Patients • If You’re Having Surgery

The Day Surgery Center at NCH

The Northwest Community Hospital Day Surgery Center's goal is to make your surgical experience as comfortable as possible. Patients usually have a better experience if they are well informed. So, in preparation for your day surgery, please review Day Surgery and Surgery Date FAQs. If you have questions regarding your surgical procedure and related care, please ask your surgeon, anesthesiologist, or nurse.

Surgery in the Main OR Unit

Pre-admission testing

If you are having surgery that requires anesthesia, you may need to undergo Pre-admission Testing (PAT) prior to your procedure or surgery. We need to ensure that you are healthy enough to safely receive anesthesia. You will receive a phone call from an NCH representative to schedule your PAT appointment.

This appointment is separate from any appointment you may be required to make with your primary care physician, surgeon or specialist prior to your procedure. At PAT, you will meet with an anesthesiologist and nurse to discuss your health history and any previous procedures that included anesthesia. Be sure to tell the nurse or physician about any medications you are taking, and any allergies or past adverse reactions to medications or anesthesia.

You also may need to have taken a:

• Blood test
• Urinalysis
• EKG
• Blood pressure
• Chest X-ray

If you have questions about pre-admission testing, please call 847.618.7250. For more information on pre-admission testing click here for FAQs

Registering for your surgery

You will receive a phone call from an NCH representative to pre-register you for your procedure or surgery. Be sure to contact your insurance company prior to your procedure to verify whether pre-certification is needed for your procedure. Depending on your insurance plan, separate pre-certification may be required for your procedure, your doctor, and your anesthesiologist.

Day of Surgery

A hospital representative will tell you what time you need to arrive and where to go. You will need to bring the following:

• Insurance card
• Written referral from your doctor
• Pre-certification number from your health plan
• A co-payment
• A list of current medications and allergies
• Visa, Mastercard and Discover card are accepted

After surgery

• Make arrangements in advance to have someone drive you home after surgery and have someone stay with you for 24 hours following your surgery

For your convenience

• The Visitor Parking Garage is located directly adjacent to the Day Surgery Center as well as a very limited amount of overflow parking in front of the day Surgery Center
• There is also a canopied area for drop off and pick up
• A courtesy van is available if you are traveling to or from the Hospital campus for medical reasons – call 847.618.6480