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Northeast Hospital
Many families find it difficult to talk with their child about his/her upcoming surgery.
Here is helpful information for parents and families and patients whom have surgeries scheduled at Northeast Hospital, 6316 Precinct Road, Hurst, Texas. You may print this, ask your referring pediatrician for a surgery handbook or call for a copy at 817-605-2826. This guide includes the following information:
Before Surgery
Please be certain that your insurance company has been notified. This is known as pre-certification. Pre-certification is often required before the insurance company will pay. Doctors' office staff usually contact insurers, but it your responsibility to be certain that proper procedures have been followed.
Partial payment may be required upon admission. You are responsible for contacting your insurance company before your child's surgery to determine the amount due. Cook Children's accepts Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover cards. In summary, it is your responsibility to:
- Contact your insurance plan to learn how much you must pay for your child's care.
- Contact your insurance company to learn if your bill is being processed.
- Pay Cook Children's for all charges not paid by your insurance company.
- If you have questions or need information about payment, call 817-605-2852.
Please be prepared to bring the following on the day of your child's surgery:
- The child who will have surgery.
- Your current driver's license and one other form of identification.
- Legal documents concerning guardianship, if you are not the child's natural parent.
- A list of your child's current medication, if any.
- All medical information about your child.
- Any special information, instructions or paperwork from your doctor, such as doctor's orders or envelopes from the office.
- Insurance cards.
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Pre-op tour
Free pre-op tours are offered at Northeast Hospital. The tour, for children 4 years and older, introduces you and your child to hospital staff and explains what to expect on the day of surgery. Please reserve a place for your child and family the week before the scheduled surgery. Reservations are necessary. Call 817-605-2826, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Talking with your child about surgery
Many families find it difficult to talk with their child about his/her upcoming surgery. We suggest that you give your child honest, age-appropriate information, rather than leave him/her to worry or be surprised. Involve your child in preparations, such as shopping for Popsicles™ or packing a favorite toy to take to the hospital. Using a toy doctor's kit or drawing pictures of the hospital also can help your child express thoughts. Reading a book about hospitals (check your local library) can be a good starting point for discussion. If you would like additional assistance, contact the outpatient surgery child life specialist at 817-810-1636. Suggested books include: "Why Am I Going to the Hospital?"
Claire Ciliotta and Carole Livingston
"A Big Operation"
Richard Scarry
"Going to the Hospital"
Fred Rogers
"Franklin Goes to the Hospital"
Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark
"KoKo Bear's Big Earache-Preparing Your Child for Ear Tube Surgery"
Vicki Lansky
"Chris Gets Ear Tubes"
Betty Pace
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The night before surgery
It is important that your child get plenty of rest before surgery. Be sure your child bathes and washes his/her hair. This helps us, and helps your child feel better while recovering.
Be sure your child has a well-balanced dinner the night before surgery. Give him/her plenty to eat and drink just before the food and drink cut-off time specified by your doctor. After the cut-off time, be sure that your child has absolutely nothing to eat or drink, not even hard candy, gum, water or ice. It is even best not to brush his/her teeth, as some of the water or toothpaste may accidentally be swallowed.
For your child's safety, it is important that his/her stomach is completely empty prior to the induction of anesthesia. Serious complications could arise with even small amounts of food or water in the stomach. Since children forget and may help themselves to food, they will need to be closely watched. If your child accidentally eats or drinks anything after the cut-off time, you must notify the nursing staff so that proper precautions can be taken.
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On the day of surgery
Sometimes parents are reluctant to eat when a child cannot, but in order to handle the day's activities and attend to your child's needs, you will need energy. We suggest you eat a nutritious meal before waking your child.
Check-in
If you had a pre-op visit, you may go directly to the Outpatient Surgery Department on the second floor at your appointed time. If you received a pre-op telephone interview, arrive in Patient Registration on the first floor at your appointed time. After your child is registered, you will be directed to the Outpatient Surgery Department. Since your child will require all your attention, please do not bring other children. You will be directed to the waiting area and you may stay with your child until it is time to go to surgery.
Your child may or may not be given medication before surgery, depending on his/her individual needs and the procedure involved. After your child is anesthetized and asleep, an IV will be started in most cases, and will remain in place until discharge.
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What to bring on the day of surgery
- A blanket or toy.
- Extra underwear or diapers.
- Comfortable clothes.
- An empty bottle or child cup.
- A pacifier.
- A blanket, towel and a car safety seat (if appropriate) for the car.
- Driver's license or other identification for parent or guardian.
What NOT to bring on the day of surgery
- Children, other than the patient.
- Adults, other than parents or guardians.
- Food or drink, including gum, which the child could eat before surgery.
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During surgery
A parent or adult caretaker must stay at the surgery center while surgery is being performed. In addition, parents or guardians must remain in the waiting room at all times during and after surgery. If you must leave this area, even for a minute, please tell the volunteer or nurse on duty where you will be. Because of limited space, family and visitors other than parents and appointed caretakers may be asked to wait in the Atrium or restaurant.
Children who receive general anesthesia, with or without pre-operative medication, will sleep 60 to 90 minutes after their surgery. However, it is still very important that one parent or guardian remain in the waiting room at all times during and after surgery.
Dining and snacks
Free beverages and snacks are available in the parents' waiting room. Vending machines are also in this area
Smoking
Northeast Hospital is a non-smoking facility. Smoking areas are provided outside the both front entrances. Smokers are asked to stay within those areas and away from the front doors of the building. But remember-if you leave the waiting area for any reason, please tell the volunteer or nurse on duty where you are going and for how long.
Parking
Free parking is available at Northeast Hospital.
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After surgery
You will see the doctor after surgery. During this time your child will be sleeping in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or Phase I. Children wake up after surgery at various times, so the volunteer or nurse will keep you posted on your child's status. Your child will be transferred to the Phase II stepdown recovery room, as soon as he/she is awake. You will be allowed to join your child in Phase II.
If your child is spending the night at the medical center, he/she will remain in Phase I PACU until stable. Then, you will rejoin your child and be escorted to your hospital room. Please be sure to read your Guide to Patient Services (available from your nurse). This booklet offers detailed information about your child's stay at the medical center.
If your child is an outpatient, he/she will be transferred to the Phase II stepdown recovery room when awake. You will be allowed to join your child in Phase II.
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Your child's behavior after surgery
After surgery, your child may seem sleepy, confused, restless or irritable. Your child will be medicated, as ordered by your anesthesiologist, and he/she may be offered something to drink. Please remember that, in most cases, your child will have an IV, which must remain in place until discharge.
Your child's skin may appear puffy and flushed and could be warm to the touch. This normal reaction may continue for several hours and may not disappear until after discharge.
It is important to be calm and to soothe your child as much as possible during his/her stay in recovery. Encourage your child to take fluids and spend time rocking, singing and reading or talking to him/her.
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Before your child goes home
Arrangements for transportation home should be made before discharge. Your child will be released only to the person specified on the consent forms. For your child's comfort on the ride home, please have a blanket, a towel and a car seat/booster seat in the car before dismissal.
When you get home
Not all children respond to surgery and medication in the same way. However, you may expect:
- Vomiting
- Discomfort
- Sleepiness / limited activity
- Warm skin
- Dizziness
To help your child feel more comfortable, we suggest you have at home:
- TylenolTM
- PopsiclesTM
- Apple juice, SpriteTM or 7-UpTM
- Soups
- JelloTM, pudding or ice cream.
If you have questions about your child's post-surgery diet, please ask. We understand that guidelines such as "clear liquids" and "soft, bland" may not be helpful. There are many foods, even on a restricted diet, that will probably taste good to your child.
About two to three days after your child's surgery, a surgery representative will contact you. Feel free to ask about your child's recovery. If you have questions at other times, consult your doctor or you may call us at 817-605-2852.
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