 |
| 
What should I bring to my appointment with the surgeon?
A: Please bring a referral from your child’s pediatrician. You can check with your insurance carrier or pediatrician’s office to find out if a referral is required. Also bring a copy of your child’s insurance card. Please bring along any record or studies, including x-rays or blood work related to your child’s condition.
What insurance carriers does East Tennessee Pediatric Surgery participate with?
A: We accept most major insurance carriers including Aetna, BC/BS, Cariten, Cigna, First Health, Humana, PHP, PHCS, United Healthcare, and all Tenncare. It is always best to contact your insurance company to confirm.
What should I do to prepare my child for surgery?
A: As always, any questions you may have related to your child’s surgery should be discussed with the surgeon. Please refer to our section on specifics of individual surgeries. The hospital will call you the day prior to Same day Surgery to let you know when and where to arrive at Children's Hospital. They will also tell you when to stop feeding your child prior to anesthesia. It is very important to not give anesthesia to children with full stomachs as this can increase certain risks associated with surgery. As always, if your child is ill the day prior to surgery, this may cause a delay or rescheduling of your child’s surgery. Please call our office if your child is congested, wheezing, having a fever or has been recently diagnosed with an infection.
Will my child receive surgery the day of his or her office visit?
A: No. This time is scheduled for consultation with the surgeon. Surgery or follow-up testing will be scheduled at the conclusion of this first office visit.
Can my child be immunized around the time of surgery?
A: The best answer is probably not. For specific immunizations, please speak with your pediatrician.
What about anesthesia?
A: Most parents are concerned about anesthesia for their children. In fact, the incidence of anesthetic reactions is very rare, especially in healthy children. You will have an opportunity to meet the anesthesiologist prior to surgery to answer any questions. All of our anesthesiologists are certified in pediatric anesthesia.
What if I have a question or concern before or following surgery?
A: The physicians and staff are available during regular scheduled hours to answer questions. After hours and on weekends or holidays, there is always a physician on-call to answer any questions.
Where does surgery take place?
A: Most surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis thru outpatient (same day) surgery. Most of this occurs at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. However, all of our physicians are on staff at UT Medical Center and Children's West Surgery Center.
Perioperative Care
Your child’s surgeon will give you instructions after surgery is finished. Your child will have a dressing covering the wound. Usually, this does not require changing unless it becomes soiled. The doctor will remove the dressing when you and your child return for a follow up visit in the office. Keep the area clean and dry. You will also be given instructions for what activity is appropriate, what diet your child may eat and any prescription medications required. Most of your child’s discomfort following surgery can be handled with rest, Tylenol and or Motrin. Signs to look for following surgery include: fever, feeling flush, increasing discomfort at the site of the wound, drainage or blood from the wound, pain not controlled by medication, redness surrounding the wound, persistent vomiting.
Please see specific instructions listed by surgeon under the "POST OP CARE" tab
If you notice any of these signs or you have questions concerning your child, please call our office at 865-546-2131.
Outpatient (Same Day) Surgery
Opened from 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, the unit is located on the 4th floor at ETCH. Tours of the unit take place each Monday and Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. The day prior to your child’s surgery, you will be telephoned to confirm the surgery. If your child’s surgery is scheduled on a Monday, you will be called on Friday evening. If you do not expect to be home, please call the nurse on the unit at (865) 541-8491 after 5:00 PM. You will be instructed on a time to arrive, which is generally an hour prior to your child’s scheduled surgery. You will also be given a time after which your child is not permitted or drink or eat. This is a very important safety measure pertaining to your child’s anesthesia. If your child has developed a cold, cough or fever, please inform the nurse or our office the day prior to surgery. This does not automatically mean that surgery will be cancelled.
The Day of surgery you and your child will be admitted to the unit on the 4th floor of the children’s hospital. You will have a chance to ask any last questions prior to surgery, as well as meet with the anesthesia staff. Your child may also receive medication at this point. You may then follow your child up to the Operating Room. We ask you then to stay in the designated Waiting Room next to the Operating Room, as you will be given updates during your child’s surgery. After surgery is completed, the doctor will come speak to you as your child is being cared for in the Recovery Room. Your child will stay in the Recovery Room for 30 to 60 minutes. You will rejoin your child on the 4th floor after they are discharged from the Recovery Room. The nursing staff will observe your child until ready to go home. This may range from 1 to 4 hours. Your child will be allowed to drink again after completely awake. Before discharge, you will be given instructions and precautions as well as a follow up appointment.
10101010111111111100110011110000111111111100110010001000111100001000000010100000101010101111000010101010101010101100110010101010
|
|  |