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Before Surgery
Your doctor's office or Tempe St. Luke's pre-operative nurse will call you with specific instructions to prepare you for your procedure. Please review the following as it will be your guide to a positive patient experience at Tempe St. Luke's. For your safety, it is very important to follow all of these instructions. If you fail to follow your pre-op instructions, it may be necessary to postpone your surgery.
An example of surgery instructions would include no eating or drinking after midnight prior to your procedure (this includes chewing gum and mints). Your surgery may need to be postponed if you do not follow pre-operative instructions.
Most types of surgery require pre-surgery testing. If possible, these tests such as lab work, X-rays, or an EKG, should be completed at least three days before your procedure so your doctor will have time to review the results before your operation. Please bring your insurance card when you come to the hospital for any pre-surgery testing.
If you are unable to keep your appointment for surgery, please notify both your physician and the hospital as soon as possible. You may contact our Surgery Scheduling Department at (480) 784-5627.
Day of Surgery
On the day of surgery, please arrive 90 minutes (1-1/2 hours) prior to your scheduled procedure. You may park in the parking lot located in front of the main entrance. Enter Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital through the main entrance and report to the Admitting Department/Registration in the main lobby. When you come to the hospital, please follow these guidelines:
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
- Leave all jewelry, money and other valuables at home.
- Remove all body jewelry, this includes all piercings.
- Bring appropriate storage for personal items such as dentures, contact lenses, hearing aids, and prostheses. We will label these items and keep them in a safe place during your procedure.
- Arrange for someone to pick you up after surgery. Due to the effects of anesthesia, you will be unable to drive yourself home.
- Visitors under 18 years will not be allowed into the pre-operative area.
- One adult can be present in the pre-operative area with you on the day of the procedure.
When you arrive in the pre-operative area, the nurse will ask you to:
- Sign three consents (procedure, blood and anesthesia consents)
- Review your medical and surgical history
- Review your current medications
- Provide appropriate tasks as they relate to your procedure
Post Surgery or Post Operative Care Unit (PACU)
After your procedure, you can rest and recover in the PACU until your medical team determines you are able to go home. The length of your stay in PACU is determined by multiple medical factors and will vary with each patient.
When it is time to be discharged home, your nurse will give you specific instructions that may include diet, activity, follow-up and prescriptions.
Our surgery staff is committed to making this a positive experience at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. We encourage you and your family to ask questions.This will help you to feel more comfortable while you are at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital and assist you in being prepared for recovery once you are discharged home.
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