please provide those family members or friends with a 'secret password' of your choosing. We will ask callers for the password before we release any information about your status.
Before You Leave
Please be certain you understand your physician's instructions. Your nurse will review physician discharge instructions to include medications, diet, and rest requirements. You will also receive a written copy of these instructions.
At Home
If you experience difficulties or complications once you return home, please contact your surgeon. If you cannot reach your surgeon at his/her office or have any questions, call the Riverside Operator at 757-594-2000 and ask them to page your surgeon. Riverside Nurse is also available to answer your questions at 757-595-6363 or 1-800-675-6368.
After a few days, you may receive a questionnaire from our customer service partner. Please take a few minutes to complete it. This is an important part of your after care which helps us help you.
Quick Reference Telephone Numbers
Central Scheduling
757-989-8830 (option 2)
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg
757-585-2200 - Main Number, 24 hours a day
757-585-2025 - Surgical Services, Monday - Friday: 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Endoscopy Suite
The surgical services suite at Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg includes a procedure room that allows us to perform a variety of procedures on-site:
Pulmonary procedures
The equipment available at our hospital is some of the safest and most technologically advanced endoscope processing equipment available today. We have also designed work areas to streamline workflow to increase efficiency.
Joint University
An educational program for those undergoing joint replacement
Thank You
We are honored that you have put your trust in us for your surgical procedure. We will do our best to provide a warm, relaxing atmosphere, with special focus on the things we know are most important to patients, their families and loved ones:
Family-Focused Waiting Area
Our technology in the waiting room allows you to "follow" your loved one through their surgical experience by providing accurate real-time updates of their progress.
Integrated Technology
Your care team will coordinate all care through our fully integrated electronic medical record. This system includes important safety features like checklists and alerts as well as time-saving extras that allow care providers to spend more time with our patients.
Large Private Rooms
You'll receive care before and after surgery in large, private rooms that better accommodate visits from family and friends.
Nurse Call
Our nurses carry special phone devices that are also integrated into the hospital's technology, allowing them to respond to your needs more efficiently.