Preparing For Surgery - Humber River hospital

Booking Surgery

Once you've agreed to surgery in clinic you will sign the appropriate documents.
Dr. Marsh’s office will call you within two weeks and you will book a surgery date. If you need to cancel or change this date, please do so at least six weeks in advance.

Approximately one week before surgery, you will be contacted by the pre-screening department at Humber River Hospital. They will either perform a telephone interview, or ask you to come in to hospital for routine blood work and/or medical consultation. The pre-operative unit uses specific criteria to determine whether or not you will require blood work, pre-operative medical consultation, etc.

Please thoroughly shower and wash your leg (knee down) with an antibacterial soap
Please cut your toenails (anytime the week of the surgery is fine)
If you have crutches you can bring them with you or can purchase them from the hospital

You will receive a wrist band.
Your family/friends will be given instructions on how to receive real-time updates about your location via text message (i.e. when you enter the OR, when the surgery begins, when the surgery ends, etc.).
One family member must be present after surgery to drive you home.

You will proceed to the Pre-Operative Unit which is just across the hall from the Registration Desk.
You will get your own room. Your family can join you.
The Pre-op nurse will review important medical information, allergies, etc. The nurse will confirm your surgery, surgical site and consent form.
You will have an IV started.

You will meet the nurse from the OR. The nurse will review important medical information, allergies, etc. The nurse will confirm your surgery, surgical site and consent form.
The Anesthesiologist will see you and discuss the anesthetic plan (general vs. local anesthesia). This will not be discussed prior to this with Dr. Marsh. This plan will be made between yourself and your Anesthesiologist.
Dr. Marsh will meet you and confirm your surgery, surgical site and consent form. He will mark the surgery site with a marker. Any last questions will be answered.

You will be taken into the OR by the OR nurse and the Surgical Assistant.
Your family will be escorted to the waiting room (same place as the Surgical Registration Unit).
Your family member will receive real-time text messages updating them on the progress.
Following surgery one family member will be able to visit you in the recovery room.