Preparing | Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital

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A Patient’s Guide to Preparing for Your Procedure

Our surgical team takes every step possible to provide you with a comforting and confident environment. We answer your questions and give you the information you need to put your mind at ease before and after your surgery. Our skilled nursing staff will monitor your recovery, provide you complete instructions before you are discharged and call you the following day at home to check on your recovery. Click here to view a virtual tour to learn more about what to expect on the day of your procedure.

Prior to Your Procedure
When your physician schedules your procedure, a representative from the Pre-Surgical Testing department will contact you to ask a series of health related questions. Your answers will help your surgical team create an individualized plan of care for you. Depending on your health history or procedure, you may need blood work or additional testing. We ask that you contact your insurance carrier regarding coverage for pre-surgical tests. Some insurance(s) only allow testing to be performed at designated facilities.

A representative from the Same Day Surgery department will contact you the day before your procedure to remind you to arrive 1 ½ to 2 hours prior to your surgery time. Undergoing a procedure can be stressful and we do not want to rush through any questions you may have. Therefore, please make every effort to come at the requested arrival time.

Day of Procedure
Enter on the lower Atrium level (facing Highland Ave.). Volunteers will direct you to the first floor main information desk, from which you will be escorted to your room. After checking into your room you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Your chart is reviewed and you will be asked a series of questions to verify that your health information hasn’t changed. Your family is welcome to sit with you at this time, however please be aware there is a limit of two adult visitors in the patient rooms. If you are in the Ambulatory Services section of our hospital, your family will be instructed on the use of a pager. This pager allows the surgical team access to your family after your procedure. You will wait in your room until it is time for your procedure.

When it is time for your procedure, you will be taken to the Pre-op holding area where your surgical preparation will be started. At this time your family will be directed to the lower Atrium lobby to wait until your surgical procedure is completed. Please have your family sign in at the information desk so our nurse liaison can inform them of your progress.

Once you are in the Pre-op holding area, your chart is reviewed for the final time, and you will be asked to answer the same series of questions as a third check before surgery. Here you will meet your board-certified anesthesiologist and your surgical nurse. At this time you may ask your surgical team any final questions. The temperature of the operating suite is cool, so you will be given warm blankets.

Recovery Room Care
Once your surgical procedure is completed your family will be paged or called to speak with the surgeon. Your family will be paged a second time approximately 30-60 minutes later, to be reunited with you in your room.

While being cared for in our state-of-the-art Recovery Room/Post Anesthesia Care Unit, you will be connected to a monitor and a registered nurse will manage your care. Your pain level will also be monitored and assessed, and the appropriate amount of medication will be given to make you as comfortable as possible. Your time in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit will vary depending on your procedure, vital signs and pain level.

After being discharged from the recovery room, you will be taken to your room to complete your recovery process. Once you have met the recovery criteria, you will be escorted to your vehicle with complete discharge instructions.

For information about what to expect on the day of your procedure, call our Pre-Surgical Testing Department at 630-275-6358, or our Same Day Surgery Unit 630-275-2200.



	3815 Highland Avenue • Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 • (Main) 630.275.5900 • TDD