C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
Your children are your most prized possessions. We appreciate that you will entrust them to us to care for and are prepared to answer your questions. We want you to feel as comfortable and as involved as possible during their surgical experience here.
Why must I not allow my child to eat before his operation?
What should we bring for surgery?
What time should we arrive that day, and when should my child stop eating and drinking?
Can parents come into the Operating Room with Children?
When can I see my child again?
Why must I not allow my child to eat before his operation?
In general, children may eat or drink anything until midnight the night before surgery (breast milk until four hours before surgery). Between midnight and three hours before surgery, only water, Pedialyte® and apple juice are allowed. Then, NOTHING by mouth. Nothing means nothing at all, not even chewing gum! Children must have an empty stomach to receive anesthesia. Due to the risk of serious lung problems from vomiting or regurgitation, surgery will be canceled or delayed if your child eats or drinks past the specified time.
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What should we bring for surgery?
Dress your child in loose clothing, like sweat pants, or even pajamas, if you want. Tight clothing (like jeans or shirts that slip over the head) may be uncomfortable or difficult to wear after some procedures. An extra pair of underwear may come in handy. If your child has long hair, we recommend that it be worn up or away from the face. Remember to bring a favorite toy, book, blanket, pacifier or special comfort item! If your child uses a special formula, Playtex bottle, nipple or sippy cup, bring these with you for your trip home.
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What time should we arrive that day, and when should my child stop eating and drinking?
We will call you the day before surgery (or on Friday if your child's surgery is scheduled for Monday) to let you know the check-in time and when your child must stop eating and drinking. It is important we speak with a caregiver at this time, to review your child's health status and current medications. If we miss you, call the Mott Outpatient Surgery Nurse between noon and 4:00 pm at 734-763-5828 or toll free (877) 368-1316. If you get our voicemail, please leave your name and phone number. We will return your call promptly.
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What about pre-medication?
Sometimes the anesthesia doctor may want your child to have a little medicine to reduce their anxiety, before they go into the operating room.
This is especially true for children who need to have more than one operation over a period of time. They would get this in the holding room. It is either something to swallow, or some nose drops.
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Can parents come into the Operating Room with Children?
It is the philosophy of the University of Michigan Health System Operating Room Services, in preserving operating room integrity and patient privacy, that all non-University of Michigan Health System employees and non-medical personnel be prohibited from the operating room unless prior approval is obtained from the Medical Director. The information from the Mott OR Medical Director is the following:
PARENTS / GUARDIANS PRESENCE DURING INDUCTION OF ANESTHESIA
A. Family centered care is the philosophy of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. To that end, we are supportive of one parent/guardian accompanying their child to the operating room or offsite anesthetizing location for the induction of anesthesia. The Anesthesiology staff will determine whether the parent/guardian can be present during induction based upon medical status and age of the patient.
B. Only one parent or guardian may be permitted to accompany the patient into the operating room or offsite location and be present during induction of anesthesia. That parent/guardian must leave the operating room upon completion of the anesthetic induction, or earlier at the request of the Faculty Anesthesiologist and /or Surgical Faculty. One of the operating room or offsite personnel will be designated to escort that individual out of the operating room and back to the waiting room.
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When can I see my child again?
The recovery room nurse calls parents, once the child has started to wake up. After the surgeon has spoken with you in the waiting room, it might still be 20-30 minutes, or even longer, before you are brought to you child’s bedside.
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Have a question about the Mott surgical experience that wasn't answered here?
Send a message to: ask-mott-or@umich.edu and we will respond as soon as we can. For questions requiring an immediate answer, please call 1-877-368-1316 between the hours of 8:00am and 11:00pm Monday through Friday.