Your Surgery at Hunterdon Medical Center
Some surgical procedures require you to be admitted to the hospital, at least overnight, because you need continuous care by a team of healthcare professionals.
You’ll arrive at the Operating Room holding area by stretcher and be greeted by a registered nurse and an anesthesiologist. For your safety you may be asked repeated questions regarding your medical history, allergies, your current problem, and the planned procedure. Since you have not had anything to eat or drink since the night before, an intravenous (IV) will be started to replenish your fluids.
Your anesthesiologist and nurse will transport you to the Operating Room Suite. Once there you’ll be asked to move onto the warm OR bed and you’ll be kept warm with additional blankets. There is continuous monitoring of your blood pressure, oxygen content, your heart rate, and your body temperature. The Operating Room team consists of your surgeon, your surgeon’s assistant, the anesthesiologist, a scrub nurse, and a circulating nurse.
The anesthesia medications are administered through the intravenous lines. An oxygen mask will be near your mouth and nose to give you fresh air while you’re going to sleep. Your anesthesiologist is with you all the time.
When your surgery is complete you will wake up slowly and you’ll be asked to take deep breaths. From the Operating Room you’ll be transported to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
Post Anesthesia Care Unit or PACU is where the monitoring will continue until you are awake. The PACU nurse is at your bedside to assure that you are safe, warm, and that your pain is controlled. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist are available and aware of your progress through this phase of your procedure. Your surgical site will be checked frequently. This process takes about 1 – 2 hours and then you will be returned to your room.
When you are admitted for an overnight stay, the professional staff of health care members will take care of you until you are ready for discharge.
Your family can wait in the Family Waiting Room while the surgery is taking place. Your doctor will visit with your family when your surgery has been completed.
What About After Surgery?
While in recovery, you will be attended by the staff of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. These caring nurses will be with you as you awaken and begin your recovery process. They monitor your vital signs and administer pain medication as you need it. And of course, the nurses in the P.A.C.U. are “specialists” in comfort care! Here at HMC, comfort measures are extended to your family members also, and they are kept informed about your progress.
When you are ready to be released to home, the P.A.C.U. nurses will go over your doctor’s orders with you, answer your questions about diet, medications, and activity limitations during your recovery, and provide you with emergency phone numbers.
Getting ready for even minor surgery can be unsettling. There are many things to remember as you prepare. Click here for thoughtful guidelines that may make your recovery a little smoother.