Same day surgery

• A pre-admission testing nurse will call the day before your procedure with your confirmed arrival time.
• Your arrival time is 1.5 to 2 hours prior to your estimated procedure start time. This gives us time to prepare you for your procedure.
• Be aware that waiting times are variable and depend on many factors. We understand that your time is important, and we will do all that we can to minimize delays and keep you updated.
  • You may want to bring a book or other items with you in the event of an unexpected wait time.
  • As much as we try to mitigate wait times, occasionally there is an emergency or another procedure takes longer than expected. We strive to put our patients first always and give them the care they need right away.

• A pre-admission testing nurse will also discuss your medical history, current medications and any questions you might have regarding your surgery. Be sure to have your most current medication list with names and dosages ready.
• We will give you specific instructions and let you know what medications to take the day of your procedure.
• We will verify you have completed all the required clearances prior to proceeding with surgery. This may include a recent office visit with your primary physician, cardiology, lab work, EKG, chest x-ray, etc. This will help prevent any unnecessary delays or cancellation of your procedure.
• Pre-Admission Testing Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Our numbers are 308.568.8643 and 308.568.7681. We are frequently on the phone so please leave a message if we don’t answer and we will call you back.

• You develop an illness or infection such as the flu, cold, fever, etc.
• You are started on an antibiotic by someone other than your surgeon.
• You have an open sore, rash, or skin irritation.
• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

It is important to get instructions regarding medications from your surgeon, primary care physician and/or cardiologist. It is important to hold some medications including certain blood thinners. It is important to continue taking your other prescribed medications as prescribed. Follow your physician's instructions regarding what medications need stopped and when.

• Campus map
• Check in at the front entrance of Great Plains Health.
• The front entrance opens at 5 a.m. If your given arrival time is prior to this, you must check in through the Emergency Room.
• Once you enter, go to the registration desks to your left. The registration staff will ask a few questions, place a name band and show you where to go next.
• Once you are checked in, the staff in the Pre-op area will be informed of your arrival.

• Insurance cards, photo ID, advanced directives (if not already on file).
• CPAP/BIPAP machine for sleep apnea. You may need to use the machine after surgery when you are waking up.
• Inhalers.
• Leave any money or valuables including all jewelry at home.
• If your surgeon has given you a walker, crutches, walking boot or brace, please bring them with you to the hospital.
• Please bring your overnight bag if you are expected to stay the night in the hospital.

• Wear loose fitting, clean, comfortable clothing.
  • If your surgery is on your head, neck, arms or shoulders, wear a button up shirt that doesn’t need to be pulled over your head.
  • If your surgery is on your abdomen, wear loose fitting pants with an elastic waist.
  • If your surgery is on your feet or legs, wear loose fitting pants with a wide leg.
• Dentures, partial dentures, hearing aids, glasses and contacts will all need removed prior to surgery. We encourage you to leave them at home, otherwise we will keep them in a safe place after removal.
• Please remove any jewelry and piercings. If you are unable to remove any jewelry or piercings, please notify your pre-op nurse.

• Eating and Drinking
  • Please do not eat or drink anything AFTER MIDNIGHT the night before your procedure, unless instructed differently by your pre-admission testing nurse. This includes water, chewing gum, mints, candy, throat lozenges, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products.
  • You may brush your teeth the day of surgery, but do not swallow any toothpaste or water.
  • It is important you follow these instructions so your surgery won't be cancelled. Food in the stomach can cause serious complications during anesthesia.
• Medications
  • Follow the instructions from your pre-admission testing nurse and physician regarding which medications to take the day of the procedure.
  • We typically have you take your heart medications, anti-reflux medications, thyroid medications and inhalers.
  • You may take the medications we discuss with you with a small sip of water.
• Ride Home
  • We require you to be accompanied by a responsible individual who can drive you home. We also recommend someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not have a ride.
  • This person should also be present for your discharge instructions, due to the effects of anesthesia.
  • If your child is having surgery, at least one parent or guardian must remain in the facility at all times.
• Bathing
  • For infection control purposes, please bathe or shower before your procedure. Follow any specific instructions regarding bathing from your surgeon's office.
  • Do not shave or use any lotion or perfumes near the surgical site.

• We ask you have no more than two guests at a time in your pre-op room before surgery.
• If possible, we encourage you to leave small children at home. This is a time for rest and healing.
• Consultation Rooms
  • We will have a consultation room for your loved one to wait in during surgery.
  • The nurses will give frequent updates. There is also a communication board in the consultation room that updates automatically.
  • We request your loved one to be in the consultation room when surgery is complete so the surgeon can find them easily and speak with them.
  • There is complimentary coffee and drinks available. The cafeteria is also nearby for snacks when needed.

• In the pre-op area, we will have you change into a patient gown, removing all clothing and undergarments. We will place your belongings in a locked locker room once you go back to surgery.
• Your pre-op nurse will ask questions, take your vital signs, have you sign a consent, place an intravenous catheter (IV), draw any ordered lab work and do an EKG if ordered.
• Your nurse will hook your gown up to a warming unit to keep your body warm prior to surgery. Keeping the body at a normal temperature before, during and after surgery helps to reduce the incidence of infection and other risks of surgery.
• Your nurse may apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) or Ted Hose to prevent blood clots.
• Your surgeon, anesthesia provider and operating room nurse will all come in to see you prior to surgery. Be sure to ask any questions you may have.

• From the pre-op room you will be taken into the operating room (OR). There will be bright lights, instruments and equipment in the room. The OR is usually cold, so let your nurse know if you need extra warmth.
• A time-out exercise will be performed by everyone in your OR to be sure we are performing the correct surgery on the correct patient.
• Your anesthesia provider will continuously monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, oxygen levels) and your respiratory status during surgery to prevent any complications.

• After your surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or recovery room. Depending on your type of anesthesia you may go directly to the dismissals area.
• While you are first waking up, you will be monitored closely and given oxygen if needed.
• Pain
  • We want you to be as comfortable as possible. With any surgery, it is not possible to be 100% pain free. We will reduce your pain as much as possible by using a pain scale, giving pain medication when appropriate and checking your pain levels frequently.
  • Options for pain control may include oral medications, IV pain medications or a nerve block. We may also use alternative methods such as ice, heat or relaxation techniques to help with pain control.
  • Depending on your type of surgery, you may be sent home with a pain prescription to pick up from your pharmacy.
• Discharge
  • Be sure you have an adult drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
  • You will not be permitted to leave alone if you have received General Anesthesia or certain medications.
  • You will be discharged from the hospital when you are ready and have met certain criteria.

This type of anesthesia produces an unconscious state. It is produced by injecting medication or by inhaling anesthesia gases with oxygen. Frequently, a breathing tube will be inserted either through the mouth or the nose into the windpipe to aid in managing breathing. Occasionally, a sore throat may be present following the procedure.

The doctor may request physiologic functions to be monitored and sedation be provided while a diagnostic procedure or operation under local anesthesia is performed. This monitoring helps to ensure your safety during the procedure. It may be necessary to give you medicine through a vein to help you to relax or relieve discomfort. If sedating medicine is given, there is often a loss of memory for the procedure.

This type of anesthesia is produced by injecting medicine through a fine needle which is inserted in the back into the spinal canal or just outside the spinal canal. The medicine causes a temporary numbness and inability to move the muscles of the lower half of the body. Local anesthetic is used to numb the skin where the needle is inserted so that the procedure usually produces very little pain or discomfort. Occasionally, the anesthesia produced by this technique is not completely satisfactory. When this happens, another type of anesthesia may become necessary.

This type of anesthesia is produced by injecting medicine near nerves so that the area to be operated on is without feeling for a few hours. Local anesthetic is used to numb the skin so that the injection usually causes very little discomfort. Occasionally, the anesthesia is not completely satisfactory so that another type of anesthesia may be necessary.