Countdown to Surgery: Checklists for Parents

One Month Before Surgery

• Have I discussed my child’s medical history with the surgeon?

  • The reason for the surgery
  • Medications my child is taking
  • Allergies to medicine, food or latex
  • Reactions to anesthesia or to a blood transfusion
  • History of nausea after anesthesia or medication
  • Immunization record
  • Previous illnesses or operations
  • Previous hospital stays (admissions), tests or treatments
  • Anything that might put my child at risk during the hospital visit
  • Have I asked my surgeon about any special equipment I may need at home after surgery?
  • Have I arranged for someone to care for my other children while I am at the hospital?
  • Have I considered contacting the surgical Child Life Specialist at 202-476-5665? 

• Have I done the following?

  • Scheduled a physical exam with my child’s primary care physician within 30 days before the operation
  • Made sure my child's primary care physician completed and signed the medical history and physical examination form
  • Notified Language Services if my child, family or I have special communication needs, such as hearing impairment, visual difficulties, foreign language translation, etc?     
    Language Services: 202-476-5444
  • Received authorization from my insurance company for the operation, if required by my insurance contract
  • Considered bringing my child to the hospital on a Sunday afternoon for the pre-surgical tour?
    
    For more information, call 202-476-3812

One Day Before Surgery

• What should I go over?

  • Does my child have a cold, a fever, a rash or fever blister? If so, please call the surgeon immediately. The operation may be postponed.
  • Have I talked with my child about the operation?
  • Have I reviewed the information about the surgery, anesthesia and “Tips for Preparing Your Child” online? 
  • Has my child taken a thorough bath or shower and removed all make-up, nail polish, piercings, other jewelry and contact lenses? 
  • For post-surgical care at home: do I have plenty of clear drinks, such as water, sugar water, 
    Gatorade, Jell-O, apple juice, pulp-free juices, breast milk, Pedialyte, popsicles? 
  • Do I have a supply of acetaminophen at home? 
  • Have I planned quiet games and activities for my child for after the surgery? 
  • Have I made arrangements for transportation to and from Children’s National? Do I have directions?
  • Have I made arrangements to be with my child or have another adult present while my child recovers at home? 
  • Have I arranged for someone to care for my other children while I am at the hospital? 
  • If I need to cancel my child’s surgery, have I contacted the surgical coordinator at 202-476-3370? 
  • Do I have all of our insurance information ready to bring with me to the hospital? 
  • I was called by Children’s National and was unavailable; did I check my voicemail and return the call to 202-476-3370? 
  • Have I reviewed the eating and drinking guidelines?

Day of Surgery

• What important documents do I bring?

  Please make sure you bring the following information when you check in and register:

  • Picture identification card (for parents and patients over 18)
  • Insurance card for the patient
  • Statement of non-availability, if covered by TriCare
  • Referral/authorization, if covered by an HMO
  • Proof of guardianship (foster parent papers, court orders) if you are not the parents of the patient
  • The “Consent to Surgery” form that your child’s surgeon gave you
  • The original medical history and physical (H&P) exam form completed by your primary care physician
  • Any outside X-ray or other imaging films and/or lab results

• What items can I bring for the comfort of me and my child?

  • Comfortable clothing and a change of clothes
  • Your child’s medications; parent/caregiver medications
  • Containers for glasses, contact lenses or any assistive devices such as hearing aids
  • Your child’s favorite toy, blanket or comfort item
  • Special bottle, nipple, pacifier or sipper cup
  • Something to occupy your time while you’re waiting, such as a cell phone and charger, magazines, knitting or your laptop computer. A free wireless network called “Bear Air” is available to our guests.

• What should I not bring?

  • Valuables, such as jewelry
  • Food or drink into the Surgery Center
  • Siblings and other relatives or friends

  Due to space constraints, we must limit the number of people coming to the hospital to two parents/guardians and the patient. If your child will be staying at the hospital after the surgery, the nursing team will advise you when other guests are permitted. 

  If eating and drinking guidelines are not followed, your child’s surgery will be delayed or cancelled for your child’s safety.