What to Expect

"When you come to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center for surgery, whether it's open heart or a minor outpatient procedure,our goal is to make sure you know you are in the best possible hands. Every staff member, from medical personnel to housekeeping, puts your care first."

Sharon Hoy, RN, Clinical Coordinator

The Surgical Experience

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient surgical services. Inpatient surgery is performed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Outpatient surgery may be performed in the medical center or in Eastland SurgiCenter, the area's first free¬standing ambulatory surgery center. Patients at the SurgiCenter recover in recliners and may leave through a private door. A private prep/recovery area option is available to patients. Patients' families are kept informed of progress and are allowed in the prep/recovery area as soon as the patient is out of anesthesia.

What Should I Do The Week Before Surgery?

Please be sure to arrive on time for your scheduled pre-testing appointment at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's Surgical Staging Unit. Allow one to two hours for the following procedures to be completed:

  • Registration
  • Lab work
  • EKG
  • X-Rays
  • Health history questionnaire (please bring your medications, or a list of, with you)
  • Anesthesia evaluation

If you are not scheduled for a pre-testing appointment, you will need to have any testing ordered by your surgeon completed at least three days prior to your surgery date. You may enter through the Surgical Staging Unit when you arrive for your pre-testing appointment. Please allow 30 minutes to one-hour for all of your testing to be completed.

For patients not having their pre-testing done at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, please call the pre-testing department at (309) 661-5164 from 9 AM to 12 PM or 4 PM to 7 PM to speak with the pre-testing nurse.

The pre-testing nurse will review your health history. Please be prepared to confirm:

  • Your date of surgery
  • Procedure to be done
  • Your medications

The pre-testing nurse will also review any preoperative instructions with you.

If you are having an outpatient procedure, please make sure you have someone available to drive you home from the hospital.

What Should I Do The Day Before Surgery?

Please complete your pre-operative preparations (such as enema, betadine douche, or hibiclens shower) as instructed. Your surgeon's office or the pre-testing nurse will give you instructions on when to stop eating and drinking. If you have not received instruction or are unsure of what to do, you should stop eating, drinking and smoking at midnight. Do not chew gum or suck on breath mints, hard candy, or ice chips.

There is a pre-testing nurse available from 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 5 PM on Fridays to answer any questions. To reach the pre-testing nurse call (309) 661-5164.

What Should I Do The Morning Of Surgery?

Take only the medications you were instructed to take with a sip of water. If you have a fever, are vomiting, have diarrhea, a rash, or cold symptoms (i.e. cough, sore throat, or a cold sore) please notify your surgeon prior to surgery. Your procedure may have to be delayed or rescheduled.

*Please remember that prior to going into surgery, dentures and glasses will be removed.

The following may not be worn during surgery:

  • Fingernail or toenail polish
  • Makeup
  • Jewelry
  • Hairpins or barrettes
  • Contact lenses
  • Wigs

Please arrive at the hospital two hours before your scheduled surgery time. If your insurance company requires a co-pay, you will be expected to pay this at the time of admission.

What Should I Bring To The Hospital?

Please bring with you:

  • Any medications instructed to bring
  • Loose comfortable clothing
  • Toiletries, robe, and slippers (if you will be staying overnight)
  • Inhalers, nitroglycerin, and eye drops (if applicable)
  • C-PAP machine (if applicable)

Please do not bring with you:

  • Fine jewelry
  • Large amounts of money
  • Irreplaceable items

What Happens After I Arrive At The Hospital?

Parking is available in the Surgical Staging parking lot. When you enter the building continue directly ahead into the Surgical Staging Unit/Pre-admission Testing area. A nurse will admit you for surgery. Your family and/or friends may be asked to wait in the waiting area until the nurse has completed your admission process. During this admission process, the nurse will take your vital signs and start an IV. You will also sign your consent for surgery and receive any pre-operative medications ordered by your surgeon. There are lockers available to place any personal belongings.

What Should I Expect Following Surgery?

You may spend approximately an hour or longer in the recovery room before you are taken back to your room either in the Surgical Staging Unit or on the Surgical Floor. While in the recovery room, your surgeon usually meets with your family to let them know how you are doing and to answer any questions they may have. Your family will meet you in your room.

If I Am Having Outpatient Surgery, What Does Discharge Involve?

You will remain in the Surgical Staging Unit or Eastland SurgiCenter approximately one to four hours. You must be alert, take fluids without vomiting, and urinate before discharge. Your nurse will give you written discharge instructions based on your surgeon's orders. Do not drive or drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery. Please plan to have a competent caregiver available to stay with you and assist you the day and night of surgery.

At the time of discharge, your discharge medications will be called into the pharmacy of your choice. Eastland Pharmacy is also available to dispense medications. Payment is required when the medications are picked up and cannot be added to your hospital bill. Many prescription cards are accepted. If you have any questions or concerns during your stay, please ask your nurse.

Maps & Directions

For maps and driving directions, please visit our Facilities & Locations page.

Central Illinois "Firsts"

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center has pioneered many medical advancements to benefit central Illinois residents. Those advancements include the area's first successful birth by cesarean section, nuclear medicine, hospital laser surgery, coil embolization, and anterior hip surgery. In 1990, OSF St. Joseph was the first hospital in McLean County to offer open heart surgery. For more information on our Central Illinois "Firsts," click here.

Contact Information

For more information about inpatient and outpatient surgery at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, call the OSF Call Center at 1-888-6-ASK-OSF or 1-888-627-5673.