Surgery Waiting Room

To reach the following OLOL waiting rooms, call:

Critical Care Waiting Room - (225) 765-7907
Surgical Waiting Room - (225) 765-5015
Tower Waiting Room - (225) 765-7616
Heart Center Waiting Room (2nd floor near Emergency Department) - (225) 765-8006

Before surgery

Once the patient arrives in the preoperative holding area, preparations for surgery begin. Nurses and anesthesia personnel review the chart, while the operating room is prepared.

During surgery

Once the patient arrives in the operating room, additional preparation for the surgery takes place. Nursing personnel in the operating room and hospital volunteers communicate the patient's progress at regular intervals. The physician speaks with the designated family members when the surgery is finished. After they leave the operating room, most patients spend up to three hours in the recovery room.

After surgery

Family and friends are asked to remain in the surgery waiting room while the patient is in the recovery room. Recovery rooms are restricted areas. Exceptions may be allowed by staff members in the case of pediatric or intensive care patients. The average length of stay is one to three hours, depending on the procedure and patient status. Nurses have additional training required to give specialized care to patients. Each patient must meet certain criteria before he/she can return to his/her room. Those waiting will be notified of the patient's move to a patient room. Staff asks that visitors wait outside the patient's room until the patient is settled and checked by the nurses.

Children and anesthesia

Each child reacts differently to anesthesia. Some children cry and are restless while others tend to sleep. All of these responses are normal. Please ask the nurse about any concerns regarding the child's responses. If the child is having pain, nausea or vomiting, medication will be given according to the physician's order. When the child has awakened sufficiently from anesthesia and is ready to be moved from the Recovery Room, parents or guardians will be called to return to the room with the child.

Reminders

• Upon arriving in the waiting room, family and friends should check in with the staff.
• If staff is not available, nurses from the operating room will contact family and friends.
• OLOL hospital and campus are smoke-free.
• If the surgical patient is a minor, a parent or guardian must remain in the waiting room at all times. Minors may not be discharged from recovery until a parent or guardian is present.
• For further assistance or with other concerns, please contact a member of the staff.