Pediatric Same-Day Surgery

Pediatric Same-Day Surgery in the Northern Suburbs

As you schedule and prepare for your child’s surgery, your physician and nurse will supply you with specific, detailed information to help you prepare for the procedure.

Our anesthesiologists are specially trained for pediatrics, and our nurses focus on your child’s comfort before and after your surgery. Our staff is supported 24/7 by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago hospitalists—physicians who specialize in the unique needs of hospitalized pediatric patients.

The following general information will help guide you, but please direct any specific questions to your physician.

Preoperative instructions

A nurse will call you within one week of the scheduled surgery to obtain information about your child and give you pre-operative instructions, such as eating and drinking restrictions.

Day of surgery

Remember to bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to help ease your child’s anxiety. Please also bring a history and physical form if given to you by your pediatrician, any inhalers your child is currently using and any food or liquids your child may consume after surgery.

Arriving early and checking in

Plan to come to the hospital approximately one hour before the scheduled surgical time. Please allow extra time, because there’s always a possibility your child may go into the operating room early. Keep in mind, all scheduled surgery times are approximate because surgeries may take longer than anticipated, or there may be an emergency case added to the schedule.

Please park in the visitor’s parking lot in front of the main entrance. During check-in, you will be asked to sign registration and insurance forms, and you and your child will be escorted to the Pediatric Day Surgery Unit. Your nurse will prepare your child for surgery and answer any questions you may have. Your nurse also may place an intravenous line at this time.

Managing your child’s anxiety

We understand a child’s fear of the unknown, and the anxiety he or she may experience when separated from parents at the time of surgery. To help alleviate this anxiety, a few options are available. Your nurse will discuss them with you prior to the surgery date.

Communication during surgery

We will keep you updated throughout your child’s surgery. We also have a computerized tracking board in the surgical waiting room to keep friends and family informed.

To protect patient privacy, we can only give information to the immediate family. Please designate one family member to receive information, and let the waiting room volunteer know the name of this person. We will direct all calls or information to this family member, and they can relay information to the others as needed.

The Pediatric Day Surgery waiting room includes complimentary coffee service, a children's play area, a public phone, desks, and free Wi-Fi. In addition, Lake Forest Hospital offers:

• Cafeteria located on the ground floor
• Coffee shop located on the first floor, near the visitor’s lobby
• Vending area located on the ground floor next to cafeteria
• Gift shop located on the first floor near the visitor’s lobby

Visitors

Visitors to the Pediatric Day Surgery Unit must be free of any communicable illnesses. If your child happens to become ill within a few days of the scheduled surgery, please contact your physician.

Because of limited space, we can only allow two adult visitors (no siblings, please) in the patient’s room on the day of surgery.

Unfortunately, due to privacy and space, we do not allow visitors in the recovery room. However, a surgical waiting area is available.

After surgery recovery

The surgeon will let you know as soon as the surgery is completed. Following surgery, your child will be observed in our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), also known as the recovery room. The nursing staff will be with your child as the anesthetic wears off to continually monitor pain, the surgical site and alertness.

You will be reunited with your child as soon as his or her condition permits. Following the appropriate recovery time, your child will be returned to the Pediatric Day Surgery Unit to complete the recovery period, drink some fluids and either be discharged home or taken to an inpatient room if staying overnight. Anticipate 30 minutes to three hours for recovery time.

Discharge

You will be given written instructions for your child’s care at home. These instructions include recommended activities and foods, as well as those to avoid. Your child’s physician may also provide a prescription.

Unless your child’s physician instructs you otherwise, your child may resume a normal diet following surgery. It is wise to increase your child’s fluid intake while they take pain medication to help avoid constipation. If your child experiences nausea or vomiting after being discharged, contact your child’s physician.

Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pediatric Day Surgery at 847.535.6591. Voicemail is checked daily Monday through Friday.

For an urgent need, contact the Pediatric Inpatient Unit at 847.535.8168, 24 hours a day.

To pre-register for surgery by phone, call 847.535.6853.