Please arrive at hospital on time and check in with receptionist
Your family or visitor may wait with you before your surgery. They will be directed to the waiting area during your surgery. Dr. McMorrow will talk to your family or visitor after the surgery
- Two visitors per patient are allowed to sit with you
- No children under the age of 12 are allowed in the department
- Dr. McMorrow, your anesthesiologist and operation room nurse will see you prior to surgery
Hospital Stay
After your surgery, you will go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
After recovery, you will be admitted to a hospital room
Your pain level will be monitored and pain medication adjusted as needed
You will have ice chips and liquid diet until you are ready for solid food
You will remain in bed and a call bell will be provided. Do not get out of bed without assistance. After surgery, you have a greater risk of falling. Please make sure to call for assistance. As you recover, your activity level will increase. However, always call for assistance if you are unsteady or uncertain about your capability.
A nurse or respiratory therapist will give you an incentive spirometer and show you how to use it. Please use the incentive spirometer every 2 hours. Take the incentive spirometer home with you and continue to use for 2 weeks post operatively.
You will be seen by Dr. McMorrow, your anesthesiologist, residents and physician assistants while in the hospital.
Write down questions to ask the providers when they visit your room.
You may be seen by physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and dietary. Please make use of this opportunity to discuss concerns for care, mobility, and equipment needs at home.
When appropriate, you will be allowed to shower. Please ask for assistance and anticipate needs at home for showering and hygiene.
Discharge Planning
While in the hospital, our team will evaluate your needs for discharge. We want to provide a safe environment for discharge. The following goals are benchmarks for a safe home discharge plan.
- Getting in and out of bed
- Moving from sitting to standing
- Walking independently or with an assistive device (cane or walker)
- Accessing the needed areas of the home with adequate endurance
- Going up and down the number of stairs needed to access home
- Dressing, bathing, personal hygiene
- Simple meal preparation
Please make sure you have necessary durable medical equipment prior to discharge. Some equipment that may be helpful are the following:
- Dressing stick and Reacher
- Long-handled bath sponge
- Long-handled shoehorn
- Sock aides
- Raised toilet seat
- 3 in 1 commode
- Walker or cane
Family and friends can be helpful to assist with your level of need at the time of discharge, including driving you home. If you live alone, you may want to have family/friend stay overnight upon discharge.
If you do not meet these goals, we will help you make arrangements for Rehab or Skilled Nursing Facility. At the facility, you will receive nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The average length of stay is 7 to 10 days. A social worker will assist you to select a facility. If you anticipate a need prior to admission, you may contact facilities to ask questions or schedule a tour. Please consider options prior to admission. Consider Monroe County facilities or research areas in your community.
Please check with your insurance carrier to see if you have Rehab or Skilled Nursing Facility coverage. All patients must have a need for Rehab or Skilled Nursing Facility placement, which is determined after your surgery.