Day Surgery

Welcome
In the Virginia Regional Medical Center's Day Surgery Center, you may have your minor surgery or non-surgical procedure requiring anesthesia and return home the same day.

For you this means a lower bill because you need not stay overnight in the hospital.  It also means less time away from your family, home, and work.  In fact, your family can stay with you during much of the pre-surgery and post-surgery recovery time.

Because the Day Surgery Center is located at the hospital, we promise that you will receive the same quality care and excellent medical services as patients who stay overnight.  Also, you are assured of full hospital backup in the event of unexpected complications.

Patient Instructions

1. Do not eat of drink anything after midnight.  Please take your morning dose of heart, blood pressure, or sezure medicine with a sip of water.
2. Leave valuables at home (purses, wallets, money, jewelry).
3. Wear loose clothing.
4. You may not drive yourself home.
5. Bring all reports you received from your physician with you to surgery.
6. Your scheduled time for arrival is for admitting.  It is not your surgery time.  Occasionally, there will be delays (i.e., emergencies, surgery taking longer than anticipated).  The surgery staff will inform you and your family of any delays.
7. For arrival time, call the Surgery Department at 218-749-9457 the day before surgery between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday - Friday.  If scheduled on a Monday, please call the Friday before.
8. Bring a list of current medications and dosages
9. If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, notify the nursing staff.
10. If you use a CPAP or breathing machine at night, please bring this with you in case your visit would require an overnight stay.

The Day Before
You may eat a normal meal the evening before your surgery.  For your safety, it is absolutely essential that you not drink or eat anything, including water, after midnight regardless of the type of anesthesia you will have.  When brushing your teeth, be careful not to swallow any water or toothpaste.  It is important that your stomach be empty.  If it is not, your surgery may be cancelled and rescheduled at another date.

Be sure to follow any additional instructions your physician may give you.

You may take heart, seizure or blood pressure medication with a sip of water.

What To Bring:
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring a case for their safekeeping.  Denture containers will be provided for any removable dentures or bridgework.

Please leave all valuables (purses, wallets, rings, watches, credit cards, money, etc.) at home.  This is to prevent accidental loss.  VRMC is not responsible for lost valuables.

Dress comfortably.  Casual clothing is the best for your personal comfort.  Since you will possibly have blood samples drawn, it is suggested you wear a loose shirt or blouse with sleeves that can be easily pushed up over your elbow, or removed if necessary, for tests.

Be sure to bring with you any blood work reports or diagnostic studies your physician gives you.  Also bring your insurance information and any other medical assistance information you may have.

Removal of body piercings is essential.  Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your procedure.

Upon Admission
Please report to the Patient Services desk located in the Hospital's main lobby at the appointed arrival time.  Because surgical times are unpredictable and may change, please call the Surgery Department the day before your surgery at 749-9457 to verify arrival time.

Once you've been admitted, you and your accompanying family will be directed to the Surgery Waiting Room where you will comfortably wait to be called by a member of the Day Surgery staff when they are ready for you.

When you are called for surgery, you will be escorted to the Day Surgery area where you will change to surgical clothing and be made comfortable in a private area.  One family member may remain with you.  We ask that others wait in the waiting room.  There is a private consultation room for your surgeon and family to use in the waiting room.

After you have changed to surgical clothing, you will be admitted by the Day Surgery staff, then transported to the holding area.  You will be visited by your surgeon and/or a member of the anesthesia and surgery staff.  Your anesthesia and surgery will be reviewed with you.  If you have any questions, please know that you can ask your surgeon or a member of the surgery staff for more information.

At this time, the surgery or anesthesia staff may begin administering medications through an IV hookup.

When your surgeon and the surgery staff are ready for you, you will be moved to the surgical suite.

Following surgery, you will be moved to the Primary Recovery Room if necessary or directly to the Secondary Recovery Room.

After a determined period of recovery time, one member of your family may join you in the Secondary Recovery Room.  You will be given juices, pop, and other nourishments while you are recovering.

Going Home
You MUST NOT drive home from the hospital.  Make arrangements in advance for transportation by a responsible adult that can see to your safe arrival into your home.

Some patients may require a longer hospital stay.

The Day Surgery nursing staff will continue to monitor your recovery and give you instructions for your convalescence at home.  Again, if you have any questions, the nursing staff will be happy to discuss your questions with you.