Advances in anesthesia and surgical techniques have made it possible for people to have minor surgery and return home within a few hours.  Approximately 65 percent of surgeries in the U.S. are performed as outpatient procedures.  With same-day surgery you are able to settle into the healing process in the comforts of your own home.

Common Procedures

• Arthroscopy

• Breast biopsy

• Cataract removal

• Cystoscopy

• D&C

• Diagnostic laparoscopy 

• Hernia repair

• Orthopedic procedures

• Tonsillectomy

• Tubal ligation

• Varicose vein surgery

 Alleviating Anxiety

We know that minor surgery can cause major anxiety for patients. To help put your fears to rest, we require a preadmission nursing interview for all patients.  We’ll review your medical history and discuss the plan of care for your stay, pain control and discharge planning.  The interview is individualized to meet your specific needs.

We will also give you an opportunity to ask questions.  Knowing what to expect tends to lower your anxiety level.

Your physician’s office will make an appointment for the nursing interview, or you can contact our preoperative coordinator at 338-7355.

Preparing For Surgery

Your physician or the nurse will tell you how long you must fast before surgery. Generally, if you will have general anesthesia, you should not eat or drink 12 hours before surgery. Ask your doctor for instructions concerning your regular medications.

The day of your surgery, wear comfortable clothing. You will be asked to come to the hospital one to two hours before your surgery is scheduled to ensure that you are prepared for surgery.  If you took advantage of the preadmission interview, you will report directly to the Ambulatory Surgery Department on the fourth floor. Otherwise, you will need to go to Patient Registration on the first floor and complete the admission process before proceeding to the Ambulatory Surgery Department.

Once you are shown to your room, the nurse will take your vital signs and complete any necessary preoperative preparations.  The anesthesiologist will visit you to discuss your health history and answer any questions before you are transported to the Operating Room.

After Surgery

After most surgical procedures, you will go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit for observation before you are transported back to the Ambulatory Surgery Unit.  Patients that are having cataracts removed or require only local anesthesia return directly to the Ambulatory Surgery Unit after the procedure is completed.

You will be able to go home after you’ve met specific discharge criteria concerning pain levels, ability to walk, your vital signs and status of your surgical dressings.

You Need Your Rest

Because it is important for you to rest after surgery, we recommend that you limit your visitors to a maximum of two people.  You must have one responsible adult to drive you home from the hospital. For your safety, you cannot drive yourself or use public transportation alone after surgery.  We recommend you arrange to have someone with you, at home, for the first 24 hours.

Before you are discharged, the nurse will answer any questions you have to assist you with your care at home.  A member of the hospital staff will transport you by wheelchair to the hospital exit when you are ready to leave.

On average, the full length of stay for a patient is four to eight hours, depending on the type of procedure. If you have to stay overnight, we can easily transfer you to one of the hospital’s medical/surgical units.

Understanding Your Choices

Patients today have more choices where they go for minor surgery. Our patients put their trust in the hospital.

Even minor surgery has its risks.  But, at the hospital, patients know that we have the technology and a full range of allied health professionals to react to the unexpected. And if our patients need to stay longer than a few hours after surgery, we’re open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

There’s No Substitute For Experience

When you have surgery at Rome Memorial Hospital, you know that the people taking care of you are well trained in what they do. We have staff in the Operating Room, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and the Ambulatory Surgery Unit who have 20 and 30 years of experience.

In addition to their excellent clinical skills, the members of our staff know the importance of going the extra mile to help make your stay as comfortable as possible.  Patients consistently give our Ambulatory Surgery Department excellent marks because of the dedication of our staff.

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