Bone & Joint Team: Pre-Surgery Checklist

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There are steps you can take to prepare for surgery and the eventual transition from hospital to home.

Two weeks prior to surgery

• Make sure that your pre-admissions testing is complete.
• Review any medications you are taking with your doctor – prescription or over-the-counter – so that you can determine which, if any, you should stop taking.

One week prior to surgery

Getting your house ready for your return after surgery is something you may not think of before surgery. Here are a few things that will make those first days home worry-free:

• Do a whole-house cleaning, do your laundry and put it away, and put clean linens on your bed.
• Do any grocery shopping; pre-cook meals and put them in the freezer.
• Do all your outside work now. Mow the lawn, fix up the garden.
• Call and get your newspaper stopped and have someone pick up your mail.
• If you have any pets, arrange to have someone take care of them.
• Check your house for potential accidents: pick up any throw rugs and tack down any loose carpeting; check hallways for things you may trip on such as electric cords; put nightlights in the bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways.
• Do you have a remote control for the TV? A portable phone? These would be good items to have to make your life easier.

Prepare for the hospital:

• Make sure you double-check your instructions from Holy Family, your doctor, and your insurance provider.
• No alcohol 48 hours prior to surgery.
• Pack for the hospital.
• Pack simply, bringing personal hygiene items, loose fitting clothes, flat shoes. DO NOT pack valuable jewelry, or large sums of cash.

Identify and bring important documents:

• A list of all your current medications.
• Healthcare Proxy or Power of Attorney authorization.

The day and night prior to surgery

• During the day prior – Caritas Holy Family Hospital will call to confirm what time you should plan on arriving. Usually you will be asked to come to the hospital several hours before the surgery for preparation.
• During the night prior – Unless otherwise instructed, do NOT eat or drink anything at all (even water) after midnight. Also, do NOT chew gum or smoke.
  All cardiac medications should be taken with a sip of water the day of surgery. You should check with your doctor regarding this.