What to Expect When Your Child Arrives for Surgery
Here's an overview of what to expect at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center when you and your child arrive for surgery.
If the operation is being performed at the main campus, check in at Surgery Registration, Location B, third floor. For surgery at Cincinnati Children's Mason Campus, check in at the main registration desk.
Please bring the following:
- Your identification card for your health insurance plan, any claim forms your insurance company requires and your child's Social Security number
- A completed physical exam form signed by your doctor
- Proof of guardianship (for court-appointed guardians)
Bring a favorite stuffed animal.
- Your child may find it comforting to bring a favorite doll, stuffed animal or blanket on the day of surgery.
After you register, you will meet with a nurse, who will check your child's weight, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation level. The nurse will give your child a hospital shirt to wear. Both you and your child will be given an ID bracelet.
Please make sure you both wear the ID bracelet while you are in the hospital. Your child may find it comforting to bring a favorite doll, stuffed animal or blanket on the day of surgery. You can tell your child the item will be given its own ID bracelet or sticker to make sure everyone knows it belongs to you.
You will be asked by different members of your child's health care team about the reason for this day's visit. This is to ensure that all members of the team have the same important information about your child's surgery. For many surgeries, a marker pen is used to mark the site where the surgeon will operate.
Sometimes it is necessary to give a medication before surgery. The medication may be given as a liquid to drink, a shot in the thigh (usually for infants 12 months and younger) or a rectal suppository.
In keeping with the policy at Cincinnati Children's, all female patients age 12 and older, or those who have begun their menstrual cycle, will have a urine pregnancy test prior to receiving anesthesia. They are asked to give a urine sample for this test.
We value your time but occasionally delays do occur. We apologize for any delays with your procedure time. Please ask your nurse about any delays in your child's room or call the phone number provided in the Same Day Surgery room if your child does not go to their procedure on time.
