Before Your Surgery

Community Campus

• A member of the Perianesthesia Department will call you between 1-3 p.m. the last weekday prior to your scheduled surgery with your surgery time, instructions and the time you are to report to the hospital. If you have not been called by 3 p.m., you may call the Perianesthesia Dept at Community Campus - (717) 657-7309.
• The Perianesthesia Department is closed on weekends and holidays.

Harrisburg Campus

• A member of the Perianesthesia Department will call you between 3-7 p.m. the last weekday prior to your scheduled surgery with your surgery time, instructions and the time you are to report to the hospital. If you have not been called by 6 p.m., you may call the Perianesthesia Dept at Harrisburg Campus - (717) 782-3326.
• Please please complete the medication list found in your surgery booklet you received from your surgeon.
• Remember to bring your insurance cards when you come for surgery.
• The admitting floor is closed weekends and holidays.

Instructions Before Your Surgery

• For adults (greater than 12 years of age or a child weighing 110 pounds or greater): NPO (no food) after midnight with a light meal the evening prior to surgery. No more than 6 oz. of clear liquids, 4 hours prior to arrival time to hospital. (Note: soda, black coffee and tea are considered clear liquids.)
• No citrus juices or milk products.
• For children (less than 12 years of age): No more than 4 oz. of clear liquids, 2 hours prior to arrival time to hospital. Breast-fed babies may breast feed up to three hours prior to scheduled arrival time. Formula-fed babies may be given not more than 4 oz. of infant formula up to five hours prior to scheduled arrival time.
• Shower or bathe and brush your teeth.
• Do not wear makeup on the day of surgery.
• All piercings must be removed.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes with flat heels.
• Since eyeglasses, contact lenses, prosthesis and dentures must be removed before surgery, please remember to bring protective containers, or you may want to leave them at home.
• If your surgery is breast or of an upper extremity or if you are having heart or aneurysm surgery, all jewelry, including your wedding band, must be removed. If your wedding band cannot be removed, please go to a jeweler to have it removed.
• Your jewelry, money, credit cards or other valuables should be left at home. Keep no more than $5 at your bedside for newspapers or small convenience items.
• Leave all of your regular medications at home, except inhalers, unless your physician specifically asks you to bring them. Bring any inhalers along with you and give them to your nurse when you arrive.
• Please complete the enclosed medication list.
• Do not smoke after midnight prior to your surgery or procedure.
• Arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home after the surgery or procedure.
• Two adults may accompany children who are having outpatient surgery. Please don’t bring children other than the patient.
• PinnacleHealth does not accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any belongings brought into the hospital except for those that have been deposited in the hospital safe. Patients are urged to leave articles at home that they consider to be of personal value. Belongings that are retained at the bedside are the sole responsibility of the patient.