Surgery Instructions for Newton Hospital
Pre-Anesthesia Screening
- Your phyisician's ofice will give you instructions on scheduling your Pre-Anesthesia Screening appointment. This interview with a Pre-Anesthesia Screening nurse is to discuss any health problems you've had or currently have.
- Please have the Pateint Pre-Aneshesia Questionnaire that was given to you at your doctor's office completed and available for your interview. Please complete both pages of the questionnaire.
- The Pre-Anesthesia Screening nurse will advise you if any preoperative testing at the hospital is needed. If so, the nurse will schedule your appointment. You will be asked to bring a picture ID, insurance card and any identification cards for implanted devices, e.g., a pacemaker.
The Day Before Your Surgery
- Between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., please call the Pre-Anesthesia Screening Department at (973) 579-8449. You will be given a time to arrive at the hospital.
- You will be asked to arrive two hours prior to your scheduled surgery time.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes candy, gum, mints, and water.
- If you take a shower at night, use antibacterial soap. Do not shave the operative area or use any hair removal products near the area.
- Please do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages.
At Home On The Day Of Your Surgery
- If you take a shower in the morning,use an antibacterial soap. Do not shave the operative area or use any hair removal products near the area.
- Do not use lotions, colognes, powders, or deodorants.
- Do not wear makeup or dark colored nail polish.
- Remove all body piercings and jewelry.
- If you wear dentures, do not use denture adhesive.
- Wear loose comfortable clothing.
- Do not wear contact lenses.
- Leave all valuables at home.
What To Bring To The Hospital
- If you have a pacemaker/internal cardiac defribrillator or cardiac stent, please bring a copy of the ID card(s).
- Insurance card.
- Form of ID such as driver's license or passport.
- Insulin if you normally take it in the morning.
- Inhaler(s) if you use them.
- A list of your medications.
- A responsible adult (18 years or older) who will sign your discharge instructions and drive you home. A taxi driver, bus driver, or limousine driver can not serve as a responsibile adult if this is your transportation home. We strongly recommend that the responsible adult remain in the hospital in order to be able to speak to the doctor after your surgery.
Arriving At The Hospital Day Of Surgery
- Please park in the Visitor Parking area and enter the Hospital through the Main Entrance.
- If you were seen in person by the Pre-Anesthesia Screening Nurse at Newton Hospital, go directly to the Ambulatory Surgery Department.
- If you were not seen in person by the Pre-Anesthesia Screening nurse before your surgery, report to the Admitting Department.
What To Expect
- For your safety, you will be asked the same questions repeatedly by different staff and physicians.
- You will have special stockings to wear into surgery.
- Your clothing wll be placed in a bag and given to the responsible adult who came with you to keep until you are ready for them again.
- Women of childbearing age will be asked to give a urine specimen upon arrival to Same Day Surgery.
After Your Surgery Procedure
- We highly recommend that someone remain with you for the first 24 hours after discharge from the hospital.
- You can not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make important legal/personal/business decisions for the first 24 hours.
- You will receive other discharge instructions specific to your procedure.
- A responsible adult (18 year or older) will need to sign your discharge instructions and drive you home. We strongly recommend that the responsible adult remain in the hospital in order to be able to speak to the doctor after your surgery. A taxi driver, bus driver, or limousine driver can not serve as a responsible adult if this is your transportation home.