Having Surgery
There are different admission procedures and locations where you need to go depending on the kind of surgery you’ll be receiving. Use the guide below to see what to expect. A registration representative will call you prior to surgery to pre-register you for your procedure and answer any outstanding questions you might have.
Anesthesia and Pain Management
Before surgery, the anesthesiologist will review your health history, explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. Be sure to tell the anesthesiologist if you have ever experienced any kind of problem with anesthesia and pain management.
What Will Happen After My Surgery?
If you’re an outpatient, you won’t be allowed to drive yourself home following your surgery for safety reasons. Please make arrangements for someone to drive you home. It’s also strongly advised that you have someone stay with you for 24 hours following your surgery.
Outpatient Surgery
This means you will not be staying in the hospital overnight. Outpatient surgeries may be scheduled at the NCH Day Surgery Center or one of the main operating rooms—depending upon availability and type of procedure. Your surgeon’s office will tell you where you should go for your surgery.
Inpatient Surgery
If you will be staying in the hospital for at least one night after your procedure, then you are scheduled for inpatient surgery. Inpatient surgery is performed in one of the main operating rooms.
Pediatric Surgery
If your child is having surgery at NCH, we will do everything possible to put both you and your child at ease. Depending upon the type of surgery your child is having, the operation will be scheduled at either the Day Surgery Center or in one of NCH’s main operating rooms.
Follow-Up Care
After your surgery at Northwest Community Hospital, your doctors and nurses will check on you often. Depending on the type, you will be given specific follow-up surgery care instructions for your recovery. Be sure to follow them closely so you can heal faster and feel better.
Patient Representative
To reach a patient representative regarding any problems you encounter during your time at NCH, call 847‑618‑4390. If you are calling from within our facilities, dial 4390.
Bring the Following on the Day of Surgery:
- Your insurance card
- If you are staying overnight, your personal toiletries, pajamas, robe and slippers with backs and rubber soles
- A written referral from your doctor
- Any advance medical directives if you have prepared them
- A pre-certification number from your health plan
- Your copayment (Visa®, Mastercard® and Discover® are accepted)
- All of the current medications you are taking in their original bottles—this includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and vitamins
- A list of your allergies
- Glasses case or contact lens case (if needed)
- Any post-surgery equipment if instructed by your surgeon (such as crutches, walker or orthopedic boot)