Children And Surgery

To help parents who bring their child to the hospital for surgery, please follow all of the instructions below.

Preparation for admission and surgery

1. On the day of surgery, all children are greeted in Same Day Surgery, first floor, East Building.
   
2. If your child is having day care surgery, he/she will be discharged approximately 1-3 hours after returning from the recovery room. Day Care tonsilectomy patients stay 6 hours after surgery.
   
3. Please do not bring other children to the hospital on this day so we can better support the children who are having surgery. Please make arrangements to have other children cared for at home on the day of surgery.
   
4. Infants and children less than two years of age should receive their regular formula feedings, or breastfed feedings, six hours before surgery.
   
5. Children over two years of age should receive clear fluids, for example, water, ginger ale, or apple juice (not milk or orange juice) three hours before surgery.
   
6. If your child has a condition such as diabetes, exceptions may be made in the oral intake only after consultation between the Anaesthesiologist and family physician or surgeon involved.
   
7. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient (child) on admission in order to sign the consent for surgery and be available after surgery throughout the entire stay.
   
8. You're the Star (a pre-admission program for children ages 4-12 having surgery) is available. This program is designed to provide psychological preparation and support to reduce the stress associated with hospitalization and surgery for children. For information, please telephone (905) 895-4521 ext. 2273

Please bring your Health Card and any insurance information with you.
Other tests - the hospital will notify you of the date and time of other tests.

For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.