Preparing For Surgery

We are pleased that you have chosen to have your procedure at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook and strive to provide excellent care during your stay. The purpose of the following information is to give you and your family a brief summary of what to expect.

Pre-admission Interview
The health care providers at Elmbrook Memorial need to know your medical history and current state of health. Knowing this information will assist them in delivering the best and safest care possible.

An Elmbrook Memorial representative will call you for pre-registration and insurance information as well as to answer any of your questions or concerns.  If for some reason, you have not been contacted 24 hours before your scheduled admission, please call the Admission Department at 262-785-2255.

Pre-admission Testing
If testing is required prior to your procedure, you will receive a call from Central Scheduling and the Admission Department to coordinate and schedule appropriate appointments.  If you have not been contacted by either of these departments 24 hours before your surgery, please call Pre-Admission Testing at 262-785-2255.   Please allow one hour for testing which may include:

• Blood work
• Chest x-ray
• Electrocardiogram
• Urine sample

Please allow 30 minutes for your nurse interview and have the following information available:

• List of allergies with reactions
• Medication information – name, dose, frequency and reason for taking
• Name of adult driver taking you home
• Previous surgeries

The Day of Your Procedure

• Bathe or shower the night before or the morning of the procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless instructed to do so by your surgeon, primary physician, anesthesiologist or pre-admission testing nurse.
• Dress comfortably in clothes that are easy to remove.  Shoulder surgery patients should bring a large loose button down shirt to wear home.
• Do not wear any cosmetics or nail polish.
• Do not take any medication unless instructed to do so by your physician.
• No smoking, alcohol or recreational drug use 24 hours before surgery.
• Please leave all your valuables at home: cash, credit cards, checkbooks, jewelry, etc.
• You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.  Do not swallow any water.

The Day of Surgery
Please bring the following items with you:

• Advance Directives document:  Living Will and Power of Attorney for Healthcare papers – copies only please
• Insurance card(s), Medicare and/or Medicaid card(s)
• Inhalers
• Eye drops prescribed by your doctor
• CPAP machine
• Cane, walker or crutches that you use or will need following surgery
• List of all medications including names, doses and time taken
• Toiletry items for those staying overnight or extended stay – soap, lotion, shavers, cosmetics, comb/brush, robe, etc.

Also please be aware of the following:

• You must have a ride home from the hospital or your procedure may be cancelled.
• You will need to have an adult available to assist you at home, for at least the first 24 hours.
• You will not be able to operate mechanical devices or use alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.

Preparing to Go Home

• The nursing staff will give you home care instructions on diet, activity and medications
• In general, following your procedure, you will be able to resume eating and drinking. Your nurse will give you and your family member/driver full directions appropriate to your situation.
• Sometimes a procedure may require an overnight stay for additional monitoring.
  

The Elmbrook Memorial surgical team is committed to making you feel comfortable with all aspects of your care. Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns. For more information about your surgery, please call 262-785-2255.

Elmbrook Memorial Hospital
19333 W. North Avenue
Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 785-2000