Preparing for an Inpatient Procedure
Inpatient surgery is an acute post-surgical unit located in the Wing B Tower of the hospital on the fourth floor.
An inpatient procedure can feel overwhelming, but our teams of dedicated staff are here to guide you every step of the way. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, are at ease, and are ready for your procedure to aid a speedy recovery.
If you are required to attend a Pre-Op clinic, you will be notified by your care provider. Learn more: Pre-Op Clinic Appointment
When preparing for an overnight or extended stay at the hospital, bringing personal items from home can help make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible. Our team of dedicated staff are here to support you and thus, we encourage you to be well-prepared as this has an important impact on your recovery. Please review the list below to help you prepare and note items that are prohibited for the wellbeing and comfort of all in their healthcare journey.
Please bring the following:
- Health Card
- List of current prescriptions and non-prescription medications/supplements (e.g., vitamins, supplements and herbals)
- Care Wishes (e.g., Advanced Directives for Personal Care, Living Will, etc.), as required
- Power of Attorney documents, if applicable
- Supplementary insurance information, if you have extra coverage
- Phone number of the person driving you and/or picking you up
Note: Medications should be in their original containers (medications prescribed and approved for use during your stay will be supplied by your care provider while in hospital).
- Mobile device (e.g., laptop, tablet, cellphone), the hospital has Free WiFi
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Unscented soap/deodorant
- Shaving products
- Shampoo
- Tissue/Kleenex
- Pajamas, night gown, bathroom and/or non-slip slippers or shoes
Learn more about supports in place for patients, including accessibility, language barriers, and resources here: https://www.cmh.org/patients.
Please bring any personal assistive devices that you require for your appointment. For example, any communication or mobility device you many need like a walker, hearing aid, etc.
Kindly note that CMH has a no scent policy. Please refrain from using or wearing perfumes, scented deodorants and scented products before coming to hospital.
Your health, safety, and wellness, including that of visitors, our staff, medical professionals, and volunteers, is important to us.
Please leave the following items at home:
- Scented personal care products (e.g., deodorants, perfumes, after-shave, creams, soaps)
- Important papers or documents (e.g., passports, Will), especially if they are not required
- Jewelry, cash, and expensive clothing
- Alcoholic beverages
While some rooms may have a secure locked/storage for your personal belongings, it is recommended you send these home with loved ones. The hospital is not responsible for missing, lost, or stolen belongings but will do what we can to locate them. In the event a missing, lost or stolen item is recovered, it may be given to our Security team or Patient Experience for holding. For questions about any lost or missing items, please email patientrelations@cmh.org.
Instructions on how to prepare for your surgery will be given by your care provider. Different instructions may follow depending on the type of surgery you are having. In addition to bringing necessary items for any inpatient procedure or extended stay at the hospital, you can also prepare leading up to your surgery. The following can help promote a positive surgical experience when the time comes:
Fever/Cold/Illnesses
Call your surgeon if your health changes or if you develop a cold or any other illness in the week before your surgery.
Food and Drink
Do not eat anything after midnight the night before surgery. Between midnight and 4 hours before your surgery you may drink 8 oz of clear fluid (i.e. water, apple juice, clear tea or black coffee). Absolutely no eating, drinking, sucking on candy or chewing gum should take place during the 4 hours before your surgery.
Medications
On the morning of your surgery, take the medications as listed on the information sheet given to you by your surgeon. You may take a sip of water with the medication.
Smoking/Vaping
Smoking/vaping is not legally permitted on hospital property.
Reducing your smoking and vaping before your surgery is very important. Smoking increases anaesthetic difficulties and breathing problems. Consider using some smoking cessation strategies to decrease your your smoking as soon as you are booked for surgery.
It is important that you plan ahead. When it is time to leave the hospital it is the responsibility of you and/or your loved ones to make sure transportation arrangements are made. If you've had general anesthesia or procedural sedation, you must have a family member, loved one, or friend drive you home. Public or carpool options are not an approved method following surgery, it is highly recommended you have someone you trust to take you home. If you have questions, please speak to your care team.
You must speak to your care provider to find out if you are well enough to go. If you are well enough, you must make your own travel arrangements.
No. This transport is arranged by the hospital.
You may not see your surgeon until your follow-up appointment. Instructions will be given to you about this appointment before you leave the hospital. If you would like your surgeon to speak to your coach or loved one after your surgery, please supply a name and phone number where they can be reached following the surgery. If time permits, the surgeon may try to contact them.
Your surgery may be cancelled due to emergencies, respiratory (e.g., COVID or flu-like) symptoms or if you have consumed food or drink within the prohibited time period leading up to your surgery. Staff will keep you informed of any reason which may delay or cancel your surgery.
Plan to arrive at the hospital 2 hours before your surgery is booked to start. Please arrange for someone to drive you to the hospital and pick you up once your surgery is completed or you have been discharged (if not staying in hospital). For more information on preparing for your surgery, see the "What to Bring" tab for tips.
The night before your surgery, you can eat and drink normally until midnight. Try to avoid spicy and/or gassy foods. No food after midnight, including hard candies or chewing gum, or your surgery may be cancelled. You may drink only clear fluids (water, apple juice, cranberry juice) for up to 4 hours before your surgery time.
You may not see your surgeon until your follow-up appointment. Instructions will be given to you about this appointment before you leave the hospital. If you would like your surgeon to speak to your coach or loved one after your surgery, please supply a name and phone number where they can be reached following the surgery. If time permits, the surgeon may try to contact them.
Your surgery may be cancelled due to emergencies, respiratory (e.g., COVID or flu-like) symptoms or if you have consumed food or drink within the prohibited time period leading up to your surgery. Staff will keep you informed of any reason which may delay or cancel your surgery.