What to Expect

No matter how healthy or independent you are, you’ll need help getting home and recovering comfortably. Your post-operative medications will make it unsafe for you to drive a car, walk or travel home via public transportation. We also recommend having someone nearby for 24 hours after your surgery to help with medications and moving you safely around your home.

That’s why it’s important to ask a family member or friend to serve as your “responsible adult” – someone who can:

• Accompany you to your preadmission visit (not required, but a good idea)
• Drive you to the Owensboro Health Outpatient Surgery Center for your surgical procedure
• Be available during and after surgery to consult with your surgeon if needed
• Drive you home after you’re released
• Help you get comfortable at home
• Administer any post-surgical treatment or medications

If you’re not comfortable asking a friend or family member, talk to your preadmission nurse about other options.

An evaluation at Owensboro Health's Preadmission Center is an important step in preparing for your surgery. You’ll learn what to expect when you come in for your procedure, and provide your Owensboro Health surgical team with everything they need to know for a successful outcome.

Scheduling Your Preadmission Appointment

• Your surgeon’s office may give you a scheduled time for your preadmission visit. Patients with an appointment are seen before those patients without an appointment.
• If your physician’s office has not scheduled your appointment, call (207) 688-2055 to schedule your preadmission session. We ask you come in 3-14 days prior to your procedure.
• Before calling have the following information ready: Your name, surgeon’s name and date of procedure.

What to Bring

• Doctor’s orders or papers given to you by your doctor.
• Medication bottles or a complete medication list with dosage information and times, including prescription and over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antacids, allergy medications, vitamins, herbs and diet pills.
• Insurance cards and photo identification.
• Any recent electrocardiogram (EKG), X-ray or laboratory results you may have already had performed. This may prevent repeat testing.
• A copy of your advanced care directives (e.g., living will or medical power of attorney) or guardianship documents, if applicable.  Find additional information for Kentucky advance directives or Indiana advance directives.

Where to go

The Preadmission Center is located just off the main Parrish Avenue entrance. Please sign in at the registration desk.

View map, driving directions and parking information

Your Appointment Will Include

• Preadmission nurse consultation: Our preadmission nurse will ask about your medical history, including previous surgeries, allergies and medications. The nurse will gather your medical records and coordinate your care with your physician. Tell your nurse if you have any allergies, including latex, or if you are taking any blood thinners, diabetes medication or diet pills.
• Pre-anesthesia evaluation: This evaluation is performed by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who works closely with the anesthesia team to ensure the safe and effective anesthesia delivery. If any risks for complications are identified during the evaluation, talk with your anesthesia representative.
• Preadmission testing: In addition to testing ordered by your surgeon, there may be additional testing necessary for anesthesia. Laboratory tests, electrocardiograms (EKG) and/or X-rays may be performed if necessary.
• DO call your physician if you become ill (fever, chest congestion, flu) or if you cannot keep your scheduled surgery appointment.
• DO stop taking any herbal medications or diet pills.
• DO stop smoking.
• DO notify your insurance company of your surgical plans (even if your physician’s office has done so).
• DO call Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center at (207) 684-9296 if your doctor discussed donating your own or your family member’s blood before surgery
• DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight, unless instructed by your physician. This includes water, coffee, gum and mints.
• DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before surgery.
• DO NOT eat spicy or heavy foods.
• DO take only those medications (with a few sips of water) as instructed by your physician and/or preadmission nurse.
• DO take a complete bath or shower with anti-bacterial soap. Do not use lotions or powders.
• DO wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• DO bring only necessary items. During your procedure your belongings will be given to the responsible adult accompanying you.
• DO bring your cases for contact lenses, glasses or dentures to be stored during your surgery.
• DO remove your contact lenses prior to surgery.
• DO keep in mind that the medications you may receive will make it unsafe for you to drive a car, walk home or travel by public transportation.
• DO bring your C-PAP machine to the hospital if you use one during sleep.
• DO bring any information provided by the surgeon or the Preadmission Center.
• DO NOT smoke - or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke.
• DO NOT wear make-up, jewelry, body piercings or contact lenses.
• DO NOT wear nail polish or artificial nails.
• DO NOT bring valuables. Your belongings will be given to your responsible adult.
• DO NOT eat or drink.
• DO NOT bring children under the age of 12 with you to the hospital.

The day before your surgery

• DO call your physician if you become ill (fever, chest congestion, flu) or if you cannot keep your scheduled surgery appointment.
• DO stop taking any herbal medications or diet pills.
• DO stop smoking.
• DO notify your insurance company of your surgical plans (even if your physician’s office has done so).
• DO call Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center at (207) 684-9296 if your doctor discussed donating your own or your family member’s blood before surgery

The night before your surgery

• DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight, unless instructed by your physician. This includes water, coffee, gum and mints.
• DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before surgery.
• DO NOT eat spicy or heavy foods.

The morning of your surgery

• DO take only those medications (with a few sips of water) as instructed by your physician and/or preadmission nurse.
• DO take a complete bath or shower with anti-bacterial soap. Do not use lotions or powders.
• DO wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• DO bring only necessary items. During your procedure your belongings will be given to the responsible adult accompanying you.
• DO bring your cases for contact lenses, glasses or dentures to be stored during your surgery.
• DO remove your contact lenses prior to surgery.
• DO keep in mind that the medications you may receive will make it unsafe for you to drive a car, walk home or travel by public transportation.
• DO bring your C-PAP machine to the hospital if you use one during sleep.
• DO bring any information provided by the surgeon or the Preadmission Center.
• DO NOT smoke - or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke.
• DO NOT wear make-up, jewelry, body piercings or contact lenses.
• DO NOT wear nail polish or artificial nails.
• DO NOT bring valuables. Your belongings will be given to your responsible adult.
• DO NOT eat or drink.
• DO NOT bring children under the age

Plan to arrive two hours before your scheduled surgery time, unless instructed otherwise by your physician or preadmission nurse.

To check in, go directly to the Outpatient Surgery Department, located on the 2nd floor by Elevator A.

View map, driving directions and parking information

Our staff will take the final steps in preparing you for surgery; this may include medications, an IV and skin preparation as needed. Your surgeon may mark your surgical site before surgery.

Your surgeon, anesthesia provider and nurse can address any remaining questions before your procedure begins.

After surgery, you’ll be taken to the recovery room, where a nurse will monitor your vital signs, check your bandages and keep you comfortable as you wake up from anesthesia. The average recovery room stay is one hour.

You’ll remain in the Outpatient Surgery Department until your physician, anesthesia provider and nurse have determined that it’s safe for you to go home.

 If your stay is extended, you may be transferred to a nursing unit. Your care team will arrange a scheduled time for your discharge home.

• Follow your physician’s orders and discharge instructions given to you by the nurse.
• Call your physician if you experience severe dizziness, uncontrolled pain, prolonged nausea and vomiting, a fever greater than 101.5 degrees or any symptoms you find alarming.
• Take medications as prescribed.
• Follow dietary instructions given at discharge.
• Make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon.
• Return to activity as instructed by your physician.
• DO NOT make any important or critical decisions immediately after your surgery.
• DO NOT drive or operate any hazardous machinery for 24 hours or as instructed by physician.