The Day Before Your Surgery at Grand View Hospital

While it’s normal to feel nervous on the day of your surgery, you can rest assured—you are in experienced hands at Grand View Hospital. The following are a few simple instructions to follow on the day of your surgical procedure:

Before Leaving Home
Your care starts before you leave home. It is important to follow your physician’s instructions as well as these recommendations:

• Shower or bath
• Thoroughly wash the area of skin where your surgical incision will be made
• Do not put on perfume, powder, oil, lotion, or deodorant
• Dress in comfortable, loose clothing
• Take, or refrain from taking, medications as instructed by your doctor and the nurse in the Surgical Short Stay Unit (SSSU)

What to Bring to the Hospital
The day of your surgery, you need to bring several items with you to the hospital, including:

• Identification cards
• Insurance cards
• Referral forms, if required by your health plan
• A list of all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins, and diet pills.
• A list of allergies you may have to food, drugs, or latex and any sensitivity to adrenaline or epinephrine.
• Any test results, X-rays, consent forms, physical examination forms, or other information your surgeon may have asked you to bring with you.
• A copy of an advance directive document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney.

Arriving at the Hospital 
The day before surgery, a nurse from the SSSU will call you. At that time, the nurse will tell you where and when to report for your surgery.

Ensuring Your Safety 
Shortly after you arrive, a colored wristband will be placed on your wrist for identification. To ensure your safety, staff members will repeatedly ask you:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Name of your surgeon
• Type of surgery you are to undergo
• Any allergies you might have

Although this process may seem bothersome, it is for your own safety.

Before Your Surgery Begins
Before your surgery begins, a nurse will:

• Weigh you
• Escort you to an area to change into a gown
• Review your health status
• Start an IV

Then, a doctor (called an anesthesiologist) will visit you to discuss the medicines you will receive to reduce your pain and increase your comfort.

What Your Escort Needs to Know 
While you are with your nurse prior to surgery, your escort may want to ask:

• How long the surgery will take
• If it is necessary to remain in the hospital
• Where there are appropriate places to wait

Your escort may stay with you until you leave for surgery. Remember, please leave young children with a babysitter.

What is Prohibited at Grand View Hospital?

• Guns, knives, mace, pepper spray, and other weapons are not allowed in the hospital.
• Smoking and alcohol are prohibited for both patients and visitors.

Grand View Hospital is not responsible for personal belongings. Please leave valuables such as credit cards, cash, and jewelry (including your wedding band and engagement ring) at home.