Same Day Surgery Center
973-450-2750

The Same Day Surgery Center is easily accessible and offers the benefits of a private outpatient facility with the comfort and support of a full-service medical center. A wide variety of surgical techniques are available, in specialties including ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, podiatry, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, general surgery, gastroenterology, urology and oral surgery, and the low-risk Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Your physician can advise whether same day surgery is right for you, depending on the type of procedure, your general health and personal circumstances. Surgical patients at Clara Maass have the option of undergoing "bloodless surgery," which allows physicians to perform a range of surgical procedures that would ordinarily include transfusions, by using techniques that dramatically reduce, and virtually eliminate, blood loss.

download this information as a brochure. (PDF)

Preparing For Your Surgery
As a surgical patient at Clara Maass Medical Center, your care will be handled by a highly skilled team of specialists which is headed by your surgeon. The information in this brochure is designed to give you information to prepare you for surgery and recovery.

Your doctor will instruct you to be at the hospital 2 hours or more prior to your scheduled operating time. For all surgical patients it is important that you arrive on time at the hospital, because a delay could mean a cancellation of your procedure.

You must have a responsible adult to drive you home after your surgery or your surgery will be cancelled.

Upon Your Arrival At The Hospital
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by the concierge, who is there to assist you in any way possible and to address your questions and concerns. It is here that all necessary information will be obtained from you regarding your registration and insurance information if you have not already registered during PAT.

An identification bracelet will be placed on your arm to ensure proper identification of you as a patient during your hospital stay. You will then be escorted to the Pre-Operative area. We ask that only one visitor accompany you into this area to maintain patient privacy and comfort.

Pre-Operative Area
You will be given a hospital gown to get changed into. A garment bag will be provided for you to put your clothes into and secured while you are in surgery. The nursing staff will collect your health information; check your temperature and blood pressure as well carry out doctors’ orders, such as starting an I.V., lab work or preoperative medication. They will also review in detail any medications that you are taking, so please remember to bring a list of your medications with you the day of surgery.

Prior to surgery, you will meet your Anesthesiologist who will review your medical history and the type of anesthesia you will receive during the surgery. A consent form for anesthesia will be obtained also at this time.

Inside The Operating Room
Once in the operating room you will meet your O.R. team which consists of your anesthesiologist, surgeon, an O.R. nurse and the surgical assistant. As a team they provide a sterile and safe surgical environment for patients. Monitors will be placed on you by your anesthesiologist to monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the surgical procedure.

After Your Surgery
You will be taken to the Recovery Room area where a registered nurse specialty trained in post-operative care will care for you. Your vital signs will be monitored frequently as well as your level of pain that you are experiencing. Pain medication will be available as needed, and your nurse will ask you to describe your pain on a scale from 0 to 10.

As the anesthesia wears off, you will be transferred to our Second Stage Recovery area where you will be rejoined with your family member until discharge. Here you will be assisted out of bed for the first time. The sooner you move around after surgery the quicker your recovery will be. A light snack and drink will be provided.

When you have met the discharge criteria, your nurse will review with you your discharge instructions for your care and recovery at home. For your safety, you will not be permitted to leave the Medical Center alone following the administration of anesthesia. You must make arrangements in advance for someone to drive you home. If you do not have a driver, please contact your surgeon’s office for alternative transportation. A nurse from the Same Day Surgery Department will phone you within 72 hours after your surgery to see how you are feeling and to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Remember the following to ensure a safe surgery and quick recovery:

• Adults do not eat or drink anything after midnight
  before the day of surgery. If you do your surgery
  will be cancelled.
• Wear comfortable clothes that you can take
  off and put on easily.
• Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
• Take your morning medication with a small amount of
  water before coming for your surgery unless advised
  otherwise by the nurse or doctor. Also bring a current
  list of the medications that you are taking.
• Bring your insurance cards, drivers license or
  additional forms of identification.
• A responsible adult to drive you home after
  surgery or your surgery will be cancelled.
• If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardian must
  accompany you to sign the consents for the hospital.

For infants and children:

• Infants 3 months of age to older children can drink clear
  liquids such as water or apple juice up to 2 hours before
  surgery. NO milk, cream or juice with pulp.
• 3 months to 1 year – less than 2 ounces clear liquid
• 1 to 4 years – less than 3 ounces clear liquid
• 4 to 12 years – less than 8 ounces clear liquid

If you get a cold, fever, rash or if your condition has changed, call your doctor. Surgery may need to be postponed.

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