Reception Area
BEFORE the patient goes into the Operating Room (OR) The nurse will escort the patient to:

• Change clothes
• Sign consents
• Talk to an anesthesiologist
• Start an IV
• Receive lab work or other testing

When the patient is ready for surgery, one or two friends or family members may stay with the patient until the patient goes to the Operating Room.

DURING Surgery

• When you arrive at the hospital the concierge in the lobby will direct you to the first floor waiting area where you will check in and receive a Family Pager.
• Our Family Liaison will be making frequent visits to the waiting room and can address any questions or concerns you might have. The Liaison phone number is 5629 from an in-house phone, or the Front Desk staff can contact the Liaison for you.

AFTER Surgery
Most patients are not ready for visitors in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). If the PACU stay is longer than 2 hours, or for special circumstances like language interpretation or for patients who are minors, the Family Liaison or the Front Desk staff may arrange a visit pending approval from the nurse. PACU visiting is determined not only by the condition of your loved one, but also by other events in our open room. All visitations for a particular patient are at the discretion of the nurse charged with his/ her care. We ask that visits be limited to 5 minutes.

For those with a loved one staying at the hospital
We will not have the patient’s assigned room number until shortly before he/she is ready to the leave the PACU. The Family Liaison or the front desk staff will tell you the room number.

For those with a loved one going home after surgery
The nursing staff may contact you for a brief visit to listen to the postoperative care instructions. You will be told when it is appropriate to get the car. At this time, you should bring your vehicle to the driveway on 23rd Street, park, and tell the information desk in the main lobby that you are here to pick up a patient. The staff will call us (or you can use the desk phone) and we will bring the patient to the car.

Waiting for a Cath Lab, Endoscopy or Interventional Radiology Patient

• Family or friends of endoscopy patients will see their loved ones at discharge. Please ask the Family Liaison or Front Desk staff for updates.
• Patients having procedures in the Cardiac Cath Lab will have to stay in the recovery area for three to six hours. See the Family Liaison or Front Desk staff about updates/visitation.
• Post-procedure recovery times vary widely for patients coming from the Interventional Radiology Lab. See the Family Liaison or Front Desk Staff for more information.

After Hours
After the waiting room desk is closed, a courtesy phone will be placed on the desk with a four-digit number to dial for information on postoperative patients.