When You Arrive at the Hospital for Surgery

Hello, my name is Danielle and I work in the Patient Registration department. The first
stop on the day of your procedure will be to our area, located near the main entrance
of the Hospital. You will be greeted by one of our Administrative Assistants who will
enter your name on our daily sign in log. She will then direct you to the next available
Registrar to complete your paperwork. The Registrar will review your demographic information
with you and obtain copies of your photo ID and insurance card. She or he will also review
insurance documents with you and ask for your signature. This process usually takes no more
than 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
Hi, welcome to the surgery waiting area. This is your next step after registration. First,
we’ll check you in on the computer to let the pre-op area know you’re here for your
surgery or procedure. As soon as we receive the pre-op room number, I will then take you
back to that area to meet the pre-op staff. In most cases, your family member or friend
can go back to the pre-op area with you. I will explain the family tracking system to
the person waiting for you. Using this screen and your assigned PIN number, they’ll be
able to track your progress from pre-op to the operating room and into recovery. It’s
very important your friend or family member checks in with the Surgical Information Volunteer
to let them know they’re here waiting for you.
Hello, my name is Jack, and I’m a volunteer at the Surgical Information Desk. I’m here
to keep your loved ones informed of your progress during your surgical procedure. When your
procedure is about to begin, your family will be directed to the waiting area, and will
be asked to register with me. I want to know they’re here waiting for you so I can help
the doctors and nurses find them when they have an update on your condition. During the
procedure, your family member, significant other, or friend will also be able to follow
your progress using the large computer screen on the wall. I will explain how it works to
your family members. I’ll also talk to them about the anticipated length of time for your
procedure and what they can do while they’re waiting based on that time frame.
Unless he has to go immediately into another operating room, your doctor will make every
attempt to come to the waiting area after your procedure to discuss your surgery with
your family. If he is able to meet with your family, he will call and ask me to take your
family members into one of the private consultation rooms, where he will join them. If he is unable
to come to the waiting area, he will have the nurses in the recovery area call to update
your family. Either way, your family will be kept informed of your condition.
During your recovery period, your family will be understandably anxious to see you; however,
for the most part, family members do not go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. This is
an Infection Control policy for your safety and the safety of the other patients. Some
exceptions may be granted for special situations.
After you’ve had time to recover from the anesthesia, your family members will be directed
either to your room, if you are being admitted or to the discharge area if you are being
sent home, whichever option your physician has chosen.
We know having a family member in surgery is a stressful situation. As surgical information
desk volunteers, we’re here to make your family members as comfortable as possible
while they wait.