Pre-operative Care
Upon arrival to the Children’s Hospital proceed to Zone B, Level 2, Patient Registration. Please register with your child’s blue hospital card and/or Health Card. Your child will be given a patient identification wrist band. Continue to the Perioperative Care Waiting Room in Zone D, Level 2 and check in with the volunteer.
Each child may be accompanied by two adult caregivers into the patient care areas. Your child will need your full attention and support.
Please make arrangements for all other children at home.
In Day Surgery a nurse will review your child’s health history, record their height and weight and check their blood pressure, temperature, breathing and heart rate. Your child will be asked to change into a hospital gown before going to the Operating Room.
A child life specialist can provide developmentally appropriate preparation for your child using play, books and hands on exploration of medical equipment. While you wait please enjoy the toys and activities in the playroom.
Operating Room
The nurse who will be caring for your child in the operating room will meet with you in Paediatric Day Surgery. A Support Service Worker will then transport your child in their crib or bed to the operating room. You are asked to wait in the Perioperative Care Waiting Room during your child’s operation.
Once your child leaves Day Surgery please wait for 10 minutes in the Perioperative Care Waiting Room and then take time to care for yourself by eating and drinking.
In the Operating room the nurse will monitor your child’s blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. The anaesthesiologist will give your child anaesthesia (sleeping medicine) by placing a soft plastic mask on his/her face or by giving medication through an intravenous (IV).
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Upon arrival to the PACU a nurse will monitor your child’s blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature. It is not unusual for a child to be confused, disoriented and at times inconsolable after anaesthesia. The volunteer in the Perioperative Care Waiting Room will reunite you with your child after they have settled into the PACU. We are only able to accommodate two adult caregivers at the bedside. Food and drinks are not permitted.
The length of time your child spends in the PACU will vary according to the procedure and your child’s needs. Children who are going to stay in the hospital will be admitted to the Inpatient floor Zone B, Level 6 or Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) Zone D, Level 2. Children who are going home will be discharged from Postoperative Day Surgery.
Getting Ready - To Go Home
The nurse in the Postoperative Day Surgery Area will continue to monitor your child’s blood pressure, heart rate and breathing and will determine when your child is ready to safely leave the hospital and go home. It is important that your child is comfortable, tolerating fluids, and able to get up from their bed.
Medication and follow up appointments will be given as necessary.
