The Day of Surgery

If your child seems ill with fever, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing or a runny nose on the day of surgery, please call the Admitting Office at (718) 470-3190. Also call if your child has been exposed to a contagious disease like chicken pox or strep throat.

 

Parking

When you and your family arrive at Cohen Children's Medical Center, you can park in the visitor parking garage off of Lakeville Road, or at the valet parking service at the front entrance.

The Ambulatory Surgical Unit provides parking validation stamps that cover the cost of parking for the visitor parking garage, and covers partial validation for the valet in front of the hospital. The stamp pays for the first 24 hours for the visitor parking garage if your child will be admitted after surgery.

The Admitting Office

When you get to the hospital, the first place you will go is to the Admitting Office, Room 112. This is where you and your child will check in and begin the admitting process.

Your child will receive an identification bracelet with his or her full name, birthday and medical identification number. You will be asked to verify that this information is correct multiple times throughout your stay here to ensure your child is provided with the correct medical care.

Please make sure to bring copies of all medical documents and forms that were requested by your child’s surgeon. If any forms were faxed to CCMC, make sure to keep a copy for your records and bring them with on the day of surgery.

Please make sure you to bring the following forms with you:
 

• Pre-Surgical Screening Form
• Immunization Records
• Consultation letters from specialists your child has seen
• Guardianship papers, if needed
• Health Insurance card

 

If your insurance company requires pre-approval or a second opinion, you are responsible for getting it.

 

If you have questions about your insurance coverage, please call your insurance company.

Important Things to Know

Two adults are allowed to be with each child on the day of surgery in both the waiting room before surgery, as well as in the recovery room. One of the adults must be a parent or legal guardian. A legal guardian is someone who is by law, responsible for the care and decisions that are made for a child.

 

If other family members would like to be present for support, we certainly encourage having them close by and ask them to wait in our Pediatric Surgical Waiting Room in the lobby. This is where all parents and family wait during the child's surgery.

 

On the day of surgery your child will need and benefit from your attention. We strongly encourage that you make prior arrangements for other siblings so you can focus on your child. Children under 18 years of age are not allowed in the recovery room.

 

The Ambulatory Surgical Unit (ASU

Here you will meet a nurse who will perform a full assessment of your child. They will record your child's temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. They will also make sure your child's height and weight is current.

 

If you are concerned about your child's level of anxiety about having surgery, please let the nurse know during this assessment. It may be appropriate for your child's anesthesiologist to offer an oral sedative before going to the operating room.

 

Your child will change into a provided hospital gown and pair of socks. The two adults will also be given ID bracelets, which they will need in order to enter the recovery room.

 

You will then meet your child's surgeon, anesthesiologist and operating-room nurse in the ASU waiting area. This is the time to ask any last minute questions before your child's surgery.

 

Entering the Operating Room

 

Your child may walk or ride in a wagon to the operating room. The child may also bring a special comfort item, like a small stuffed animal or pacifier.

 

Depending on your child's age, one parent or guardian can usually go with their child and stay with them until he or she falls asleep.

 

If your child is 12 months of age or younger, please speak with your anesthesiologist regarding the possibility of going to the operating room with your child.

 

For their safety, pregnant women are unable to accompany children into the operating room. Please make sure a legal guardian is present to accompany your child.

 

During Surgery

After your child goes into the operating room, one of the ASU nurses will guide you to the Pediatric Surgical Waiting Room in the lobby. There is a volunteer at the desk that will check in with you. The volunteer will assign you a pager should you need to use the rest room, get a bite to eat or go for a walk. You will be paged if your surgeon needs to speak with you.