Planning Your Visit

What to Wear/Bring

Clothing

Please wear comfortable clothing. Avoid jeans and other tight fitting clothing. Following some surgical procedures, patients may have a cast or brace. Please bring clothes that will fit over these items.

Children scheduled for surgery should bring comfortable clothing such as pajamas or a gown to wear home. They may also bring a favorite personal item such as a blanket or toy.

Valuables/Jewelry

Please leave money and valuables including jewelry at home or with a family member. All jewelry must be removed before surgery, including body piercings.

Personal Items

Dentures are generally removed just before surgery. The anesthesiologist will make this decision.Glasses and contacts must be removed before surgery. Please leave them with a family member. Wear minimal make-up, especially the eye area.

Medication

Medical staff should know if patients take medication daily, the name of each medication, the amount taken and how often it is taken. Patients should make a list of these medications and bring it to the hospital. This includes any over-the-counter medication and herbal supplements.

Please take blood pressure medication as ordered and bring it to the hospital. It may be taken with a small sip of water the day of surgery.

Herbal Medication

Patients taking herbs may be at risk for herb-anesthesia interactions. Medical staff need to know if patients are taking herbs. STOP TAKING ALL HERBS ONE WEEK BEFORE SURGERY.

Examples of herbs:

• Ephedra (Ma-Huang; Ephedrine)
• Ginko Biloba
• Ginseng
• St. John's Wort
• Weight Loss Pills (prescribed and non-prescribed)
• "Energy" Pills
• Blood Pressure Medication

Insulin for Diabetes

Patients taking insulin should consult their doctors about managing their diabetes before a hospital visit. The doctor may want to adjust medication on the day of surgery. Please bring the insulin to the hospital.

Asthma Medication

Please bring any inhalers to the hospital. Be sure to inform the assessment nurse about any of the above conditions and medications when reviewing health history.

Diet

Patients should follow the instructions provided by their physician in reference to the intake of solids, formulas, breast milk and clear liquids. This information will also be reviewed during the pre-admission testing visit.

Do not eat or drink anything—not even water or chewing gum—after midnight the night before surgery. This is sometimes referred to as "NPO" on the doctor’s instruction sheet. Eating or drinking prior to surgery can cause patients to vomit stomach contents into lungs, which can lead to pneumonia, lung damage or death. Not following this rule may result in surgery being canceled or delayed.

Illness

If patients develop flu-like symptoms (such as a fever greater than 101ºF) or a persistent and/or congestive cough, please notify the physician prior to coming to the hospital.

Similarly, if patients have recently been exposed to a contagious disease such as measles, mumps or chicken pox within the past three weeks, please notify the physician and pre-admission testing nurse.

Smoke-free Environment

IU Health White Memorial Hospital is a smoke-free facility. The hospital's intention is to create a healthier and safer environment for patients, their families, visitors and employees by eliminating the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Smoking is not permitted within hospital buildings, on the property or grounds.