Some surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients who do not need to be monitored overnight can leave the hospital the same day of their surgery. Once the surgery is complete, patients are taken to the recovery room for careful observation. Once an anesthesiologist decides the patient has satisfactorily recovered from anesthesia, he or she is then discharged with full instructions on what to expect during recovery, contact information for any questions that may arise and, if needed, prescriptions.
Three types of ambulatory care services have been developed to meet outpatients’ surgical needs:
- A. M. Admission: A patient comes to the Hospital the morning or day of the procedure, has surgery, and then is admitted to an inpatient room for a recovery period for one or more days.
- Overnight Observation: A patient arrives at the Hospital the morning or day of the procedure, has surgery, and then is admitted to an inpatient room for an overnight stay.
** If you are receiving A.M. admission or overnight observation services, please see specific instructions about caring for yourself after surgery.
- Outpatient: A patient arrives at the Hospital, has surgery, recovers for a short period of time in the Ambulatory/Same Day Surgery Unit, and then goes home.
Speak with your surgeon if you are not sure which service applies to you.