Surgery Checklist
- It is important to arrive at the hospital on time, as there is a lot to take care of prior to the surgery. Be sure to allow enough time for traffic. It’s better to be early than late. Please note that the valet stand and check-in does not open prior to 5:15 a.m
- Don’t forget all of the child’s important paperwork pertaining to guardianship, custody arrangements, health insurance and the like. Please refer any questions about this documentation, to the preoperative unit at (714) 509-9185.
- Dress the patient in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Let the child know that he or she will have to change into the hospital-provided gown once in the preoperative unit. Family members who will be with the child at the hospital should also dress in comfortable clothing and bring a light sweater or sweatshirt, even if it is warm outside.
- Pack a few comfort items from home for the patient. Space in the preoperative unit is limited, so please only bring a few small items and also note that the comfort items may not be allowed in the operating room.
- Patients must remove all jewelry and piercings (even plastic), cosmetics and nail polish.
- Be certain the child bathes the night before with any special soaps prescribed by your doctor. Do not shave the surgical area prior to the procedure. Shaving can cause tiny cuts that cannot be seen and can increase the risk of surgical infection
- Please follow the instructions provided by the child’s doctor about when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. Any patient who eats or drinks prior to surgery will have their surgery postponed or canceled. The patient’s healthcare team will let the patient and family know when the child may resume eating and drinking after surgery. Read more about the NPO guidelines at CHOC.