Surgery can be an anxious time for families and friends. This web page is intended to provide you with helpful information about the Surgical Waiting Room , the communication process ,post-surgical pain and instructions .Anesthesia is explained in detail.
The Surgical Waiting Room is provided for the comfort of those who must wait for someone in surgery and is located on the first floor, ASU wing. It is open 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is staffed by volunteers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The number of family members or friends for each patient is limited to two (2) so that we may accommodate all our patients' guests comfortably and safely. We ask that all other guests remain in the Main Lobby on the Ground Floor.
Please inform any relatives or friends at home that those who are waiting in the Surgical Waiting Room may phone them from the public phone provided there in order to keep them informed of the patient's progress.
The volunteers who staff the Surgical Waiting Room act as the family's link with personnel in the Opeating and Recovery areas. Their main function is to inform families of the physical whereabouts of the patient; the volunteers are not qualified to answer questions regarding a patient's condition or any other questions relating to the patient's sugery. Please do not ask them for this type of information.
Upon entering the Surgical Waiting Room, a volunteer will ask you your name and also the name of the patient for whom you are waiting. The volunteer will notify you when when the patient goes to Recovery, when the patient is transported to the patient floor, or if the surgeon wishes to speak with you.
Personnel from the Recovery Room will notify the volunteer when the patient is out of surgery. The volunteer will then pass the message to you. From surgery, the patient will be taken to the recovery room, located adjacent to the Operating Rooms, where medical personnel closely monitor the patient's vital signs and condition. The length of time a patient sepends in the Recovery Room can vary from one (1) hour to several hours.
The volunteer is the only person who can inform you of the patient's location. For this reason, it is important that you remian in the Waiting Room or let the volunteer know where you will be if you leave the room. If the volunteer is not present, please keep the Ambulatory Staff informed.
At times when the volunteer is not present, personnel from the Recovery Room will call directly to the Waiting Room. Please pick up the phone if it rings.
Coffee and tea will be provided by the volunteer for those waiting. Refreshments and sandwiches are available from the Hospital Cafeteria located on the ground floor, just below the Ambulatory Services Unit.