Becoming a patient at Aurora BayCare

You know your body best, so speak up and tell your doctor if something is wrong. Your observations can make a significant difference in your medical care. The more information you share with your doctor, the better they can address your concerns.

Here are a few ways you can prepare for your appointment:

• Track your symptoms: Keep notes on your symptoms. What’s bothering you? When do symptoms appear? And what, if anything, makes them better or worse?
• List your medications: Provide your doctor with a list of all the medications you’re currently taking and dosages, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements.
• Record your family health history: At your first appointment, you’ll be asked to complete a personal and family health history. Be prepared to list your past surgeries. Whenever possible, report any serious illnesses that have affected close family members (parents, siblings and grandparents).
• Consider your health habits: Your doctor will ask about your sleep patterns, exercise habits and diet. They’ll also ask about how much alcohol you drink and if you smoke.
• Plan your discussion: Make a note of any health concerns you want to discuss with your doctor and have a clear idea of what you’d like your doctor to do for you.

Share any information that might be relevant to your health. Ask as many questions as you need to so you can understand your diagnosis, how to treat your illness and how you can prevent it from occurring again.

Find out if you’re expected to see the doctor again for a follow-up visit. And be sure you understand the possible side effects of any medication your doctor prescribes.

Patients undergoing surgery and those requiring overnight care will be treated at Aurora BayCare Medical Center.

When preparing for your surgery:

• If you smoke, quit or at least cut down before surgery. People who don't smoke heal faster than people who smoke.
• Stop drinking alcohol (liquor, beer and wine) the night before surgery.
• Call your surgeon as soon as possible if you have a fever, cold or rash. Surgery may need to be postponed.

Arrive on the day and time set by your doctor's office. If needed, arrange for transportation to and from the hospital.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery, including water, gum or candy.

Ask your doctor if you need to stop any medications before surgery such as blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medicines, herbal supplements and diabetic medicines.

On the day of surgery:

• Only take the medications you were instructed to take by your doctor with a sip of water.
• Shower or bathe the night before or the morning of surgery with antibacterial soap.
• Do not apply any lotion, powder, perfume or deodorant after bathing.
• Remove all makeup, including lipstick and nail polish.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Remove jewelry, including rings, earrings and body piercings.

Insurance, identification and medical records

• Photo identification, such as a driver’s license, military or government issued ID
• All medical insurance cards, including Medicare or Medicaid cards, if applicable
• Employer information for worker's compensation claims
• Responsible party information (person responsible for the bill)
• Personal information such as phone numbers, addresses and emergency contact information
• Your doctor's full name, address and phone number
• Preauthorization, referrals and any other information regarding why you are at the hospital
• A copy of your advance directive

Personal Items

• Hearing aids and extra batteries
• Assistive devices (walker, cane)
• Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, denture cup, comb or brush and a razor
• Your favorite slippers and robe
• Reading material (books, magazines)

Cellphones may be used in patient rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the medical center.

Aurora BayCare cannot be responsible for loss or damage to personal property. If you are planning an overnight stay, please do not bring jewelry, large amounts of cash or other valuables.

Before you’re taken to the operating room for surgery, you’ll change into a hospital gown and be provided with an ID bracelet to wear until you go home.

You will need to remove your eyeglasses or contacts. If you usually wear a hearing aid or dentures, ask if you should remove them.

An intravenous (IV) line may be started in an arm or hand vein to provide medications and fluids during surgery.

Your family or friends will be able to wait with you before your surgery.

When you’re getting discharged it’s important to leave making sure you understand your care instructions before you go home.

Surgical patients should ask about:

• Medication (how much and when to take)
• Pain (what to expect, what to do)
• Resuming physical activity
• Resuming sexual activity
• Driving

If you take medications for diabetes, heart disease or other conditions, tell your doctor and ask when you should resume taking them if you stopped before surgery. Ask about possible reactions between your regular medications and your post-surgery medications.

Follow-up care is important to be sure you’re healing and recovering safely. Ask about:

• When and where to return for your first follow-up visit
• Who to call to schedule the appointment
• When your stitches, staples, drainage tube or cast should be removed

Returning to work depends on your surgery and the type of work you do. Your surgeon will discuss this with you.

Inpatient discharge

Our hospital discharge time is 11 a.m. Whenever possible, we ask that you plan to leave by this time once your physician has discharged you. This allows us to prepare your room for use by other patients. Our staff can help you and your family arrange for discharge.

Arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you. If you have sedation or anesthesia, you will need to have an adult accompany you back to your home.

You should stay on a light diet for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Suggested foods include gelatin, toast and soup. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids.

Outpatient

For outpatient surgeries, you can expect to go home one or two hours after returning to the same-day surgery area. You’ll need to have an adult accompany you back to your home.