Discharge Information

After Your Surgery or Procedure

If you have a surgical procedure, you will go to the recovery room known as the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Your condition will be monitored by a registered nurse and an anesthesiologist. When you are awake and stable, you will be released to go home or to the inpatient care unit if you will require an overnight stay. The hospital staff will notify your family of your room number and direct phone number so they may visit you when you are ready to receive visitors. Your length of stay will depend on the type of procedure and your physician’s instructions. At all times during your inpatient stay, you will have specially trained registered nurses available to provide for your needs and care.

Discharge Planning

Your discharge planning begins at the time of your admission to the hospital. These plans may include: provisions for rehabilitation, assistance with activities of daily living, nursing home placement and other healthcare needs. The Case Manager will be happy to assist you if you have any questions related to preparations being made for your discharge from the hospital. As with all of your healthcare decisions, our Case Manager wants you to be actively involved and, ultimately, to make your own choices with regard to selecting providers of services, supplies and equipment that you may need after discharge. As a patient, you have the right to choose which company or provider of services you will use after discharge from the hospital. Your nurse or the hospital Case Manager will give you information about various options you have when making decisions about after discharge care, however, we are prohibited from selecting a provider of such services for you.

In many cases, your doctor may recommend a specific provider that he/she feels will best meet your needs. In some cases, your doctor may own or have a financial interest in one or more providers. Should this be the case with the provider you choose, and if we are aware of such a business relationship, we will disclose this information to you. Regardless of the provider you choose, we will coordinate with them to ensure your needs have been anticipated and met by the time you are discharged from the hospital.

Discharge Information

On the day of discharge from the hospital, patients should prepare to leave their rooms between 11am-1pm. A member of the hospital’s business office may contact you prior to discharge to ensure all financial arrangements are in order. For your safety because of the sedating effects of medications, if you are having your procedure as an outpatient, you must have a responsible adult drive you home from the hospital. If you have received anesthesia including IV sedation, blocks, spinal, epidural or general anesthesia someone should stay with you the remainder of the day and night. Please follow all instructions given to you by the medical center staff and your physician. If you have any questions, please call your physician.