• Overview
• Patient and Family Guide
• Surgery

Welcome to Petaluma Valley Hospital and the Surgical Services Department

• Our goal is to make your stay with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible. We hope this information will answer questions you may have before you arrive for surgery. For more detailed information about our services or to schedule a pre-admission appointment, please call our pre-admitting representative Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at (707) 778-2579.
• Please plan on being at Petaluma Valley Hospital one to two hours for your pre-admission appointment. The Day Surgery Unit is located at the back of the hospital adjacent to the Emergency Department. Parking is available there.
• As you anticipate your surgery, it is only natural to feel a little anxious. When you think of questions for your doctor or nurse, write them down.
• Bring a list of all medications you take and the times you usually take them to your pre-op appointment.
• We will try to coordinate any pre-operative tests you will need for your surgery or procedure.
• You may have a phone interview with the pre-admit nurse instead of an appointment.
• We would ask you to please refrain from using cell phones in patient care areas. They can interfere with medical equipment and the care of other patients.

Preventing Infections in the Hospital

Before Your Surgery

• If you get a cold, cough, fever, or any infection or cuts near the surgical area, call your surgeon at once.
• If you smoke, we recommend that you attempt to quit or cut back before your surgery. This is a smoke-free environment with only one area on our campus available for smoking.
• Si usted no habla inglés, favor de traer un interprete con usted el dia de su cita de admisión y el dia de la cirugía. Si necesita el servicio de un interprete, llame al hospital de Petaluma al numero (707)-778-1111 y digale a la operadora
• If you do not speak English, please have an interpreter come with you for your pre-admission appointment and on the day of surgery. Interpreter services are available at the hospital, if needed. If you are a Day Surgery patient and have received any sedation or anesthesia, you must have a responsible adult drive you home after your surgery and stay with you. Your surgery may be canceled if you do not have someone to drive you home and stay with you.
• Bathe or shower the night before or morning of your surgery to reduce bacteria on the skin and help prevent infection.
• Practice deep breathing and coughing. This will expand the lungs and help prevent complications after surgery.
• For Your Safety
• DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight unless your doctor, anesthesiologist or pre-admitting nurse gives you other instructions.
• DO NOT eat candy, breath mints, or cough drops or chew gum the day of surgery.

What to Bring to Hospital

• Comfortable clothes to wear home
• If you are staying overnight or longer, bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and bathrobe/slippers
• You may also bring dentures, glasses and case, contact lenses and case, cane, walker or hearing aid if you need them
• Bring a list of your medications and the time you usually take them if you have not had an appointment witih the Admissions Nurse.
• If you have an Advance Directive for Healthcare or Living Will (en espanol) please bring a signed copy of that document
• Do Not Bring
  • More than five dollars in cash or credit cards
  • Jewelry, watches or other valuables
  • Medications unless the physician or pre-admission nurse tells you to bring them
  • Hair dryer, radio, plug-in appliances, cell phone or any electrical appliances.
• The Day of Your Surgery
• Stay close to home/phone so that we can notify you if your surgery time changes or so we can provide further instructions.

After Your Surgery

• All anesthetics may cause drowsiness, impaired judgment and poor coordination for 24 hours after surgery. Do not drive, sign important papers or make important decisions at this time.
• Visitors/Family should wait in the Day Surgery Waiting Room. Your physician or nurse will provide family and friends with post-surgical information as soon as possible after surgery.
• For patients having general/spinal anesthetic, no visitors will be allowed for one to two hours after surgery, except for parents of a child patient. Siblings of a child patient should remain in the waiting room with a designated supervisor.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals and drink plenty of fluids.
• Instructions from your doctor will be discussed with you and the responsible adult driving you home.
• Checkout Time is 11 a.m. for patients staying more than 24 hours.

Important Phone Numbers

General Information: (707) 778-1111
Day Surgery Unit: (707) 778-2698

Location

Petaluma Valley Hospital
400 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA
(Cross street: E. Washington Street)
The Day Surgery Unit is located at the back of the hospital near the Emergency Department.

Parking

Parking is available in the front parking lot or near the Emergency Department.