Women's Surgery Patient at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Knowing you’re having a surgical procedure can make anyone a little bit anxious and frightened. But if you know what to expect, you may not be as apprehensive. This material contains helpful information about what to expect before, during, and after your scheduled procedure. Please take time to read this material and familiarize yourself with the details. It is important that you follow these guidelines specifically, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

At Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, our staff is dedicated to providing you with quality care in a supportive, caring atmosphere. Your health and comfort are our main concern while you are with us. If there is anything we can do to better serve you, please let us know immediately. Thank you for choosing the women’s surgical services at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center for your health care needs.

PRE-ADMISSION TESTING Pre-Admission Testing is the process for obtaining pre-surgical blood work, diagnostic testing, and a nursing and pre-anesthesia evaluation prior to your procedure. You and your physician may choose to have your pre-surgical testing done on the day of your procedure. However, Pre-Admission Testing is recommended in an effort to prevent procedure delays or cancellations due to abnormal lab or diagnostic results. We have several options to complete your Pre-Admission Testing. For your convenience, our staff may call you to complete the pre-op interview. If your Pre-Admission Testing appointment was not arranged by your surgeon’s office, please call (205) 877-1980 to schedule your appointment.
Please Note: Pre-Admission Testing accepts walk-in patients, but they will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Appointments are strongly recommended.

Women’s Surgical Services Pre-Admission Testing is located in the Women’s Medical Plaza, Suite 502 For questions about Pre-Admission Testing, call (205) 877-5190 or 1-866-215-1812.

On the day before your procedure, a representative from the Women’s Operating Room will contact you to confirm the time you should arrive on the day of your procedure. If you haven’t been contacted by 4 p.m. on the business day prior to your procedure, call (205) 877-5190. Because procedure times are approximate and subject to change, we ask that you provide us with a phone number where you can be reached the morning of your procedure.

PRE-REGISTRATION At Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, we value your time and request your assistance in beginning the admissions process prior to your procedure. You may pre-register via hard copy or online. By completing the steps outlined below, you will help our efforts in providing a smooth and timely admission process. Your cooperation is appreciated. If you have any questions about the registration process, please call (205) 877-2430.
Please Note: If you have already had Pre-Admission Testing done, you will not need to complete this pre-registration process.

To Pre-Register via Hard Copy

Complete the enclosed Pre-Admission Form in its entirety.

Make a copy of your driver’s license and insurance cards.

Return the completed form and copy of driver’s license and insurance cards in one of three ways: In person—deliver to Women’s Admitting located in the lobby of the Women’s Center
By fax—to 205-877-1397
By mail (only if postmarked more than 10 days prior to surgery)

To Pre-Register Online

On-line registration must be completed at least 3 business days in advance of your scheduled procedure to ensure adequate processing time.
To pre-register online, visit the “Online Services” page under the “Our Services” tab on brookwoodbaptisthealth.com.
Once you have read and accepted the terms of the Hospital Pre-Registration Disclaimer, you will be prompted to complete the Hospital Pre-Registration form. Items indicated with a red asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your Pre- Registration until all required fields have been completed.
You will be prompted to provide Patient Information, Admission Information, Spouse or Guarantor Information, Emergency Notification, Insurance Information and Method of Contact.
Click “Submit” once all information has been provided. You will receive an email confirming your Online Pre-Registration if you have provided a valid email address during completion of the online registration.
You will be asked to sign your admission forms the day of your procedure. For your convenience, patients can also visit the Main Admitting office prior to surgery and sign paperwork. The financial clearance process can also be completed at this time.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Please take care of any referrals or pre-certifications that are required by your insurance company prior to the day of your procedure.

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center will bill your insurance carrier on your behalf when you provide us with adequate information. Insurance companies may cover the costs involved with your procedure. However, even though insurance has been filed, you are responsible for payment of the hospital bill.

Patients without insurance coverage for the service rendered will be required to pay a deposit prior to admission, with the balance due within 30 days after receipt of the bill. Financial counseling is available upon request.

You may receive separate bills from medical professionals or health care equipment providers if their services are provided.

PROCEDURE REMINDERS

The Night Before Your Procedure

For your safety, do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your surgery. It is very important that your stomach be completely empty. Your surgery may be canceled if you eat or drink anything—this includes water, gum, candy, mints or use of tobacco products.

Refrain from smoking after midnight before your procedure, and do not smoke the day of your procedure. Refrain from chewing tobacco.

If you are taking daily medications, you will be instructed on which medications to take, if any. Consult your doctor in advance if you have any questions about whether you should discontinue any regularly scheduled medications or aspirin prior to the procedure.

Notify your physician if your medical condition has changed since he/she has seen you or if you develop a fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, or productive cough.

Take a shower washing the entire body the night prior to your surgery. It is especially important to wash the area where the surgery will take place. If you are having surgery in the abdominal area, clean your belly button/navel well with the soap you are given. Let your nurse or physician know if you have any sensitivity to chlorohexidine products.

Do not shave, wax or use depilatory (hair removal) products to remove unwanted hair on the area where your surgery will be performed for 1 week prior to surgery. Any necessary hair removal will be done at the hospital.

The Day of Your Procedure

REMEMBER—Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your surgery. It is very important that your stomach be completely empty. Your surgery may be canceled if you eat or drink anything—this includes water, gum, candy, mints or use of tobacco products.

You are permitted to brush your teeth, but don’t swallow any water.

For your safety, avoid the use of all grooming products containing alcohol such as hairspray, lotions, oils, perfume, cologne, body mist, etc.

Dress in loose-fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes.

Do not wear makeup, wigs, false eyelashes, hairpins, hair extensions, buns or pony tails, and remove all body piercings.

If you wear contact lenses, leave them at home or bring your lens case and storage solution with you so that you can remove your lenses before the procedure.

Arrive promptly at your scheduled time. If you are late, your surgery may have to be canceled or delayed.

Do not smoke the day of your procedure. Refrain from chewing tobacco.

Other Tips

A responsible adult MUST accompany you to the hospital and drive you home after your procedure. For your own safety, you will not be permitted to leave alone, even by bus or taxi.

Please leave all jewelry and other valuables at home.

Procedures Involving Children & Teens

Children and teens must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This individual must remain in the building throughout the patient’s stay.

What To Bring With You

All insurance cards, your driver’s license and method of payment for liabilities*

Co-payment required by your insurance provider

A list of all medications you have taken in the last 30 days and are currently taking and their dosages,* including: Prescriptions

Over-the-counter medicines, including aspirin

Herbal supplements

Vitamins and minerals

Diet pills

Phone numbers of family and friends

C-PAP Machine (including all parts), if it has been prescribed for sleep apnea

Living Will or a medical advanced directive, if you have one*

Personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, deodorant, and other toiletries you desire

Socks, underwear, robe, sleepwear, tennis shoes and slippers

* items to bring with you to pre-admission testing

WHAT TO EXPECT UPON ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL The following is a brief overview of some of the processes you may encounter during your stay with us. Your caregivers will explain all procedures to you prior to performing them.

Admitting When you enter the Women’s Center Lobby, go to the Women’s Admitting area and check in. You will be assigned a pager, which will enable our staff to communicate with you and your family members or friends throughout the day. Please note that your procedure might be canceled if you do not have a responsible adult with you.

Surgical Holding Rooms Once you’ve been admitted, a staff member of Women’s Surgical Services will escort you to the pre-operative area where you will stay until your procedure begins. In this area you can expect the following:

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and provided with non-slip socks.
A nurse will ask about your health history and assess your blood pressure, temperature, and weight.
You will be asked to sign a consent form.
Your surgeon may mark your planned surgical site if it involves an organ or body part that has a right or left side. This information will be used by the surgical team to ensure the procedure is performed on the correct side.
Your nurse will start an IV, which will help prevent dehydration and provide a route for medications.
You may receive an injection or a pill that will make you drowsy prior to being taken by stretcher to the procedure area. Before taking this medication, please empty your bladder, if needed. Because this medication will make you drowsy, you will be required to remain in bed with side rails raised. Should you need assistance, call a nurse to help you.

Any tests or preparations that your physician has ordered will also be conducted at this time if they have not been done prior to your admission to the hospital. They may include: Lab work

EKG (electrocardiogram)

X-rays

Cleaning and clipping the area of your body where the procedure will be performed

Pregnancy test (for female patients of child-bearing age)

You may be asked to wear special hose to help prevent blood clots in your legs.

You may receive several medications during your stay. Most medicines are given intravenously. You will be notified of any medications given to you and any potential side effects that you may encounter.

Family Waiting While your procedure is being performed, your family or friends may wait in the family waiting area located in the Women’s Medical Center Lobby or an assigned patient room. After your procedure, your physician will meet with your family or friends to report any results and your condition. Following are a few ways your family or friends can help our staff stay in touch with them while you are in surgery:

During the procedure, please have them wait in the immediate lobby area. If the nurse or doctor has indicated that they will have time to go to the cafeteria, they should check in with the hostess prior to leaving and on return to the lobby.
The designated family member or friend may be paged more than once during the surgery. The Operating Room staff may call to provide updates during longer procedures.
When the surgery is over, the designated family member or friend will be paged. They may be escorted to a private room for a post-procedure consultation with the surgeon.
After surgery, you will probably spend an hour or more in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room). If your family or friends must leave the lobby during this time, they should notify the hostess desk. When you are ready to leave the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, your family or friends will be paged and notified of next steps.

After the Procedure After the procedure, patients are taken to the Post- Anesthesia Care Unit. The length of time you stay in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit will depend on the type of surgery you have had, physician orders, and your condition.

OUTPATIENT If you are an outpatient, you will be moved to a private room in the Women’s Surgery area following your recovery period. You will be observed to ensure you are tolerating liquids by mouth and your blood pressure and pulse are at levels within normal limits. Depending on your procedure, you may be required to empty your bladder prior to discharge. Your length of stay in the post-recovery area will depend on your procedure. Instructions for your post-procedure care will be reviewed with you and your family member or friend prior to discharge. All patients are required to have a responsible adult present at the time of discharge to drive them home and remain with them for at least 24 hours after surgery. If you are scheduled as an outpatient and your physician decides that further observation is necessary, or that you need more time to recover from your procedure, you may be admitted to the hospital.

INPATIENTFollowing the recovery period, patients who have undergone an inpatient procedure will be moved to a room on one of our patient care floors. When you arrive at your room, your nurse will monitor your vital signs, evaluate your condition, and make you as comfortable as possible. Family and friends can join you in the room once a nurse performs a post-surgical assessment. The length of your hospital stay will depend on the type of surgery you have undergone. Your nurse will advise you of your approximate discharge time on the day of your departure. Please make arrangements to have a responsible adult pick you up within an hour of your designated discharge time. You may receive a visit from a financial counselor before discharge for review of additional documentation.

When you return home, be sure to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your physician and hospital staff. It’s important to follow your physician’s advice for the timing of your follow-up office visit.

PHARMACY Your Prescription for a Strong Recovery. After a stay in the hospital, whether long or short, there are often many instructions to guide your care and recovery once you get home.

Please Note: Your discharge medications and supplies are not included in your hospital bill. Co-pays or payments are processed in the same way as an outside pharmacy. Most prescription and health insurances are accepted.

Talk with your care provider about enrolling in this convenient option for a smooth transition to home after your procedure or hospital stay.

TIPS FOR SAFER SURGERY Millions of people have surgery each year. Every surgery has risks, but we know there are some things we can do to avoid possible complications. What does this mean to you as a patient? Below are some of the steps the doctors and nurses at Brookwood Baptist Health follow in an effort to provide shorter and safer hospital stays for our patients.

To Help Prevent Infection

At Brookwood Baptist Health, we closely follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infection. Here are a few ways we aim to control infection rates:

Antibiotics are typically given about 60 minutes prior to surgery and are stopped within 24 hours, in most cases.
A special soap containing Chlorahexidine (CHG) will be given to you in the pre-admission testing area. You should use it the night before and the morning before surgery to reduce the numbers of bacteria that normally live on the body. If you do not come to pre-admission testing, you can also buy CHG soap at most drug stores or Wal-Mart.
A special soap containing Chlorahexidine (CHG) will be given to you in the pre-admission testing area. You should use it the night before and the morning before surgery to reduce the numbers of bacteria that normally live on the body. If you do not come to pre-admission testing, you can also buy CHG soap at most drug stores or Wal-Mart.

There are other things you should know to help wound healing and decrease the risk of infection. Factors such as smoking, diabetes and certain medications may have an effect on your body’s ability to heal after surgery.

HOW TO HELP WOUND HEALING & DECREASE THE RISK OF INFECTION

Stop smoking at least a week before surgery and while you are healing after surgery.
Do not use a nicotine patch or gum without talking about it with your doctor.
Eat well balanced, nutritious meals.
Drink plenty of water (8, 8-oz. glasses per day) unless you are told otherwise.
Follow the wound care instructions as directed.
Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after taking care of your wound. Do not touch your wound any more than necessary.
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar and take your medicine as ordered.
- Take a bath every day with antibacterial soap.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or use an antibacterial hand sanitizer.
- Do not use hot tubs or get in a swimming pool until your wound is completely healed.
- Make sure to use a clean towel that has not been used before. Do not share towels or washcloths with your family, and do not use a towel that has been used by anyone else.
- Change the sheets on your bed often, at least weekly. If there is any drainage from your wound, change more often.

CASE MANAGEMENT & DISCHARGE PLANNING

Case Management is a program designed to ensure that you will receive the most appropriate and efficient care possible while you are a patient at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. Your case manager is a registered nurse who has advanced knowledge and experience with patients who have health problems similar to yours. The case manager will work with your physician, nurses and other professionals within the hospital to coordinate the services that are provided for you.

Discharge Planning begins when you first meet with your Case Manager or Discharge Planner. This ensures a safe and timely transition to your next level of care. In most cases, you should know your potential discharge day within 24-48 hours of going home. If unsure, ask your nurse or case manager. Should you or your physician choose home health services, outpatient physical therapy, skilled nursing facility services or inpatient rehab, your case manager will assist in making these arrangements. Services may be limited based on your personal insurance benefits. Please call your insurer if you have any questions regarding your coverage.

IN CLOSING When you return home, be sure to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your physician and hospital staff. It’s important to follow your physician’s advice for the timing of your follow-up office visit. Should you have any questions or concerns in the days following your procedure, please call your physician’s office directly.

We hope this booklet has provided you with valuable information concerning your scheduled procedure. Thank you for choosing the women’s surgical services at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center for your health care needs. We strive to exceed your expectations and always provide high-quality care.