T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger offers the highest level of
pediatric surgical services in the tri-state region, including a team of
highly-trained pediatric nurses, anesthesiologists and board certified pediatric
surgeons.
The staff at Children’s Hospital understands that surgery can be a stressful
time for patients and their families. This brochure will provide answers to some
frequently asked questions, as well as tips on how to prepare your child for
surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare my child for surgery?
What do I need to bring on the day of my child’s surgery?
Who is on my child’s surgery team?
Who will be my child’s anesthesiologists?
How will I find out details of my child’s surgery time?
Will my child need a blood test before surgery?
Can I stay with my child before surgery?
Will my child get an IV before surgery?
How will I know how my child’s surgery went?
If my child needs to stay in the hospital, can I stay with him/her?
If I have questions or problems after I get my child home, how do I contact someone?
Where can I find out more about my child’s condition?
How can I prepare my child for surgery?
Very young
children need limited information that is carefully worded. Children ages 4 to
10 may benefit from a pre-surgery tour offered by the Child Life Department.
Patients and their families are given the opportunity to tour and become more
familiar with the staff, equipment, and environment prior to the day of surgery.
Tours are designed to answer any questions children may have about the
procedure, as well as increase parents’ ability to be supportive throughout the
entire surgical and recovery process. For more information and to register for a
tour, please call 778-2154.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
What do I need
to bring on the day of my child’s surgery?
- Insurance information
- A change of comfortable clothes to wear home after
surgery
- Pair of socks
- Favorite toy or blanket
- A sippy cup bottle from home for younger children
AFTER surgery.
- Some dental procedures may require a copy of your
child’s recent medical history or physical from your child’s primary care
physician.
- Please bring papers of guardianship that prove you are authorized to sign
for medical procedures if you are not the birth parent of the child.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Who is on my
child’s surgery team?
On the day of your
child’s surgery, you and your child will meet all who are involved in the
surgery including the surgeon, anesthesiologists, and members of the nursing
staff.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Who will be my
child’s anesthesiologists?
A pediatric
anesthesiologist, an anesthesiologist who has completed at least one year of
specialized training in anesthesia care of infants and children, will administer
and monitor your child’s anesthesia during surgery. Through special care and
training, pediatric anesthesiologist can provide your child with the safest
care.
How will I
find out details of my child’s surgery time?
You will be contacted by phone no later than one day before your child’s
surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for Monday, the latest you will be
contacted is Friday.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Will my child
need a blood test before surgery?
If lab
work is needed, your child’s physician will tell you when to come to the
hospital for blood work. Not all procedures require lab work prior to
surgery.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Can I stay
with my child before surgery?
Parents can
remain with their child up until the time of surgery. The nurse will administer
an oral sedative about 10-15 minutes before surgery to help your child separate
from you without anxiety.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Will my child
get an IV before surgery?
Most children 10
and under are asleep before an IV is started. Older children and young adults
needing an IV before anesthesia receive a numbing cream which is rubbed on like
hand lotion before the IV is inserted.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
How will I
know how my child’s surgery went?
Your child’s
surgeon will contact you either by phone or in person to discuss the outcome of
your child’s surgery. They will also provide you with instructions to follow at
home to ensure a full recovery.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
If my child
needs to stay in the hospital, can I stay with him/her?
If your child is staying overnight, you will be assigned a
room on one of the pediatric floors. If your child is going to a general
pediatric floor, you are encouraged to stay with your child throughout their
entire stay. If your child needs to be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care
Unit (PICU), there is liberal visitation. The PICU staff will be available to
give you more detailed information.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
If I have
questions or problems after I get my child home, how do I contact
someone?
If you experience problems at home and have any
questions, please contact your child’s primary care physician’s office. For
emergencies, call 9-1-1.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Where can I
find out more about my child’s condition?
Your child’s physician may be able to provide you with
web sites or support information pertaining to your child’s condition.
BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
|
