ý      Diabetes medication: Please consult with your treating physician.  In general, proper preparation need to be taken several days prior to surgery.. You should not take diabetes medication on the day of surgery.

ý      Heart medication: If you suffer from heart valve disorders, let your physician know so that he can determine the proper antibiotic treatment prior to and post surgery.

Blood Donations

Prior to your surgery you need to bring confirmation of a blood donation or insurance thereof for at least one unit of blood, according to the instructions which you will receive from your surgeon. Blood can be donated at the Hadassah Blood Bank (Ein Kerem or Mount Scopus). You personally can donate blood, up to one month prior to surgery, and if needed you will receive your own blood. You can discuss this with your surgeon according to your medical condition.

It is important for you to notify the medical staff (doctors and nurses) if you are allergic to any medications.

Hospital Admission

ý      The first hospitalization day is generally relegated to admission procedures and various tests, and for the staff and the patient to get to know each other. Surgery will take place the following day.

ý      You should arrive at the admissions office at the entrance to the hospital between 9:00 – 10:00 am. From there you will go the department. There is no need to fast unless you were told otherwise.

ý      In Ein Kerem the Orthopedics Departments are located on the second floor of the main building.

ý      Orthopedics A: Telephone – 677 7894; Head Nurse – Tammy Sagi

ý      Orthopedics B: Telephone – 677 6436; Head Nurse – Leah Sagi

ý      Department secretary: Hila Sandori; Telephone – 677 6342

ý      At Mount Scopus the Orthopedics Department is located on the fifth floor of the main building: Telephone – 584 4512; Head Nurse – Leah Birnbaum

ý      Department secretary: Chava Hasnes; Telephone – 584 4500

If you have any questions or problems prior to surgery you can call the Departments or the respective Department's secretaries.

ý      Usually, there are several patients admitted on any given day and therefore you may have to wait between tests. Your understanding is requested and appreciated. Please come prepared with leisure materials (book, handicrafts, etc.) to keep you busy while you are waiting.

ý      In the Department a blood sample will be drawn, an E.K.G. and x-rays will be preformed as well as any other necessary tests.

ý      Later in the day you will meet:

o        The Head of the Department who will explain the procedure to you, have you sign a consent for surgery form and will mark the place of the surgery on your body;

o        A nurse who will interview you and give you instructions; and

o        An anesthesiologist who will check you and explain to you the type of anesthesia which you will receive.

In general, you are hospitalized until surgery and are unable to sleep at home.

You should notify the staff as soon as possible before surgery if you have a fever, cold or other medical problem which was previously not known.

In such cases, the staff will decide what to do and it is possible that in certain cases surgery will be postponed.

Orthopedics Day Hospitalization

Dear Patient;

In advance of your upcoming surgery, we have prepared the following information in order to familiarize you with various details related to day hospitalization. We hope that this information will ease your hospitalization. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Fever

You should notify the staff as soon as possible before surgery if you have a fever, cold or other medical problem which was previously not known.

In such cases, the staff will decide what to do and it is possible that in certain cases surgery will be postponed.

What to bring with you to the hospital?

ý      Surgery Day Hospitalization referral form

ý      Confirmed financial arrangement from your health fund or other financial payment commitment for surgery day hospitalization

ý      Israel Identity Card (teudat zehut)

ý      Results of blood tests: tests which were requested of you to do at your Health Fund in advance

ý      EKG  - for all patients over the age of 40; chest x-ray – for all patients over the age of 60

ý      Additional test results: You are asked to bring with you any and all x-rays, CT, MRI, and bone scan results as well as any other test results which were performed prior to your surgery.

ý      A recent letter from your family physician regarding your general health and any treatments which you receive

ý      Crutches: In the event that surgery will be performed on your lower extremities, you will need to check with your physician whether you will be allowed to put weight on the leg. If yes, then please bring crutches.

Orthopedic equipment can be borrowed from Yad Sarah.

The Ein Kerem branch of Yad Sarah is located on level T-1.

Telephone: 677 6260

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 14:00

Sunday 10:00 – 13:00

The Mount Scopus branch of Yad Sarah is located on the 1^st Floor.

Telephone: 02-584 4485

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10:00 – 13:30 

Personal Belongings

ý      It is recommended not to keep valuable items or cash in the ward. Bring with you only things that you need.

ý      The hospital is not responsible for the loss of personal belongings.

ý      Dentures – A special container will be provided for their storage. The patient's name should be clearly written on the container. Dentures are considered an item of value and as such are the responsibility of the patient.

Medications

ý      Regular medications: Regular medications should be taken the morning of surgery with a small amount of water. In case of doubt, please consult with your surgeon.

ý      Blood thinners such as: cartia, aspririn, micropirin, voltaren, etopan should be stopped as per the instructions which you will receive from the surgeon or anesthesiologist.

ý      Blood thinners such as: Coumadin, Sintrom and Plavix – Immediately upon receiving your referral for surgery you should consult with your treating physician as to when to stop taking these medications. Do not stop taking these medications without your doctor's permission.  In general, blood thinners need to be discontinued several days prior to your surgery. 

ý      Diabetes medication: Please consult with your treating physician with regard to taking these medications in advance of your surgery. You should not take diabetes medication on the day of surgery.

ý      Heart medication: If you suffer from heart valve disorders, let your physician know so that he can determine the proper antibiotic treatment prior to and post surgery.

It is important for you to notify the medical staff (doctors and nurses) if you are allergic to any medications.

Escort

ý      A capable adult (over the age of 18) is required to escort you to the hospital, to stay with you during your hospitalization and to escort you home following surgery.

ý      It is preferable that a capable adult stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery

ý      Minors (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with signatory rights.

ý      Patients who are not capable of signing the "informed consent form for surgery" must be accompanied by a guardian with court approved signatory rights.

Hygiene and Prevention of Infections

ý      Patients should thoroughly bathe and shampoo their heads in the evening or morning prior to surgery.

ý      Makeup: On the day of surgery you should arrive without having put on makeup and without nail polish on your fingernails and toe nails.

Valuables

ý      Jewelry should not be worn and valuables should not be brought to the hospital.

Fasting

ý      You should fast (no food or drink) from midnight of the night prior to your surgery.

Admission to Day Hospitalization

ý      Administrative arrangements: On the day of surgery you need to take care of all administrative matters in the admission office located adjacent to the Surgical Day Hospitalization Department.

ý      Nursing Admission: In the department, a nurse will do a preliminary interview and will ask you questions about your health and daily functioning, and additional questions which are important in planning your treatment and for your discharge.

ý      Guidance and Explanations: Upon admission you will receive an explanation about the surgical procedure and recuperation.

Awaiting Surgery

We try to minimize the waiting time prior to surgery but one needs to take into account that sometimes a surgical procedure extends longer than planned due to medical considerations and for reasons beyond our control. We therefore recommend that you bring materials to the hospital to keep you busy while you are waiting. We apologize in advance and appreciate your understanding.

Following a telephone call from the operating room, a staff member will come to escort you to the surgical theatre. Your family can accompany you to the door of the operating room and will then wait for you in the family waiting room located outside the operating room suite.

Operating Room

ý      At Ein Kerem, at the entrance to the operating theatre there is a preparatory room where you will be received by a nurse and the anesthesiologist. Here they will insert an intravenous infusion.

ý      In the operating room, you will be hooked up to oxygen at to a monitor.

Recovery Room

ý      Following surgery you will be brought to the recovery room for a short time. Those waiting for you in the waiting room will be notified that surgery has ended. At any given time, one family member may be with you.

ý      In the recovery room you will be under the supervision of a nurse via electronic equipment which will provide information about your health status at any given time allowing for optimal treatment and care.

Return to the Ward and Your Hospitalization

ý      From the recovery room you will return to the Day Surgery Unit for continued recovery and monitoring.

ý      You can begin to eat and drink once the anesthesia has worn off and according to the nurse's instructions. In the unit you will receive a light meal.

ý      You may leave your bed once the effect of the anesthesia has worn off. The first time you leave your bed you must be assisted by a nurse.

ý      Nausea and / or vomiting as a result of the anesthesia is common. You can receive medication to ease these side effects.

ý      In the event that you are in pain following surgery, you may receive pain relief according to your physician's instructions.

Discharge

ý      You will only be discharged from the hospital once the anesthesia has worn off and with the consent of the surgeon or anesthesiologist. Prior to discharge you will receive instructions and guidance for further treatment and a discharge letter with specific instructions signed by your physician. A nurse from the department will discharge you.

ý      If you need extended monitoring, you might be transferred to the Orthopedics Department for anywhere from several hours to 24 hours following surgery.

Follow – Up Visit

ý      You are asked to come to the Orthopedics clinic for a follow-up visit two weeks following surgery unless otherwise stated in your discharge letter.

ý      An appointment need be made through our appointment center: Telephone – 02 – 584 2111, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 – 20:00 and Friday from 8:00 to 13:00.

ý      Please bring with you a confirmed financial arrangement from your health fund or other financial payment commitment.

Instructions for Home

ý      Caution: One should not drive, drink alcohol or operate any machinery or heavy equipment requiring concentration and caution, or make any important decisions for at least 24 hours following surgery.

ý      Mobility: If surgery was performed on the lower extremities, you should not be weight bearing for two weeks or according to your surgeon's instructions.

ý      Surgical incision: You should not remove or wet your bandage until your first appointment in the clinic.

ý      Removal of stitches will take place two weeks after surgery. 24 hours after removal you can bathe normally.

ý      Pain: Pain is common during the first days following surgery. It is recommended that you take pain medication according to your physician's instructions. Taking medication around the clock (every 4-6 hours) will ensure more efficient pain reduction.

ý      Return to normal activity: You can gradually return to normal activity according to the type of surgery you had and in accordance with your physician's instructions.

If you have any questions or problems prior to surgery you can call the Surgery Day Hospital Unit.

Ein Kerem: Telephone – 02 - 677 7194 or 02 – 677 7213

Sunday - Thursday from 7:00 – 15:00

Mount Scopus: Telephone – 02 – 584 4671 or 02 – 584 4482