We understand that a child having general anesthesia is a stressful experience for the entire family. At the Park Avenue Ambulatory Surgery Center, you can rest assured that your child is in good hands. We are experts in caring for children and their families. Your child’s surgical team and everyone who helps care for your child will do everything possible to make their experience safe, convenient and comfortable.

Please review the information about what you and your child can expect before, during and after surgery. We hope it will help your family as your child goes through the surgical process — from the pre-operative appointment to the recovery period at home.

Before Your Child’s Procedure

Prior to your child’s scheduled procedure, the Park Avenue Surgery Center and the anesthesia team will schedule phone calls to review your child’s medical history, their physical exam and any medications they are taking. This is also a good time to have all of your questions answered about the facility and anesthesia.

In advance of your child’s review phone call, please complete the pediatric patient paperwork and return it to us.

Items you will need to provide:

• Immunization record
• Medical and dental insurance cards
• Guardianship papers, if necessary
• Any laboratory results, if applicable
• Completed medical history
• List of all medications your child is taking or has recently taken, including prescriptions and over-the-counter
• A list of all allergies your child has, including food (especially latex allergy)

Preparing Your Child for Their Procedure

The prospect of having a procedure and anesthesia can be frightening for any child. As a parent, you are worried too, but remember that your child looks to you for reassurance. You are able to help your child by preparing them as best you can.

Be honest with your child. Tell them why they are having the procedure, in simple terms. Explain that the doctors and nurses will make them comfortable. Give very simple explanations and choose your words carefully. For example, say, “The doctor is going to fix your teeth” when describing the reason for the procedure. Instead of explaining anesthesia by telling your child the doctor is going to put them to sleep, try saying, “The doctor will give you special sleep medicine so you will get to rest while they are fixing your teeth.”

Encourage discussion and questions with your child. Talk with them about how they feel about having a procedure and what will happen when they go to the facility and come home. Emphasize that they are not staying at the facility but get to come home when the procedure is finished.

The Day Before Your Child’s Procedure

The day before your child’s procedure, the facility will call you and review everything you need to know.

• We will let you know your child’s arrival time.
• We will advise on eating and drinking restrictions. It is extremely important you make sure your child follows the eating and drinking restrictions, or the surgery may be postponed or rescheduled.
• We will check your child’s health. It is important that your child be healthy when they have their procedure. Please advise us, and call your doctor, if your child has:
  • Been exposed to an infectious disease such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, the flu, or COVID-19
  • Been experiencing cold symptoms, such as runny nose, cough or fever
  • Had any change in their usual health
  • Taken any aspirin or ibuprofen in the last two weeks
• Please make necessary arrangements to remain at the facility during your child’s ENTIRE stay. If you have other children, you should make arrangements for their care, as they may not be at the facility.
• Please prepare to bring the following items on the day of your child’s procedure:
  • Medical and Dental Insurance card(s)
  • Pajamas or comfortable clothes for your child to wear home
  • Medications prescribed to your child for this procedure

The Day of Your Child’s Procedure

Knowing what to expect on the day of your child’s procedure will help with any anxiety you are feeling.

When you arrive to the facility, the receptionist is located just inside the entrance. You and your child will check in with the front desk staff. After you check in, you and your child will be taken to the preparation area. Everything will be reviewed with you and explained to your child as it is happening.

Your child will change into our pajamas and the nurse will get their vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level. The nurse will listen to your child’s breathing and review their medical history and any medications.

You will then meet the anesthesiologist to review the anesthesia plan. You and your child may ask questions and express any concerns at this time. Depending on your anesthesia plan, your child may then get to drink special medicine that we refer to as “giggle juice” to make them more relaxed. Once your child takes this medication, they may not walk around, as they could fall down and get hurt.

During Your Child’s Procedure

Please remember, as a parent or legal guardian, you must remain at the facility throughout your child’s procedure. We ask that you do not leave the facility during your child’s stay, even while they are having their procedure.

You may wait in the waiting room during your child’s procedure. Please stay in this area, because the doctor will look for you there when the procedure is over. While you are waiting you may use the free WiFi, we will offer you tea, coffee and water, and food delivery is allowed.

You will be reunited with your child as soon as possible after the procedure. Dental procedures take approximately 60 to 90 minutes and surgical procedures may take anywhere from one to three hours.

After Your Child’s Procedure

After your child’s procedure, they will return to the bed they were examined in. You will be taken to your child as they are waking up. For safety reasons, only one parent or guardian may stay with the child in the recovery area at a time.

Your child’s doctor and the anesthesiologist will come in and review post-procedure instructions, including what to expect for the next 24 hours, post-procedure medications (if applicable), any follow-up appointments required, and answer any questions you may have.

Your child will be discharged as soon as they are fully awake, their vital signs are normal, they are able to drink a small amount of liquid without becoming nauseous, and their pain is well managed.

You will receive home instructions explaining your child’s activity, eating and drinking recommendations, pain management, complications to look for and anticipated behavior. Emergency contact information will also be included, in the event you need to contact your child’s doctor.

What You Need To Know About Taking Your Child Home

You may notice that your child will sleep more than usual the first two days after the procedure. They may also experience some nausea or stomach upset and may be a bit unsteady when walking for the first 24 hours. These are usually related to the anesthesia or pain medications and should improve over 24 to 48 hours. If these symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, please call your doctor.

We are a COVID-19-free facility. To learn more about how we are keeping our patients safe, please visit our COVID-19 page.