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

Anita Ailts discusses her experience with Brookings Health’s surgical team and her Mako hip replacement surgery after months of hip pain and immobility.

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


Surgical News

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