Inpatient Surgery: Visiting and Waiting
Some patients need to have surgery during their stay at UW Hospital. You may be admitted the day before surgery or you may be in the hospital for a while before it is decided surgery is needed. You may have family and friends who are able to spend time with you before you leave for the OR (operating room). If you do, your nurse can tell your family and friends the best time to visit with you before you have surgery. Your nurse should know the scheduled surgery time in the late afternoon on the day before surgery. Family members may stay with you in your hospital room until you are taken to the OR. At that time, your family and friends will be directed to the Surgical Waiting Area.
The Surgical Waiting Area is for Family and Friends
The Surgical Waiting Area is on the second floor, in the C5 section (C5/2, just past the D elevator lobby on the 2nd floor). Coffee, tea, magazines, TVs, and computers are there for family and friends to use from 7:30 am until 6:30 pm Monday through Friday. Your family and friends are also welcome to bring something to do while they wait.
If your family members arrive at the Surgical Waiting Area before 7:30 am, a sign directs them to have a seat. When the receptionist arrives, your family will be greeted and one member will be given a disc pager. .jpg)
Family and friends who arrive at the waiting area after 7:30 am will stop at the receptionist’s desk in the Surgical Waiting Area to get a disc pager. Updates will generally be given when surgery starts and every 2 hours until the surgery is done. The doctor will come to the waiting area or call to tell your family about your surgery.
If your surgery is not done when the Surgical Waiting Area closes, your family and friends will be given a different pager. The OR will be informed that they are staying there to wait. Your family and friends will continue to receive updates during your surgery. When you leave the recovery room, they will be told when they can visit you.
More information about the Surgical Waiting Area can be found at the desk in the C Lobby.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 04/30/2012
Copyright © 04/30/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6953
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