Patients undergoing cardiac surgery will require a brief pre-operative visit to ensure a smooth hospital course. This visit typically occurs 1-3 days before the planned operation. Patients are seen by Dr. Michael Black and their cardiologist for a brief exam to ensure they are ready for surgery. Laboratory work, electrocardiograms and chest x-rays are obtained as needed. Dr. Black reviews the planned procedure in detail with patients and families at this time, and preoperative instructions are provided. For children, our experienced Child Life staff is involved throughout the hospital stay, individualizing patient preparations to the child’s developmental level. When patients arrive at the Medical Center for surgery, they are well prepared for the sights and sounds of the hospital and recovery process.

What to Take to the Hospital

We will provide gowns, personal hygiene items, and for children diapers, formula and pacifiers as needed. Patients might want to bring their own pajamas and slippers, and for children a few special toys or a blanket from home are welcomed. Most children feel better if they have some of their own things close by, while they are here. Please leave jewelry and valuables at home.

The Night Before Surgery

Patients are instructed to bathe and shampoo at home and put on a pair of clean pajamas before bed. They will be instructed exactly when they should no longer eat or drink in preparation for surgery. It is very important that patients go to the operating room with a completely empty stomach.

The Morning of Surgery

Patients will be asked to come to our pre-admissions area (Ambulatory Care Unit) early on the morning of surgery. There, you will meet with Dr. Black and the anesthesiologist, the doctor who will help you or your child sleep comfortably during the operation. Parents can escort their child into the operating room if they would like. While the operation is taking place, families wait in the main hospital lobby and our nurse specialist keeps them informed about how things are progressing. Most surgeries last about 4-6 hours, with much of that time spent on careful preparation and placement of monitoring lines. When the surgery is completed, patients are transported directly to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or adult ICU for recovery. They generally remain there overnight.

The Postoperative Surgical Experience

Once asleep in the operating room, several tubes and lines are placed for careful monitoring and management. These generally remain in place on the day of surgery and include intravenous (IV) lines in the neck, wrist and/or groin, urine (foley) and chest drainage catheters. A breathing tube and ventilator are required during surgery, but with our minimally invasive surgical program, these can often be removed before leaving the operating room.

Patients are usually sleepy but awake upon their return to intensive care, where they will be closely monitored by our nurse and physician teams overnight. To avoid being frightened by the sights and sounds of the PICU, our staff is available to offer a tour of the environment during the preadmission visit. On the first or second day after surgery, patients can be transferred to our Pediatric Unit or Cardiology Floor until ready for discharge. Most patients are ready for discharge 2-4 days following their operation. Throughout the hospital stay, family-centered care is a top priority for all of us, and parents can remain with their children as much as they would like. Upon discharge from the hospital, written instructions are provided regarding any necessary medications and follow-up care. Dr. Black personally contacts the primary care physician to ensure that they are informed about their patients’ surgical experience at California Pacific Medical Center.