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Pre-Admission Testing

Approximately one (1) week prior to your joint replacement surgery, you will have basic blood studies, urinalysis, EKG and chest x-rays performed per surgeon’s orders. The Pre-Admission Area is located on the ground floor of the hospital and can easily be found from the main lobby entrance. You may use the Sanford USD Medical Center valet parking services, which are available at the main entrance to the hospital. You should not eat or drink anything for two (2) hours prior to this appointment unless you have diabetes, in which case, you should eat and take your medicine at normal times.

General Information

Valet Parking: You may use the Sanford USD Medical Center valet parking service free of charge.

Diet: We ask that all patients eat a good, well-balanced diet that is high in iron and fiber (unless otherwise instructed by your doctor) prior to and following your surgery. Good nutrition is an important part of recovering from surgery.

Following a healthy diet will help your body in the following ways:

Help rebuild blood cells which you donated prior to your surgery or that were lost during surgery

Help to heal bone, tissue and muscle

Help your body’s immune system fight off infection

Keep your bowels functioning while you are less active and taking pain medication and iron supplements.

Pre-Operative Social Work Consultation

During the physical therapy evaluation, you will meet with a social worker to initiate discharge planning. Needs addressed during this portion include:

Durable Medical Equipment — insurance benefits, contracted providers, assure appropriateness for special needs/situations

Home Health Care — insurance benefits, contracted providers, make referrals

Out-patient Therapy — insurance benefits, contracted providers, schedule appointments, make referrals

Assistance in home — assess availability/frequency/competency, clarify needs, provide information on community resources as needed

Transportation — have patient identify resource, provide information on community resources as needed, follow-up to assure access

Provide copy of plans to patient/coach

Pre-Operative History and Physcial Examination
Your surgeon will schedule an appointment for you to see him at his/her office sometime prior to your surgery for a pre-operative history and physical examination and for you to sign a consent form for your surgery. At this time, you will have the opportunity to ask him any questions you may have regarding your surgery.

Anesthesia

There are two types of anesthesia:

General

Regional - Epidural, Spinal

The preferred method of anesthesia is a regional spinal. The advantages of receiving a spinal are:

Decreased sedation

Decreased bleeding

Decreased blood clots

Decreased nausea

Decreased dry mouth and "scratchy throat"

Receive sedation prior to regional or spinal anesthesia so most people do not remember the events of the surgical preparation or surgery itself.

Modern technology, improved needles and technique make spinal anesthesia easier and more comfortable than in past. The headache experienced in the past from spinal anesthesia is rare due to improved needle tips, which do not tear the dura covering.

Both types of anesthesia are safe and have similar risks. You will speak with an anesthesiologist before your surgery and ultimately he/she will determine the safest type for you.

Additional Details
Dress Code While in the Hospital — Patient gowns are for surgery and bedtime only. We encourage casual attire for all patients. This can include dresses, shorts, culottes, cut-offs and tops for women; and cut-off walking shorts and shirts for men. Appropriate footwear includes sneakers or a flat rubber-sole supportive shoe. No slippers, please.

Newsletter — While in the hospital you will receive a daily newsletter, which will explain the day’s activities to you and answer basic questions you may have regarding the Center for Joint Success.

YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM SANFORD USD MEDICAL CENTER AND YOUR SURGEON’S OFFICE REGARDING THE ABOVE APPOINTMENT DATES AND TIMES.

The Joint Team looks forward to helping you throughout the joint program. If you have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to call the Case Manager, or call the surgery scheduling coordinator at your surgeon’s office.