After Surgery

• When the surgeon is finished, he or she will meet with you in one of the consult rooms located near the Treatment Center Waiting Room.

• Once the surgery is completed, your child will be taken to the recovery area, where he or she will rest under the care of nurses until the anesthesia wears off. The length of time your child will spend in the recovery room may be different from other patients because some children take longer than others to wake up completely after anesthesia.

• Our goal is to get you back with your child as soon as possible. Once your child is settled, a staff member will come and take you to the recovery area.

• Children wake up from anesthesia in different ways (sleepy, excited, having an upset stomach). Your anesthesia provider and recovery room nurses will make sure your child is safe during this time.

• Medication may be given to your child to help ease his or her pain.

• Your child may be offered something to drink.

Going home

• Before you go home, a nurse will give you instructions on how to care for your child at home.

• A parent or legal guardian must take your child home.

• Your doctor may prescribe a medication, which may be filled at our outpatient pharmacy located here in our hospital.

MyChart

Use MyChart to easily manage the health care needs of you or your family at any time from your computer or smartphone. For no additional cost, with MyChart you can:

MyChart support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spanish-speaking representatives are available. For questions or concerns, or to add more than one child under an account, please call (877) 339-9895 or chat with an online representative.

Visit mychart.stanfordchildrens.org or download the MyChart app for your mobile device

Checklist

Review the new COVID-19 policies:

Review caregiver and visitor rules.

Learn about COVID-19 testing.

Know about health checks at check-in.

Learn about social distancing in the hospital.

Read about masking policy.

MyChart:

Register for a MyChart account.

Download MyChart on your phone or tablet.

Communicating with friends and family:

Pick an app for talking to friends and family.

Test video calls before you come to the hospital.

Preparing for surgery:

Talk to your child about what to expect.

Register at Packard Children’s Hospital.

Call your team if you notice any new symptoms.

Talk to PARC (Pediatric Anesthesia Resource Center).

Know the caregiver rules.

The night before surgery:

Talk to PARC about diet and when to arrive.

Wash your child with CHG wipes given to you by the team. Collect the following:

Photo ID for you and for children over 18 years of age.

Insurance, pharmacy, and Health Savings Account cards.

List of your child’s medications.

Your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or game player.

For infants, bring formula or breast milk in a cooler.

Medical acronyms

• CHG = Chlorhexidine gluconate

• IV = Intravenous, a solution administered directly into the vein

• NPO = Nothing through the mouth, withhold food and fluids

• OR = Operating room

• PARC = Pediatric Anesthesia Resource Center