Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for Surgery in the Western Suburbs

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital specialists will help guide you through each stage of your outpatient surgery. Specialists work together to bring you excellent care and a seamless patient experience.

Before surgery

After your doctor places an order for your surgery, a pre-admission nurse will contact you to ask a series of pre-surgical questions, explain details about your surgery and discuss with you any special needs you may have. Your pre-procedure nurse will schedule tests you need prior to surgery at the hospital or at a Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care location.

Day of surgery

When you arrive for surgery, care team members will review your admission health history for any changes, complete any additional testing ordered by your physician or anesthesiologist, prepare you for your procedure, tell you what to expect before and after your procedure, and answer any questions you may have.

Before your surgery, the anesthesia team will:

• Review your health history and lab test results
• Discuss the best option for anesthesia with your surgeon
• Work with your surgeon or physician to ensure that you are in the best possible condition for surgery

After surgery

After surgery, you will be moved to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). You will stay here until most of the anesthetic has worn off, and it is safe for you to move to a hospital room or the second phase recovery room.

Your family will join you in the second phase recovery room. If you are having same-day surgery, you will receive written and verbal instructions before your discharge from the hospital. If you have any questions about your care at home, discuss them with your nurse before leaving the hospital. A staff member will contact you at home after your surgery to check on your recovery.

For parents of pediatric patients

As soon as your child is awake, you can be with him or her in the second phase recovery area. You will be able to stay with your child until it’s time for your child to go home. Central DuPage Hospital also has a Child Life program. The skilled Child Life specialists are here to help your child and your family—from your child’s diagnosis through the treatment journey.

Emmi^® Patient Education

If you’re like most people, the thought of surgery makes you feel anxious. To help answer your questions, address your concerns and calm your nerves, Northwestern Medicine offers Emmi® Patient Education, an online educational resource that details many types of surgeries.