Before Surgery
- Notify your physician if you develop an infection or illness.
- Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home.
- Please remove makeup, hairpins, contact lenses and jewelry (including body piercings).
- Any special lab tests or x-rays will be arranged by your physician and available to the center.
- Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that allows plenty of room for post-operative dressings.
- On the day prior to your surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions concerning food and fluid intake.
- Know what medications should or shouldn’t be taken.
- Have someone drive you to and from Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center (ACSC). Someone should stay with you for the first postoperative evening and day after you discharge.
- ACSC staff will call to give you instructions at least 24 hours before your scheduled surgery.
- Bring all your medications with you. If you are staying overnight, you will be taking your own medications. Pharmacy services are not available.
After Surgery
- Specific Instructions will be explained by your doctor and the nurses, and written instructions will be sent home with you. Discharge teaching is a very important aspect of your care and contributes to a successful recovery after your surgery.
- A nurse will call you the day after your surgery to inquire about your health. DO NOT WAIT for this call if you are having any problems – CALL YOUR DOCTOR, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911.
Advanced Medical Directives
By law, patients have the right to develop advanced directives that outline their health care choices should the become unable to communicate those decisions. The center will honor advanced directives not related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Because patients are having elective surgery and are in good health, in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest, it is the policy of this organization to make every attempt to save the life of the individual affected. If you need to be transported to the hospital, effort will be made to communicate your Advanced Directives to the receiving hospital.