Critical Care Waiting Room - 225-765-7907
Surgical Waiting Room - 225-765-5015
St. Mary's Tower Surgical Waiting Room - 225-765-7616

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.

Note: One family member is permitted with each patient before surgery during peak hours, due to limited space and the high volume of patients.

During surgery

It may take a while for the surgery to begin once the patient arrives in the operating room. Nursing personnel in the operating room communicate the patient's progress at regular intervals. The physician speaks with the designated family members at the completion of surgery. From the operating room, most patients spend a short time in the recovery room.

After surgery

Family and friends will be asked to remain in the surgery waiting room while the patient is in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) or recovery room. PACU is a restricted area. Exceptions may be allowed by staff members in the case of pediatric or intensive care patients. The average length of stay is one to two hours, depending on the procedure and patient status. PACU 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 discharge from PACU. The PACU staff asks that visitors wait outside the patient's room until the patient is settled and checked by the nurses.

Children are special little patients

Parents or guardians may stay in the preoperative holding area with their child until surgery time. The physician will speak with parents or guardians while the child is recovering from anesthesia. Each child reacts differently from anesthesia. Some children cry and are restless while others may 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 discharged from PACU, a parent or guardian 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 volunteers. 
• If volunteers are not available, the nurses from the operating room will contact family and friends. 
• Pay telephones are available in the hall by the waiting rooms.
• The hospital is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the hospital campus. 
• If the surgical patient is a child, a parent or guardian should remain in the waiting room at all times. Children cannot be discharged from recovery until there is an adult family member present.
• For further assistance or other concerns, please contact a member of the staff.

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