Children and Special Needs Adults

Special Care for Children

If your child needs surgery, our care team will make sure he or she receives special care and attention to feel safe and comfortable. To help prepare your child for surgery, please refer to the general instructions in Before Your Procedure and The Day of Your Procedure, as well as the following guidelines for children.

Food and Drink

Children must not eat or drink anything for six hours before arrival to the surgery center. Please do not allow them to chew gum, suck on candy or swallow toothpaste before surgery.

Parental Care

We require at least one parent to remain in the surgery center during your child’s surgery and recovery. Please do not bring other young children along. If your child’s surgery is scheduled near mid-day, you may want to bring lunch or a snack for yourself.

Personal Comforts

Please bring your child’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy for added comfort.

After Surgery

You will be able to be with your child as soon as he or she is awake and medically safe for transfer after recovery.

Care For Special Needs Adults

If you care for an adult with special needs who is having surgery, please refer to the general instructions in Before Your Procedure and The Day of Your Procedure. The following tips can also help prepare a special needs adult for surgery:

Consent

The legal guardian needs to sign the consent for surgery and anesthesia on or before the day of surgery.

Admission

Please bring your loved one’s recent health history and medication information. Please follow the food and drink rules in the Before Your Procedure.

Personal Attendant

As with other patients, special needs patients require a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to remain at the surgery center from admission through recovery. A personal attendant will be required to stay with the patient for 24 hours after discharge.