General Information
Children's Outpatient Surgery     (614) 722-5200
Children's Surgery Center          (614) 722-2920

Billing Information
Children's Outpatient Surgery     (614) 722-2055
Children's Surgery Center          (614) 722-2055

Other Information
Pre-Admission Testing                (614) 722-3850
Welcome Walk Appointments      (614) 722-2929

Nationwide Children's offers tours for our Surgery Center and Surgery Unit. The appointment includes a tour, a time to explore medical equipment and a question and answer time for your family. To request a tour, you may call us at (614) 722-2929 or complete our Surgery Tour Request Form.

Infants:
Infants are developing a sense of trust, and are learning predominantly through the use of senses.

• Familiar people and objects are important to infants.
• Preparation focuses mostly on parent's questions, but remember that other children in the family may have questions, too. Use simple and honest language that siblings can understand.

Toddlers:
Toddlers are learning how to develop their independence and how to make right-versus-wrong choices. They are gaining increasing independence and self-control.

• Prepare your toddler no more than one day ahead of time.
• Focus on what the child will see, hear, taste, feel and smell.
• Offer your toddler simple choices: Which toy do you want to bring? Which ear do you want the nurse to look in first?
• Explain what the doctor or nurse is doing using terms the toddler will understand and be as non-threatening as possible.

Preschoolers:
Preschoolers have very active imaginations. Sometimes they have a difficult time learning the difference between reality and fantasy.

• Prepare your preschooler no more than three days in advance.
• Focus on what the child will see, hear, taste, feel and smell.
• To build trust, use honest simple language in explaining the event, including things that may hurt or be uncomfortable. Use concrete examples such as, "It will hurt less than a bee sting and be quicker than a commercial on TV."
• Give your child a job to focus on, such as holding the mask or assisting the nurse with the bracelet.
• Try to offer appropriate choices such as what color bracelet or which toy to bring.
• Read books about going to the hospital. Let them play doctor and talk about events that will happen. Demonstrate using a doll or stuffed animal and let the preschooler practice with the toy.

Elementary School-Age Children:
School-age children are learning how to compete and cooperate with others. They are also learning how to meet the expectations and standards set by others.

• Prepare your child about one week ahead of the visit. Be honest and allow your child the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.
• Focus on positive behaviors and strengths, and reinforce them.
• If possible, let your child talk to peers who have had similar experiences.
• Focus on the order of events, including what they will see, hear, taste, feel and smell.
• Be on the lookout for any myths or misconceptions your child may have regarding the experience. Fear of body mutilation is common at this age.

Adolescents:
Adolescents are learning independence, decision-making and self-concept. They are concerned with body image, privacy and peer relationships.

• Talk about what is going to happen and encourage participation in decision making at least one week in advance.
• Be honest and encourage your adolescent to ask the doctor or nurse any questions they may have.
• Respect your adolescent's need to have privacy.

   

Anesthesia gives a person freedom from pain during surgery. There are two types of anesthesia. A "general" anesthetic is a deep sleep caused by drugs given to the whole body. A "local" anesthetic just numbs a particular part of the body.

For more information on our anesthesia process, watch our video!
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Who gives anesthesia?
All general anesthetics are given by members of the Anesthesia Department. The permanent staff consists of physicians (anesthesiologists) specializing in anesthesia for children, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), who act under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologists. In addition, resident physicians and registered nurses rotate through the department while receiving direct instruction in pediatric anesthesia.

Will my child get a shot before surgery?
Probably not. At the present time, sedation (medicine for relaxation) is usually given before surgery in the form of a liquid to swallow, rather than by a shot or injection; however, there are some exceptions.

How is the anesthesia given?
Anesthesia is given to your child by asking them to inhale non-irritating medicated air through a mask placed near his or her nose and mouth. This is called “induction.” Your child may choose a "flavor" (scent) for the mask. After three or four minutes, your child will be asleep. We have found that larger children or teenagers generally prefer to have the anesthesia (called sodium pentothal) injected in their hand or arm, while smaller children do well with the inhaled air. When appropriate, we try to accommodate any patient who has a strong preference for one type of anesthesia over the other.

Where does my child wake up?
Your child will wake from surgery in the Main Recovery Room of Children's Hospital or the Surgery Center Recovery Room, depending on where surgery has been scheduled. In either area, nurses who are trained in this phase of surgery will provide specialized care. An anesthesiologist is always available. As soon as your child is awake, a nurse will come get you.

Will my child be nauseated afterward? Are there any problems I should expect?
A small percentage of patients will be nauseated or vomit after surgery. Children having eye surgery or tonsillectomies are more prone to have this problem. Medication is available if the nausea persists.

If a breathing tube was inserted in your child’s throat during surgery, s/he may have a sore throat or hoarseness for a few days. Intravenous lines are placed in almost all children after they are asleep, and there may be a puncture mark or bruise where the needle was removed.

Will I be able to talk with an anesthesiologist?
Yes. An anesthesiologist reviews the pre-operative assessment with you prior to surgery, discusses the anesthesia and answers any of your questions. If you have concerns about your child's anesthesia and would like to speak to an anesthesiologist prior to the day of surgery, you may contact the Children's Surgery Center at (614) 722-2920 or Children's Pre-Admission Testing at (614) 722-3850.

When you arrive, our staff will ask you to complete a brief medical history. A few simple lab tests may be performed if not previously completed. An anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss anesthesia and answer any questions.

Pre-surgery instructions
To prepare for your child's surgery, please review the following pre-surgery checklist.

• Notify your surgeon if your child develops either a chest cold or fever; has been treated for asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia in the past six weeks; or has been exposed to a contagious disease such as measles, chicken pox or mumps within three weeks before the surgery date. Based on the information you provide, you will then be advised whether or not to bring your child to the hospital for the scheduled surgery.
• Your child will be restricted on what s/he eats or drinks prior to surgery. Specific instructions will be given on the day prior to the scheduled surgery. If food, gum or any beverage other than water, apple juice or breast milk is given to your child within four hours of surgery, the operation may be canceled.
• A parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient to the Surgery Center or Children's Outpatient Surgery area on the day of surgery. Your proof of insurance must be presented at the time of admission.
• Please bring all medical insurance information, such as medical cards and completed insurance forms. You are responsible for being aware of, and in compliance with, your insurance policy requirements and/or regulations.
• We are eager to help you receive your maximum allowable benefits, and will be happy to process your insurance claim for you. However, we may need your assistance to communicate information to your insurance company. If you have any questions or uncertainty regarding insurance coverage or billing practices, please call Children’s Outpatient Surgery Billing at (614) 722-2550 or Children’s Surgery Center Billing at (614) 722-2923.
• Before and after surgery, with clearance from the Children's staff, two adults may visit your child.
• Children under the age of 12 may not visit. Please make child care arrangements for your other children under 12 years of age. If your child is admitted, young children may be allowed to visit.
• Young adults, age 18 or older, scheduled for outpatient surgery must arrange for a designated driver to take them home after surgery.
• We encourage you to bring your child’s favorite stuffed animal or blanket to help make the surroundings a bit more familiar. Please label these items with your child's name.

Your child will recover under the care of specially trained nurses. The anesthesiologist will continue to monitor your child's condition. If you child is having any pain after surgery, the anesthesiologist will decide on pain medication. This may include intramuscular (given by shot) and intravenous (given through the IV) pain relievers or a nerve block with a long-acting local anesthetic. As soon as your child is awake, he or she will be brought back to you. The nurses will answer any questions and give you step-by-step verbal and written instructions as ordered by your surgeon.

If you would like to gauge how your child is feeling at home, click here to download a free pain scale in PDF format.

If you have any difficulty after you arrive home, call your surgeon, Children's Surgery Center or Children's Outpatient Surgery.

Behavioral changes after surgery
Children handle the hospital experience in a variety of ways. These are some things that your child may or may not experience:

• Your child’s behavior may regress, or look like behavior from an earlier age.
• Some children may have trouble with separation and become more dependent on adults.
• Sleeping and eating patterns may change. Remember, these changes are common and temporary. If you have concerns, please talk to your doctor.