Information for New Fort Sanders Physicians Fort Sanders Physicians Directory

Create a free personalized website to support and connect loved ones during illness, treatment and recovery.

Submit a "Shining Star" to recognize outstanding employees

Fort Sanders Regional Quality information is online

Information for New Fort Sanders Employees

Net Nursery The newest faces in East Tennessee are online and at Fort Sanders!

Your Passport to a Healthier, Fuller Life Seniors, Sign Up Now!

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Supports Operation Stroke in Knoxville. Visit the American Heart Association Website

Day Surgery At Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Preparing for Your Operation Preadmission Testing Where Can I Find Preadmission Testing? What Should I bring to Preadmission Testing? Preoperative Instructions The Day of Surgery No Smoking Arriving at the Hospital The Day Surgery Unit After Your Operation Outpatient Information Pain Management Family/Companion Instructions Questions at Home Postoperative Exercises Preparing for Your Operation(Back to Top) You’re going to have an operation. You may be feeling somewhat nervous about being in the hospital for surgery, but this is very normal feeling. The following information was designed to help ease your fears and give a preview of what you can expect before and after surgery. We want your stay to be as pleasant as possible, and our staff is ready to assist you. We encourage you to ask questions about your care while you are a patient at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Preadmission Testing(Back to Top) The preadmission process consists of preregistration, preadmission testing, and evaluation service for patients scheduled for surgery. Preadmission testing is urged because it provides timely, unhurried preparation for your surgery. Your doctor may order appropriate tests that he feels are essential for you to have before your surgery. Some of the most frequent tests are: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – A graph of how the heart beats. Chest x-rays – Taken to help evaluate the condition of your lungs and heart. Blood tests and urine specimens – Taken to help check your overall health. Special Note* Additional testing may be required by the Anesthesia Department, depending on your health, history and age. This will be decided by the preadmission testing nurse when she evaluates your health history. Special Note* Be sure to inform you physician if you regularly take aspirin or other blood-thinning medications. You may need to stop taking these medications several days before the surgery. Prior to your admission for surgery, a nurse from our Preadmission Testing Department will contact you and ask questions regarding your medical history, explain tests you need or have had, and provide you with necessary instructions. Our healthcare professionals are genuinely interested in your well-being and will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding your surgery or admission. If you should have additional questions about your scheduled test(s) or surgery, you may call our Preadmission Testing Department at: Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Preadmission Department: (865) 541-1634 Where Can I Find Preadmission Testing?(Back to Top) At Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, registration and testing are located in the Surgery Registration Office at the main entrance on the west side of the facility. No appointment is necessary. You may come in for your tests at your convenience during our hours of operation: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. What Should I bring to Preadmission Testing?(Back to Top) For your visit to the preadmission testing area, bring the following information: Orders or instructions from your physician Copies of health records, lab tests, EKG, or x-ray reports. Previous blood tests are accepted for 30 days and x-rays and EKGs are excepted for six months prior to surgery. Medic Blood Bank cards Medication list and dosages Allergy list Insurance information Let your physician’s office know when you plan to have preadmission testing to ensure your orders are there when you arrive. Preoperative Instructions (Back to Top) It is important that you not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the evening before your surgery. (This means no coffee, hard candy, gum or food of any kind.) Check with your physician regarding information about any medications your are taking at the time of surgery. Take your medications on the morning of your procedure if you are told to do so by the preadmission testing nurse or your physician. You may have just enough water to swallow your medications. If you are ill, (i.e. sore throat, cough, fever or infection) you should contact your physician’s office on the day prior to surgery and let them know. Arrange for a relative or adult friend (over age 18) to drive you home, since you will not be allowed to drive yourself. A bus or cab is not acceptable unless a responsible adult over age 18 is with you. Persons with diabetes need to check with the preadmission testing nurse prior to the surgery date for any special instructions regarding their medications. If there is any possibility you are pregnant, tell your physician. The Day of Surgery(Back to Top) On the day of your surgery, please remember to: Be on time. Bring healthcare records, test results, blood bank cards, and allergy and medication lists, unless these items were given to the nurse for preadmission testing. Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the evening before your surgery. (This means no coffee, hard candy, gum or food of any kind.) The anesthesia care provider will talk to you the morning of your surgery. Take your medications on the morning of your procedure if you are told to do so by the preadmission nurse or physician. (You may have just enough water to swallow your medications.) Bathe or shower and brush your teeth before you leave home. This reduces the chance of infection. Wear casual, loose fitting clothes and flat shoes. Bring your glasses and/or contact lens case. All types of contact lenses must be removed before surgery. Do not wear make-up or jewelry. You may wear light or clear nail polish. Acrylic nails with light polish do not have to be removed. Remove all jewelry before you arrive at the hospital. This includes: rings (even wedding rings), watches, earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, etc. Leave all valuables, such as money, credit cards, etc., at home. If you are scheduled to be admitted into the hospital after surgery, pack a small bag containing toiletries, a robe, pajamas, slippers, and other supplies you feel you may need. We suggest leaving your bag in your car and having it brought to you once you have been assigned a hospital room following surgery. No Smoking(Back to Top) It is very important that you do not smoke before your operation. After you have general anesthesia, secretions tend to build up in your lungs. Smoking beforehand will further irritate the lungs and cause more mucus and fluid buildup. By not smoking prior to the operation, the chances of reduced congestion afterward are increased. Lung congestion can lead to the development of pneumonia. Smoking is prohibited inside the facility! Arriving at the Hospital(Back to Top) Parking Park in the areas designated for Day Surgery at the main entrance to the hospital, and place your parking pass on the dashboard on driver’s side of the car. Any visitors you may have can park in designated visitor parking areas. The Day Surgery Unit (Back to Top) As an outpatient or postoperative admission, you will be given a time to arrive at the hospital where you will be admitted to the Day Surgery Unit. You will then be given a hospital gown, socks, and cap to put on. Additionally, you will be given a plastic bag for your clothing. Patients will be asked to remove all jewelry, dark nail polish, hairpins, glasses, and dentures. Give your valuables to your family or friends for safekeeping (or ask your nurse for assistance). A nurse will check your vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure respiratory rate, weight and height. Finally, you will be asked to empty your bladder because once you receive preoperative medication you will not be allowed out of bed. If you brought paperwork with you, please give it to the nurse so she can ensure it is attached to your medical records. Preoperative Holding Area (PHA) Approximately one hour before your operation is scheduled, you will be taken to the Preoperative Holding Area where a nurse will check to make sure everything is in order for your surgery. Depending on your procedure, you may be taken to the preoperative holding area earlier. You will be interviewed by an operating room nurse in the Preoperative Holding Area. Please let the nurse know any special needs you have (hearing aid, glasses, pillow for under your legs, etc.). An anesthesia care provider who will review your anesthetic plan with you and answer any questions you may have. In the PHA, an intravenous needle (IV) will be inserted and used as a pipeline for giving you medicine and fluids that your body needs during and after surgery. You may be given medication to help you relax. Other medications such as antibiotics may also be given. Your length of stay in the PHA will be about an hour. Operating Room You will relax and rest in the PHA until you are taken to the operating room by the nurse who will care for you during surgery. You will be asked to move onto the operating room bed, and be connected to any monitors that are required to ensure your safety during anesthesia and your operation. The doctors, nurses and technicians will be wearing masks, gowns and gloves. The room will be full of equipment that may look strange to you, but is important for a safe and effective surgery. Before you know it, you will be asleep. After Your Operation(Back to Top) Postanesthesia Care unit (PACU/Recovery) You will be taken to the postanesthesia care unit commonly known as "recovery" immediately following your operation. The nurses and anesthesia staff will monitor you closely as you begin to wake up. Your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be monitored as well. An oxygen mask may be placed over your mouth and nose until you are awake and warm blankets will be provided. Medication may be given if you are having discomfort or nausea. You may expect to stay in the recovery room approximately 1-2 hours. There may be exceptions depending on individual circumstances. Your family will be notified if your stay will be longer. Once you have recovered from your anesthesia and your bed is ready, you will return to the Day Surgery Unit where your family may visit. Your nurse will make sure you are comfortably settled and review your personal care plan for your hospital stay. Outpatient Information(Back to Top) On the Day Surgery Unit If you are going home after surgery, you will return to the Day Surgery unit, where your family may visit. Your nurse will make sure you are comfortable and will review take-home instructions for your care. The time you need to stay on the unit after your operation varies depending on the type of operation, anesthetic and your medical history. After a sufficient recovery period and when you are able to tolerate fluids by mouth, you will be transferred to a recliner chair to help you adjust to the upright position for the ride home. When you are able to get up and walk a short distance (unless your operation or medical condition prevents you from walking), you will be ready to change into you’re street clothes and leave for home. You will be discharged when you and the Day Surgery nurse feel you are ready to go home. You will be given written discharge instructions to follow after you get home and may be given prescription(s) your doctor wants you to take. Be sure to follow your physician’s instructions regarding rest, medication and diet. You will be assisted to your vehicle where a responsible adult (over age 18) must be available to drive you home. You can not drive yourself home after your operation. A bus or cab is not acceptable unless a responsible adult over age 18 is with you. Pain Management(Back to Top) It is normal to have some pain and discomfort after your operation. This is due to swelling around the operative area and disturbance of bone, muscle, and tissue. Pain and discomfort will decrease during the healing process. Most of the pain and discomfort exists during the first three days after your operation. People used to think that pain was something they just had to live with. Now, with new medications and ways to administer them, you can work with your doctor and nurse to minimize your discomfort during this period. Methods of pain management include: pills, shots, epidural catheters, and Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA). PCA is a machine that allows you to push a button to give yourself pain medicine whenever you are having discomfort. If you have questions or are interested in any of these methods, talk about it with your surgeon and anesthesiologist. Family/Companion Instructions(Back to Top) Before your operation: A family member or companion may accompany you to the Day Surgery Unit. Other family members or companions should check in with the receptionist in the surgery waiting room or main lobby of the hospital. After your operation: Your surgeon will speak with your family or companion in the surgery waiting room. If you are an inpatient, your family will be informed by the surgery waiting room receptionist when you are going to your hospital room. If you are going home, your family member or companion will be able to see you when you return to the Day Surgery area. Questions at Home(Back to Top) A nurse from Day Surgery will call you at home after your surgery. For problems or questions, see your discharge instruction sheet. Remember, if you have concerns or questions when you are at home you can always contact your physician. Recovery at home Although specific, written instructions will be given to you on your discharge instruction sheet, here are some general reminders: Limit your activities at home for at least 24 hours after your operation. Do not drive for at least 24 hours after you operation. Begin meals with clear liquids and progress to solid foods as they are tolerated. You may have some urinary retention and may not be able to urinate for 8 to 12 hours. If you feel uncomfortable and cannot urinate, call your surgeon. You may have minimal nausea. You may have some pain. The medication you received during your operation may affect you memory and mental judgement for 24 hours following anesthesia. Avoid strenuous activity, operating heavy machinery, or making any life-changing decisions 24 hours after surgery or as your physician instructs. Postoperative Exercises(Back to Top) Deep Breathing: After any operation it is important to prevent the onset of pneumonia. You will need to deep breathe, cough, and turn at least every two hours. We realize that the discomfort caused by operating may make it hard to deep breathe and cough. The following suggestions may ease the discomfort. How to Deep Breathe and Cough Get into a comfortable sitting position. After abdominal surgery, you may wish to hold your incision with a pillow or folded blanket. Close your mouth and take in a very slow deep breath through your nose. Let your stomach swell out and inhale until your lungs feel full. Breathe out very slowly through slightly parted lips, and press in your stomach. Repeat this for two more breaths. After you breathe three times, cough three times in a row. Don’t just clear your throat, cough down deep. Stick your tongue forward, and feel your stomach muscles tighten each time you cough. Do deep breathing and coughing exercises every two hours during the day and every four hours during the night until you are up and about. Remember: No one can breathe or cough for you. Performing the breathing and coughing exercises after you operation is your part of getting yourself well. Frequent practice of these exercises before your operation will prepare you for this responsibility. Exercising Your Legs The following leg exercises will help prevent blood clots and relieve aching legs and abdominal muscles. How to Exercise Your Legs while in Bed: Tighten the muscles in your calves. Relax. Tighten. Relax. Push the toes of both feet toward the foot of the bed. Relax both feet. Pull toes toward the chin. Relax both feet. Circle both ankles, first to the right then to the left. Repeat three times. Relax. Lift your legs up and down. Exercise your legs every two hours.

Covenant Health | All About Us
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Notice Of Privacy Practices | Disclaimer