Patient Guide

Thank you for choosing Cabell Huntington Hospital for your surgical procedure. Please read through this information carefully so you will know how to prepare for your surgery. If you have questions about pre-operative instructions, please call your physician.

Pre-registration is required

When you and your doctor determine that surgery is necessary and a date has been set, you must register at the hospital prior to the day of surgery. Any screening tests ordered must be done at that time. Registering and having your testing done three or four days before surgery gives your physician time to review the results of your testing thoroughly.

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Where to pre-register

The Admitting/Registration Desk is in the right-hand side of the lobby as you approach the staircase. Please sign in when you get there. The Registration Desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When you pre-register, you will meet with the surgery coordinator, who will take a brief medical history, review your medications and allergies and give you pre-operative instructions. If you have any questions about pre-registration, please call the surgery coordinator at: (304) 526-2293.

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Pre-admission testing

If you have lab work, X-rays or any other tests to be done before your surgery, this is called Pre-Admission Testing. It is best to plan on having any tests done on the same day that you pre-register, at least four days before your procedure is scheduled. Pre-admission testing is done on the first floor of the hospital, which can be reached by the elevators or the stairs.

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Preparing for inpatient or outpatient surgery

Remember to do the following before your admission:

Talk with your doctor so that you fully understand your surgical procedure. If you have signed your consent form in the doctor's office, please bring it with you to the hospital when you pre-register.
If you take blood-thinners such as Coumadin, aspirin or aspirin products, please inform your doctor.
If you have diabetes, consult with your doctor concerning special instructions regarding insulin.
When you pre-register, please bring your insurance information and any papers your physician has given you.
Complete the Medication Record in your surgery booklet listing all the medications you take regularly, including over-the-counter medicines. Only bring your medications if you are unable to complete the medication sheet or if you are told to do so by your doctor.

The night before surgery:

Do not eat or drink anything, including water or chewing gum, after midnight before surgery unless otherwise instructed by your doctor or the hospital nursing staff.
Take a full bath and wash your hair.
If you experience a fever, cold, sore throat, cough or any change in your physical condition, please contact your physician.

The morning of surgery:

Do not wear any makeup, fingernail polish or toenail polish.
Do not bring any valuables with you, including jewelry, checkbooks or credit cards. Do not bring more than five dollars in cash with you.
If you wear contact lenses, bring your case and solution. Contacts, glasses, dentures or removable partials must be removed prior to surgery. These items will be kept with your clothing and returned to you before discharge.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily stored during your procedure.
If you have a Living Will or Medical Power of Attorney, please bring the original with you. We will make copies to place in your chart.
Bring a favorite toy or blanket for children, along with a complete change of clothes and an extra bottle and diapers, if needed.

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What to expect

The type of surgery you are having and your doctor's routine will determine how your day of surgery will be planned, but most surgeries follow the same general pattern. You will be asked to be at the hospital early in the morning to allow time to adequately prepare for your operation. Please be on time because, on occasion, the timing of your surgery may be moved up or unavoidably delayed.

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Getting to the hospital

Please come into Cabell Huntington Hospital through the main entrance and look to the right of the cafeteria. You will see a bank of elevators at the far end of the lobby.

If you are scheduled to be admitted to the hospital after surgery, and you have pre-registered, please take the hospital elevators and get off on the second floor (Press 2 on the elevator.) Then turn right to go the AM Admissions area.

If you are scheduled to have Outpatient Surgery and return home, and you have pre-registered as required, take the elevators to the second floor (Press 2 on the elevator.) of the hospital and report to the window in the Outpatient Surgery area.

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How long will it take?

It is important to remember that the day of surgery will probably be a long day because you and your family may be feeling some anxiety. The whole process of having surgery, from arrival to departure, will probably take longer than you expect. This is because there are many steps in the process, and each one is necessary to give you the best care on this important day.

After you are called in to prepare for surgery, you may be examined or asked questions by different members of the staff. You may be visited by an anesthesiologist. You will be taken to a waiting area before being brought in to have your surgery, and you will be monitored in the recovery area afterward. Your surgeon has probably given you an estimate of the time the procedure will take, but in most cases this estimate only includes your actual surgery, and may not include all the steps necessary to adequately prepare for and follow up on your procedure. Please be patient, knowing that each step is designed to protect and care for you.

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What happens after I get there?

You will be checked in and asked to change into a gown and remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures and hearing aids. A final check will be done of your medical history and condition by both nursing and anesthesiology staff members. Once you're checked in, a relative or friend may stay with you until the surgery staff is ready for you. At that time, friends or relatives will be asked to remain in the waiting area until you are brought back after surgery. There will be a final brief check prior to taking you into the operating room where anesthesia and nursing staff members will prepare you for the operation.

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What should family members do?

When the patient is called back to the surgery area and family members are asked to go to the waiting area, it is a good idea to ask a volunteer at the second floor information desk for a pager. The pager allows family members to go to the cafeteria for coffee or just walk around and stretch their legs. When the procedure is over and the surgeon wants to meet with the family, the volunteer will use the pager to notify the family. If no pagers are available, it is best to have at least one family member or friend remain in one of the waiting areas on the second floor outside the surgical area in case the physician comes to report on the surgery. If you smoke, use only the designated smoking areas in the greenway across from the Gift Shop on the ground floor or behind the helipad.

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After surgery

If you were given a general anesthetic, you will spend at least one hour in the Recovery Room (PACU) followed by about 90 minutes in outpatient (ambulatory) surgery. After you are safely in the recovery room, your doctor will go to the waiting area and speak with those waiting for you.

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