Before leaving the Ambulatory Care Center at Chester County Hospital, verbal as well as written instructions will be reviewed with you and your family/friend. Instructions will include information on wound care—if needed, bathing, activity restrictions, diet, and possible problems to report to your doctor. An emergency contact phone number for your doctor will be provided should you have any questions once you go home.
In general, for 12–24 hours after your anesthesia:
- You may feel nauseous, confused, dizzy, drowsy or clumsy. These side effects decline rapidly but may take several days before they are gone completely.
- Do not engage in any activity that requires you to be alert or coordinated. This includes driving or operating dangerous machinery.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages and only use medication as instructed by your physician.
- Do not make important decisions.
Medications
If you will need medication, your prescription will be sent electronically or phoned to your pharmacy. Your nurse or pharmacist will discuss with you any potential side effects or special dose instructions of all prescribed medications. Always follow the dosing instructions to prevent complications from occurring and report any unusual reactions. If you have stopped any medications in preparation for surgery, ask your nurse or physician before resuming them.
Follow-Up
After discharge from the Ambulatory Care Center, a member of the nursing staff will telephone you within two business days after your procedure to follow your progress and to assist you and your family with any questions that may arise.
Activity
Home readiness rather than street fitness is the goal of ambulatory procedures. This means that you are ready to be discharged to home for recuperation. You should not resume normal recreational or professional activities immediately. Follow your physicianʼs instructions.
(NOTE: You will need to have a driver on the day of your procedure. They will be directed to the area for postprocedure pickup.)
Listening To You
Our goal is to provide patients with the highest quality care and customer service. If you need to address a concern or share a compliment regarding your care, contact your nurse or the Nursing Leadership staff from your unit. It is important to us to address your concerns as promptly as possible; please do not hesitate to bring them to our attention.
During your visit, if you would like to share a compliment or a concern please speak to the charge nurse on duty, or the nursing supervisor. If you wish to provide feedback after your discharge, you may either call or write to Carli Meister:
Carli Meister, M. Sc(A), RN, Director
Customer Relations and Risk
Chester County Hospital
701 East Marshall Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-431-5254
The feedback will be evaluated thoroughly and you will receive a personalized response in most instances within 7 days. You also have the right to send feedback directly to:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health
Acute and Ambulatory Services
Room 532 Health and Welfare Building
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Complaint Hotline: 1-800-254-5164
The Joint Commission
Office of Quality Monitoring
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Complaint Hotline: 1-800-994-6610
Quality Insights of Pennsylvania
Attention: Review Services
630 Freedom Business Center, Suite 116
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Complaint Hotline: 1-800-322-1914
At Chester County Hospital, it is our goal to provide you with safe, high quality care. Your feedback is important to us. You may receive a survey in the mail regarding the care and treatment provided as well as your satisfaction with our services. Your response is appreciated.