Brookings Health System

Surgical

OR.jpgBrookings Health System offers a full range of inpatient, outpatient (same-day surgery) and emergency surgical treatments to allow you to recover close to home, near the comfort of your family and loved ones.

Our state-of-the-art operating rooms and procedure rooms offer the latest technology in a safe, sterile environment. We have three surgical suites, two procedure rooms and five post anesthesia care units (PACU) with state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation.

Our skilled surgeons and professional support staff provide personalized care to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All surgical staff are Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified. 

Preparing for Surgery

Before having surgery, talk to your surgeon about the planned procedure's risks, benefits and alternative treatments. Once you and your surgeon have decided a surgical procedure is the right option, you will need to prepare the following items for your procedure.

Compile a list of all of your prescriptions plus any over-the-counter medications you are taking, including supplements and eye drops. Putting this list together several days before your procedure will make pre-op phone calls easier for you and the nurse.

The day before your procedure, pack items you will need to bring with you to the hospital. Be sure to include: 

  • A list of your current medications
  • Medicare, Medicaid and/or insurance ID cards
  • Photo ID
  • A case for glasses or contact lenses, dentures and hearing aids
  • An overnight bag if you will be staying the night in the hospital

The day of your procedure, wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown.

A surgical nurse will call you a few days before surgery to confirm your procedure. The nurse will ask questions related to your medical history and your current medications. The nurse will also review your pre-operative instructions, including those for arrival time, medications, eating and drinking, and hygiene. The nurse will also answer any questions you may have.

If you receive sedation and anesthesia, you cannot drive home after your procedure. You must be accompanied with a responsible adult. Most patients should have an adult with them for 24-hours after surgery.

Day of Surgery Instructions

Once you are at the hospital, the same-day surgery nurses will prepare you for your procedure. They will answer your questions and provide your nursing care for your inpatient/outpatient stay. Prior to arriving at the hospital, make sure follow these instructions.

Take your medications as instructed by your surgeon or nurse. Usually prescriptions for heart, blood pressure, breathing, seizures and pain can taken with a sip of water the morning of surgery. 

Make sure you understand the pre-operative instructions the nurse gave you.

For your safety, you MUST follow eating and drinking pre-operative instructions. Your surgery may be canceled if these instructions are not followed. 

  • Remember the time the nurse tells you to stop eating and drinking before your procedure.
  • You may not chew gum, smoke, eat mints or suck hard candy during this time of fasting.
  • You may brush your teeth, but DO NOT swallow water. 

Only take clear liquids if the pre-operative nurse says you may do so. Clear liquids include the following ONLY:

  • Clear broth, black coffee or tea
  • Soda, water, Gatorade (no red or purple)
  • Pulp-free apple, white cranberry or white grape juice
  • Jell-o, popsicles

For your safety, please: 

  • Remove all jewelry, including facial, tongue or body piercings. Leave your jewelry at home. 
  • Do not shave the surgical area 48 hours prior to surgery. 
  • Follow instructions for pre-operative showers.
  • Wear freshly laundered, comfortable clothing.
  • Do not wear make-up or nail polish. 
  • Plan to remove contact lenses before surgery.

After Your Surgery

Your same-day surgery nurse will prepare you for your discharge and review all instructions with you and your adult support person. If you are an outpatient, a nurse will contact you by phone one or two days after your procedure to see how you are doing and if you have any questions or concerns. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will contact you through the mail.

Contact Surgical Services

Please call (605) 696-8075 for more information. After hours, please call (605) 696-9000 and ask for the Nursing Supervisor.

Watch & Learn

Take a tour of our state-of-the-art surgical care unit.


Surgical News

Linder Selected for Inspiring Health Sponsorship

Brookings Health System awarded an Inspiring Health Sponsorship to recent post-secondary graduate Shelbi Linder.

Why is a pink tractor parked in front of the hospital?

If you drive past Brookings Health System on 22nd Avenue between now through April 19, you’ll see a pink tractor parked by the West Entrance.

Breast Conserving Surgery Offers Local Option for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients

Early-stage breast cancer patients now have one less medical treatment far from home with Brookings Health System’s addition of breast conserving surgery.

Available At:

System Providers:

Alan Christensen, M.D.

Alan Christensen, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • General Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Sanford Clinic Brookings
  • Brookings Hospital
Andrew Ellsworth, M.D.

Andrew Ellsworth, M.D.

  • Primary Care
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Brookings - Access Health
  • Brookings Hospital
Dileep S. Bhat, M.D.

Dileep S. Bhat, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Urology
  • Incontinence Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
Donald Bennett, M.D.

Donald Bennett, M.D.

  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Sinus Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Midwest Ear Nose and Throat
  • Brookings Hospital
Dustin Volkmer, M.D.

Dustin Volkmer, M.D.

  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Surgical
  • Brookings Hospital
  • Avera Orthopedics
Emily Abele, M.D.

Emily Abele, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Obstetrics
  • Gynecological Surgery
  • Incontinence Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
Jeffry Dressander, M.D.

Jeffry Dressander, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Brookings Hospital
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
Kenneth Knudtson, M.D.

Kenneth Knudtson, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.5521621621622 stars - 37 reviews
  • Ophthalmology
  • Cataract Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical
  • Brookings Hospital
4.55 of 5 (37 ratings, 12 comments)
Larissa Bennis, M.D.

Larissa Bennis, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Obstetrics
  • Gynecological Surgery
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
Nephi Jones, DPM, FACFAS

Nephi Jones, DPM, FACFAS

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Podiatry
  • Wound Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Wound Center
  • Brookings Hospital
Provider

Peter Looby, M.D.

  • Orthopedics
  • Surgical
  • Orthopedic Institute
Ryan Prusa, DPM

Ryan Prusa, DPM

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Podiatry
  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
Tara Haarsma, D.O.

Tara Haarsma, D.O.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Obstetrics
  • Gynecological Surgery
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
Theresa Oey, M.D.

Theresa Oey, M.D.

Overall Rating

4.7255921052632 stars - 152 reviews
  • General Surgery
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Avera Medical Group Specialty Care
  • Brookings Hospital
4.73 of 5 (152 ratings, 67 comments)
Thomas Tamura, M.D.

Thomas Tamura, M.D.

0 stars - 0 reviews
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Sinus Surgery
  • Surgical
  • Midwest Ear Nose and Throat
  • Brookings Hospital