Preparing for Surgery

Please review this list prior to coming to the hospital and ensure that you have checked off all of the recommendations that you can before your surgery. This will ensure that you arrive at the hospital prepared and that your transition to home is a well-planned and safe transition.

• Choose someone to be your "Coach". Your Coach needs to be able to be with you while you are in the hospital and needs to be with you after you return home. Your Coach will also be your "Personal Trainer" to assist you with your exercises and your therapy routine.
• Arrange for someone to drive you to follow-up appointments and to help with errands during your first weeks following surgery.
• Arrange for someone to collect your mail or place it on hold at the post office.
• Pay bills so they are up to date through a few weeks after your return home.
• If you do not have an Advance Directive, this is a good time to complete one before your surgery. This form will help explain your health care wishes to the health care team and hospital staff. Our Social Services department has the forms for you to complete if needed.
• It is a good idea to have a pre-surgical dental screen/check-up to maintain healthy oral hygiene.
• Put a night light in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways.
• Put frequently used items where they can be reached easily. Set up a "recovery station" with a cordless phone, remote control, medications and everyday essentials.
• Pick a chair to sit in when you return home. A firm chair with arms and a seat height of at least 18 inches or that allows your feet to be flat on the floor.
• Place a rubber mat or nonskid adhesive on the floor of the tub or shower.
• Consider temporary placement of a small pet with a loved one. A pet running around your legs could cause you to fall.
• Clear walkways making sure they are wide enough for your walker.
• Remove throw rugs and electrical cords from walking paths that can cause you to trip and fall.
• Consider preparing and freezing meals in advance that can easily be heated.

In most cases, our patients will schedule a Pre-Op visit prior to their surgery in order to complete paper work, labs and a few other "getting ready" activities. Please review this section before your Pre-Op visit to ensure you know what to expect and are able to bring everything that's needed.

On the date of the pre-op visit,

• Please come to the hospital's outpatient registration desk.
• Bring your insurance card and picture identification with you to register.
• Bring your medications or a list of your current medications.
• A nurse will complete a health assessment. You will be asked questions related to your health history. The nurse will also provide information and instructions related to your upcoming surgical procedure.
• Lab, x-ray and possibly other diagnostic tests will be performed during this visit.
• You will attend Joint Venture Class in our Sidney A Bell Joint Cafe/Education Room.

This is a checklist that you should review the Night Before you are scheduled for surgery. This checklist will allow you to do one last check to make sure you have everything needed before coming to Redmond.

• Put clean sheets on your bed
• Bathe using your toiletries
• Do not shave your legs
• After 2 hours from your bath, wash with the Chlorhexidine Cloths provided to you at your preoperative visit. Use the cloths as instructed during your preadmission visit and at Joint Venture Class
• Remove all jewelry and leave valuables at home
• Remove all make up, nail polish, acrylic nails, hair barrettes and bobby pins
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight

Pack:

• Your allergy list
• Your medications in their bottles from your pharmacy
• Loose fitting pajamas or short night gown and short robe if desired
• Undergarments
• Loose shorts, jogging suit, sweats, tops
• Slippers with backs and rubberized sole or walking shoes with Velcro closures or elastic shoe laces
• Socks
• Glasses, dentures, hearing aids and batteries
• Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, denture cleanser/cup, deodorant, electric or other razor, shaving cream, comb)
• Make-up, hand mirror if desired
• CPAP machine settings, tubing, and machine (if you have one)
• Cell phone and charger
• Phone numbers of family and friends
• Reading materials
• Your "Joint Venture" booklet
• Walker, if you have one (put your name on your walker)
• Copy of your Advance Directive
• Hard candy or gum
• Chapstick

This is a checklist that you should review the Morning of Your Surgery, before you come to the hospital. This checklist will allow you to do one last check to make sure you have everything needed before coming to Redmond.

• Take medications as instructed at your preoperative visit with a sip of water
• You may brush your teeth but do not drink water
• Wash with the Chlorhexidine Cloths provided to you at your preoperative visit. Use the cloths as instructed during your preadmission visit and at Joint Venture Class
• Put your walker in your car, if you have one. Be sure you have put your name on your walker.
• Put your suitcase in the car with everything packed as listed above.
• Bring your purple check in sheet with you to the hospital
• Bring your blood slip and bracelet with you to the hospital

A Total Joint Replacement surgery usually requires 1-2 hours. In addition to time spent in the actual procedure, patients are in the operating room for approximately 45 additional minutes for anesthesia before and the recovery after the operation.

After your surgery, you will go to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The nurse and anesthesiologist will monitor your care immediately after surgery. In order to keep your lungs clear, the nurse will encourage you to cough and deep breathe. Your needs for pain medications will be continually addressed throughout the recovery period. You will feel somewhat groggy. You will be in the PACU for 1 to 2 hours. As soon as you are awake and medically stable, you will be transferred to your room in The Sidney A. Bell Joint Center.

Your family should know that you will be in the operating room and Post Anesthesia Care Unit for 5-6 hours. Family members may wait in the surgical waiting room. Family members may be asked for contact information, so the Operating Room Staff and your Orthopaedic Surgeon can keep in touch with them. Your Surgeon will talk to your family in a private conference room after your surgery.

When you arrive in your hospital room in The Sidney A. Bell Joint Center your nurse will welcome you to your room. Your nurse will complete a nursing assessment and monitor your vital signs then your nurse will notify your family that you are ready for visitors. You and your family will be given an orientation to your room.

Additionally, there are many added benefits with choosing Redmond and The Total Joint Center:

• Dedicated, State-of-the-Art Operating Rooms and Orthopedic Teams
• Therapy in Our Dedicated, State-of-the-Art Joint Gym
• Daily Walks on Our Tour of Rome Track
• Joint Cafe with Chef-Selected Foods
• Educational Classes for You and Your Coach
• Orthopedic Education Resource Room
• Rooming-in for Your Coach
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

You will be given individualized discharge instructions from your nurse and your physical therapist before you are discharged from the hospital.

Your discharge instructions will include:

• Care of your surgical incision
• When you will be allowed to get in the shower
• When your staples will be removed
• When to continue all of your regular home medications
• Pain Medication prescription and information
• DVT prophylaxis or medication to prevent blood clots
• Signs and symptoms to report to your physician

  The Nurse Discharge Planner will arrange for your therapy including Outpatient Therapy and any equipment needed for you prior to discharge. Your equipment will be delivered to you in your hospital room and the therapist will check your walker for correct height adjustment.

  • Bright red around your incision
  • Temperature 101 or over
  • Pain unrelieved by pain medications
  • Tenderness or pain in calf
  • Any wound drainage
  • Your exercises will be reviewed with you by your physical therapist

Please call us with any questions you make have. We look forward to seeing you at Redmond's Sidney A. Bell Total Joint Center and helping you get back to a healthy, active lifestyle!