Your Surgery at the Same Day Center
While "ambulatory surgery" is not appropriate for everyone, there are many procedures which respond well to short stays and recuperation at home. Here are just a few of the procedures performed at Hunterdon Medical Center’s Same Day Center or Hunterdon Center for Surgery.
- Arthroscopy
- Biopsy
- Cardiac catheterization
- D & C
- Endoscopy
- Gall Bladder
- Hernia repair
- Hysterectomy
- Laminectomy
- Laparoscopy
- Transfusions
The Ambulatory Testing Center (ATC) performs a full physical and psychosocial assessment of each patient before each procedure. This history is used by all department as they provide your care. Each patient is also visited and assessed by an anesthesiologist.
Same Day Discharge
After you have been prepared for surgery, you will be taken to the Operating Room on a stretcher. As you enter the OR Holding Area you will greeted by a Registered Nurse and an Anesthesiologist. This team of professionals will ask questions pertaining to your medical history, current health status, and the planned surgical procedure. Although you may have heard them before, these questions are routine and provide us with the necessary information to take the best possible care of you. Since you have not had anything to eat or drink intravenous (IV) fluids will be started.
From the Holding Area you will be transported into the Operating Room Suite. Your blood pressure, blood oxygen content, and heart rhythm will be monitored. Anesthesia medications are placed directly into the IV. Often you are unable to remember the experience, but this ensures that you are kept very comfortable while your surgery is being performed.
Once the surgery is complete, you may go directly back to your room, or to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit or PACU.
What About After Surgery?
While in recovery, you will be attended by the staff of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit or PACU. These caring nurses will be with you as you awaken and begin your recovery process. They monitor your vital signs and administer pain medication as you need it. Your surgical site will be checked frequently. And of course, the nurses in the PACU are “specialists” in comfort care! Here at HMC, comfort measures are extended to your family members also, and they are kept informed about your progress.
When you are ready to be released to home, the P.A.C.U. nurses will go over your doctor’s orders with you, answer your questions about diet, medications, and activity limitations during your recovery, and provide you with emergency phone numbers.
It is usual to receive a phone call from the Same Day Center nurse to answer any questions that you have and to ensure that you had a satisfactory experience.
Remember that getting ready for even minor surgery can be unsettling. There are many things to remember as you prepare. Click here for thoughtful guidelines that may make your recovery a little smoother.