If you are requiring surgery, your surgical/anesthetic team at Memorial Hospital will be available to you and your family during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of your surgical experience.

At the time of your preoperative visit, your anesthesia team will talk to you regarding many pertinent aspects of your health. They will inquire about your present surgery, your post surgical and anesthetic history and they will ask questions regarding your past and present medical status. They will want to know about any medications that your are presently taking. Also, they may want to discuss any allergies that you have. At this time, appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests may be requested.

Examples of these are:

• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-Ray
• Blood Work

Your anesthesia team will discuss the various anesthetic options to be considered for your surgery. Your anesthetic team will discuss benefits, advantages, limitations, surgeons preferences, and your personal preference. Patients will be advised to limit, or preferably stop smoking. You will be advised that elective anesthesia is best administered (general or regional) when the patient is not having a concurrent infection of any kind.

Examples of such are:

• Upper Respiratory Infections
• Flu-Type Symptoms like Fever or Chills
• Chest Congestion
• History (Asthma), Etc.

The anesthetic permit will be obtained at this time. Take this opportunity to ask any and all questions that may come to mind. Also, immediate family members if present during this preoperative interview may ask any questions that they may have. The patient will be given oral and written instructions to be NPO. This means that you must not eat or drink anything, not even water or chewing gum, after midnight the night before your surgery. Be advised that if you do eat or drink after midnight your surgery may be canceled or delayed. Special NPO instructions may be given to parents with young children who are to have surgery and these instructions will be dealt with on a one on one basis as the need arises. Also, you may be instructed to take certain medicines the morning of surgery with a sip of water and this would also be dealt with on a case by case basis and the patient will be instructed as needed. Oral and written instructions will be provided.

1. If you drink liquor, beer or wine, stop drinking at least two days prior to surgery.
2. Do not eat or drink anything as reminded earlier after midnight the night before your surgery.
3. If you develop a fever, cold, rash or anything that may be of concern to you call your doctor or the anesthesia department prior to your surgery at 268-2305.
4. Do not drive home after surgery of any kind. Please arrange for someone to pick you up and drive you home.
5. Inquire about any special instructions that you may be concerned about or your family members may be concerned about at the time of your pre-op visit.
6. Bring your advanced medical directive if you have one or make the anesthesia team aware of any Medic Alert bands that you may have at the time prior to surgery.
7. If you smoke, stop or at least cut down prior to surgery and NO smoking after midnight.

Prior to your delivery you will need to obtain and complete various pre-registration forms. These will be given to you at your physician’s office.

When we receive your information we will provide you any additional forms that are needed for your and your new baby's stay. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your packet via the postcard contained in the forms. At this time we will contact your insurance company to verify your coverage and notify you of any financial responsibility to the hospital as a result of this anticipated stay.

For questions about your maternity stay, please contact our Admissions Representative for Maternity Services at 570-265-2191.

On your admission day, every effort is made to provide accommodations in accordance with your personal preference. However, due to volume this is not always possible. If your desired accommodations become available, a transfer may be arranged. In order to provide optimal room and bed placement, please inform us of any disabilities or special needs required for your hospital stay.