MIDDLEMAN FAMILY PAVILION AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA KING OF PRUSSIA Pre-procedure Information
550 S. Goddard Blvd. • King of Prussia, PA 19406 • 445-428-3366 • chop.edu
Important Instructions About Eating and Drinking Before Anesthesia or Sedation
Your child’s safety is our top priority.
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Eating or drinking too close to the start of anesthesia could put your child at risk for serious problems during the procedure.
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However, drinking during the allowable time period may help your child feel better before and after anesthesia.
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Please encourage your child to drink before the procedure and follow these guidelines.
No food, candy or gum is permitted after 11 p.m. the evening before the procedure. ONLY the following drinks are permitted until the specified times:
Clear liquids
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Any age child may have ONLY water, Pedialyte®, clear apple juice, clear white grape juice, or sports drinks (such as Gatorade™ or Powerade™ except protein shakes) up to 30 minutes before your arrival time (unless specifically instructed not to drink due to a medical condition).
Breast milk
Infant formula
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Less than 6 months old: up to 3 hours before your arrival time
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Between 6 and 12 months old: up to 6 hours before your arrival time
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Older than 12 months: until 11 p.m. the night before the procedure
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DO NOT add cereal to formula. DO NOT use formula that has cereal already added
For your child’s safety, if these instructions are not followed, your child’s procedure will be delayed or cancelled. Closely supervise your child during this time as many children may “sneak” food. Check your car and car seats for food that may be within reach. Do not send your child to school or day care on the day of the procedure.
Important Information About Medications
Medications
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Bring all of your child’s medications, in the original containers, with you on the day of the procedure.
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Follow the instructions you were given regarding which medications your child should take on the day of the procedure.
Medications for pain or fever
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For 2 weeks before surgery: Your child may not have aspirin, unless approved by your surgeon.
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For 3 days before surgery: Your child may not have ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®), naproxen (Aleve® or Naprosyn®) or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), unless approved by your surgeon.
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Until 11 p.m. the night before surgery: Your child may have acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
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If your child has a fever the night before surgery: You may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Please see below for instructions on whom to call if your child becomes ill or has a fever before the procedure.
To Find Out Your Arrival Time:
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Call 445-428-3366 the afternoon before the procedure between 3:30 and 6 p.m.
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If you have signed up for text messaging, you may receive a text message with your arrival time. This takes the place of the phone call.
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If the procedure is scheduled for a Monday, please call on the Friday before the day of the procedure.
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If the procedure is scheduled for a day after a holiday, please call on the last business day before the day of the procedure.
Add-on Procedure: If your child needs to have an emergency procedure but does not need to be admitted before the procedure, a member of the PACU staff will call you with your arrival time. We will call the phone numbers you gave us at registration. Please be sure they are correct. If you have not been called by noon, call 445-428-3366 for an update.
Other Important Information
Nutritional and other supplements
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For 2 weeks before surgery: Your child may not have any herbal medications, herbal supplements or other nutritional supplements.
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If your child has any herbal products or nutritional supplements during the 2 weeks before surgery, the procedure will be cancelled.
The night before the procedure
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Bathe your child with soap and water. If your child's procedure is for the head or neck area, you may be instructed to wash their hair with shampoo.
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Do not use any lotions, creams or powder after the bath. Use clean pajamas and linen after bathing.
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If you were instructed to give your child a CHG treatment, please remember to follow those instructions carefully.
The day of the procedure
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Add 15 – 30 minutes to your usual travel time to allow for traffic delays and parking.
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Surgery is located on the third floor of the hospital. When you arrive on campus, please park in lot in front of the hospital. Enter through the hospital entrance. Take the elevators to the third floor. When you arrive on the third floor, head to the desk immediately off the elevators.
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Please make arrangements for care of your other children.
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Only 2 adults may be with your child in the patient room.
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Bring an empty bottle or sippy cup, and a special toy or clean blanket for your child.
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Please remove your child’s nail polish, fake nails, jewelry (including any jewelry in piercings) and makeup. Place long hair in pigtails. For any procedure lasting longer than 2 hours, remove any braids or beads in your child’s hair. Hair fasteners must be metal-free.
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If your child wears contact lenses, bring a lens storage case and eyeglasses with you.
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No food or drink is allowed in Surgery Check-In. Additional Instructions
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If you have questions about your child’s anesthesia before the procedure, call 267-425-4689.
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Call 445-428-3366 if:
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Your child becomes ill on the day of the procedure.
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Your child has any food or drink (except clear liquids) after 11 p.m. the night before the procedure.
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You experience any delay on the day of the procedure that may prevent you from arriving at the hospital at the scheduled time.
Finding the Middleman Family Pavilion, King of Prussia Hospital
Go to chop.edu/kingofprussia and click on the “Get Directions” link under the photo.
Talking to your child about the procedure
Visit our website for helpful information about preparing your child for their procedure:
Reviewed January 2024 by Leslie Obermeier, PPCNP-BC, NEA-BC