Preparing for Surgery at Gettysburg Hospital

Gettysburg Hospital appreciates you turning to us to have your surgery.  In order to help make for a more pleasant experience for our patients, we encourage you to review the information below regarding surgery preparation and your stay in the hospital's Outpatient Services Unit (OSU).

What to expect prior to surgery

• You will be contacted by someone from registration approximately one week prior to your scheduled surgery.
• A representative of pre-hospital assessment is available to sit down with you face to face at our Pre-Admission Center located in the WellSpan Washington Street Health Center, 450 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA. The Pre-Admission Center's hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Friday. If you do not choose to visit our Pre Admission Center and have not received a phone call from the Pre-Admission Center nurse within 72 hours of your surgery, please call the department at 717-339-2019. 
• A representative of the Outpatient Services Unit (OSU) will contact you the evening before your surgery to review preparations for your procedure and your arrival time.

Pre-hospital admission information

A representative of pre-hospital assessment services will go over the following information with you:

• Directions to the hospital, the parking lot and the hospital's Outpatient Services Unit (OSU).
• Personal belongings - We recommend the patient leaves personal belongings in the car and the items are brought to the patient's room once the room has been assigned.
• Specific information about your procedure.
• Outpatient Service Unit (OSU) expectations - Including checking of vital signs, information verification and obtaining hospital consent.
   In the holding room prior to transport to the surgical suite, an IV will be inserted. Information verification for your safety will occur again.
• Anesthesia information - An anesthesiologist will review the process; you will be asked to sign a consent form for anesthesia after reviewing and understanding the information. 
• Recovery Room (PACU) expectations - During your stay, you will be monitored closely. You may be asked by your care provider to cough, breathe deeply and do leg exercises. During your stay, you will be monitored closely. Your pain level will be assessed and you will be provided pain control options.
• Discharge - If your surgery is an outpatient procedure, you must have someone pick you up from the hospital and take you home, as you will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours. You will be provided with any post-surgery dietary restrictions and information on physical activity levels after surgery. 
• Family waiting area - You will be provided with information as to where your family members may wait during the surgery and how family will be notified when the surgery has finished.

Pre-surgery Information

• You may not eat any food or drink any liquids after midnight the evening prior to surgery or procedure. This includes chewing gum and throat lozenges.
• You may take certain medications with a small amount of water the morning of the surgery or procedure, based on the guidelines you will be provided with.
• You may not drink alcohol after 6 p.m. on the evening prior to the surgery or procedure.
• You may not smoke after midnight prior to the surgery or procedure.
• You must remove all jewelry, including all body piercings and body spacers. Make-up, lotions, powders, perfumes, hair spray and hair gel are also not allowed. Nail polish must be removed. However, acrylics and gels may be left on. You may not wear deodorant.
• You are encouraged to bring nothing of value to the OSU and to wear comfortable clothing.
• You should bring your "About Your Surgery" information guide provided by your physician, on the day of your surgery.
• You should bring a list of all medications you are currently taking along with the correct dosages for each to the OSU. Also, you should bring eye drops, inhalers, nasal sprays and topical ointments you use on a regular basis. 

Minor patients

If the patient is a minor, a parent or guardian should remain in the waiting room in case they are needed by the surgeon or the recovery room.