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Pediatric Surgery Information

At Cascade Surgicenter our goal is to provide a relaxed, safe, and comfortable environment for children. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one parent (or legal guardian) who remains at the facility from check-in to discharge. Parents/guardians are able to stay with their child until surgery and may rejoin their children after they wake up from anesthesia.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

Any medical procedure is a big event in a child’s life. Studies show that children cope better with medical procedures when they are well prepared ahead of time. Here are some helpful tips to make an upcoming procedure easier for your child.

  • Answer your child’s questions honestly.
  • Put your child at ease by showing your confidence, not your concerns.
  • Listen to your child’s comments and be sensitive to hidden fears.
  • Assure your child that illness and medical treatment are not punishments.
  • If you have any fears or anxieties about the procedure, discuss them with your child’s doctor away from your child and before the day of the procedure.
  • If possible, make arrangements in advance for the care of any brothers or sisters on the day of the procedure. You will want to focus on caring for the child who is having the procedure.
  • If possible, make arrangements to have two adults present the day of surgery. This will ensure plenty of help when caring for your child at the facility and on the ride home.
  • One adult present must be the child’s legal guardian. This person will need to sign the consent forms. Procedures cannot be done if these forms are not signed.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE SURGERY

  • A nurse will call the parent (or legal guardian) several days before the surgery to do a pre-operative interview.
  • During the interview, we will be asking about immunization history, prematurity, recent illnesses, respiratory issues, rashes, childhood developmental delays, or any other childhood diseases.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON SURGERY DAY 

What to bring: 

  • A list of questions for the doctor or nurse.
  • Any paperwork your child’s doctor has asked you to bring on day of surgery.
  • Your child’s insurance card. Remember: This must be the most current card.
  • A photo ID for the parent or legal guardian that will accompany the child.
  • Your child’s medication list, including times your child last received them. Include any and all medications taken the two weeks prior to surgery and “as needed” medication as well.
  • Your child’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal, doll, book, or pacifier. Older children may want to bring a smartphone or tablet.
  • A bottle or sippy cup if used by your child. If your child drinks formula or milk, please bring that with you. The surgery center will provide apple juice, sprite, water, and popsicles.
  • An extra pair of clothes for your child. Dress your child in comfortable clothes. Pajamas are acceptable.
  • The night before surgery, your child should have a bath or shower before leaving home to help prevent infection.
  • Remove all jewelry (this includes body piercings) and nail polish.

Eating and drinking instructions:

Before your child’s procedure you will be given instructions on when to stop your child from eating and drinking.

  • Unless your doctor directs you otherwise, your child cannot eat any solid food after 11:00 p.m. the night before surgery (this means not even a piece of gum or hard candy can be given to your child).
  • She/he can have formula or milk up to 6 hours prior to scheduled arrival time and breast milk up to 4 hours prior to scheduled arrival time.
  • She/he can have apple juice, water, pedialyte, or sprite up to 2 hours prior to scheduled arrival time.
  • If you do not follow the eating and drinking restrictions it could cause serious problems and put your child’s health at risk.
  • Follow these instructions carefully. If you do not, the procedure will be delayed or canceled.

SURGERY DAY 

“Pre-op” is where you will wait before your child’s procedure. While you’re in the pre-op area, we will ask questions about your child’s health. We may ask some questions more than once, but this helps us gather very detailed information. We ask that only two people accompany the child into the pre-op area, as space is limited. One person must be the legal guardian.

  • We will weigh and measure your child upon arrival to pre-op.
  • Your child will be given a hospital gown that ties in the back. You may leave on your child’s underpants or diaper and socks.
  • Toilet trained children will be asked to empty their bladder.
  • Female children age 12 years and older, or those who have begun menses, must provide a urine sample. Please alert the receptionist if the patient needs to urinate prior to admission to the pre-op area.
  • We will listen to your child’s heart and check your child’s temperature and breathing.
  • Jewelry, nail polish, contact lenses, eyeglasses, and any metal hair clips must be removed from your child.
  • A member of the anesthesia team will ask about your child’s medical history.
  • Shortly before your child’s procedure, he may be given a small amount of medicine to drink. Your child should become very relaxed and may become groggy or wobbly.
  • It is important to either hold your child securely or place him on the bed with the side rails up.
  • Watch your child carefully and follow the nurse’s instructions so he/she does not fall.
  • Children 12 years and older may have an I.V. placed in the pre-op area. If this causes anxiety for your child, then the staff will be flexible and discuss concerns with the anesthesiologists

Sometimes there are unavoidable delays in the operating room schedule. Our staff will keep you informed should this happen.

Download Pediatric Preoperative Instruction Sheet