Your child will be admitted at the Same Day Surgery suite on the sixth floor. The entrance to the hospital is located just east of the intersection of Kingshighway and Children’s Place. Once you turn onto Children’s Place, you can park in the visitor’s garage on your right. An enclosed walkway connects the garage to the hospital on the second floor. You may also enter the hospital at street level. As you enter the lobby, the elevators immediately to your right will lead you directly to the Same Day Surgery suite on the sixth floor.
All hospital visitors, including parents, are required to wear name badges that can be obtained at the first and second floor Information Desks. The Information Desk can also provide directions and validate your parking ticket. Please report promptly to Same Day Surgery at your appointed time.
What to Bring
To help your child feel comfortable and secure, you may want to bring a favorite toy, blanket or other item from home. We will label this item with your child’s name and it may accompany your child into the operating room. If your child is accustomed to a special bottle/nurser or “tippee” cup, bring it as well. A pillow and/or blanket from home can be placed in the car to assist in your child’s comfort for the trip home. Parents may want to bring a note pad and pen to write down questions. Due to temperature variations, a sweater or light jacket is advised.
Admission
It is important to arrive promptly at your scheduled time for admission into the Same Day Surgery unit.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to sign admission papers and surgery consent forms. Be sure to bring all insurance forms and identification cards you think might be needed. This is important information for your child’s medical and hospital records. If your insurance plan requires pre-certification, please inform your surgeon. While welcomed, we encourage you to limit other family members visits on the day of surgery. The child undergoing surgery will need your full attention. The day of surgery can be a long day for children so we encourage you to make other arrangements for siblings. Please do not bring food or drink into the pre-admission area. For information on a child’s progress on the day of surgery, relatives and friends can call the Same Day Surgery unit at 314.454.6174.
Pre-surgery and Anesthesia Evaluation
Upon arrival to the Same Day Surgery Unit, you and your child may meet with a pediatric nurse practitioner or a member of the anesthesia and surgery teams. These specialists will provide a thorough examination to aid in determining the safest and most effective anesthesia or sedation for your child, and to verify the location and type of surgery to be performed.
During this examination, you or your child may be asked questions regarding your child’s current health status. Sometimes, seemingly minor illnesses such as colds and allergies can cause problems during anesthesia and surgery. Occasionally, these minor illnesses raise sufficient concerns that warrant rescheduling the surgical procedure. In the event that your doctors choose to reschedule surgery due to an illness, your surgeon’s office will contact you with a new surgery date.
In the Operating Room (OR), younger children will breathe their anesthesia through a flavor-scented mask. Once your child is no longer aware, an intravenous (IV) line may be placed.
Older children and teens may require their IV to be placed prior to the beginning of anesthesia. Whenever possible, uncomfortable procedures are done while your child is completely under anesthesia.
Most children do not require any blood tests or shots prior to surgery. Before leaving for the OR, your child may receive a liquid medicine to drink just before anesthesia and surgery to provide relaxation or pain relief. A member of the anesthesia staff will explain to you the type of anesthesia that will be administered and will answer any questions. You will also meet the OR team of nurses and physicians who will be caring for your child during surgery. Parents may stay with their child until they leave for the OR.
Anesthesia often affects a child’s breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure. Although anesthesia for children is safe and effective, it occasionally can cause some side effects and has risks. However, a pediatric anesthesiologist is specifically trained to monitor and minimize these effects. If your child’s case presents special circumstances, the anesthesiologist will discuss them with you.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital recognizes pain management and alleviation of discomfort as an important part of your child’s hospital visit. Pain medications may be given before, during or after your child’s surgery. Staff will be continuously assessing your child’s comfort level.