VOORHEES Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgical Center
Pre-procedure Information
Laurel Oak Corporate Center • 1012 Laurel Oak Road • Voorhees, NJ 08043 • 856-782-8750 • chop.edu
One business day before your child’s surgery:
-
If you have signed up for text messaging, you may receive a text message with your arrival time. This takes the place of a phone call.
-
If you have not agreed to receive text messages, you will receive a call from the surgical center.
-
If the procedure is scheduled for Monday, you will receive a call or text on Friday.
-
If the procedure is scheduled for a day after a holiday, you will receive a call or text on the last business day before the day of the procedure.
Please arrive at the date and time you were instructed.
Important Instructions About Eating and Drinking Before Anesthesia or Sedation
Your child’s safety is our top priority.
-
Eating or drinking too close to the start of anesthesia could put your child at risk for serious problems during the procedure.
-
However, drinking during the allowable time period may help your child feel better before and after anesthesia.
-
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
-
Any age child may have ONLY water, Pedialyte®, clear apple juice, clear white grape juice, or sports drinks (such as Gatorade™ or Powerade™ without protein on the ingredients list) up to 30 minutes before your arrival time (unless specifically instructed not to drink due to a medical condition).
Breast milk
Infant formula
-
6 to 12 months old: up to 6 hours before your arrival time.
-
Older than 12 months: until 11 p.m. the night before the procedure.
-
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
-
Follow the instructions you were given regarding which medications your child should and should not take on the day of the procedure.
-
For 2 weeks before surgery: Your child may not have aspirin, unless approved by your surgeon.
-
Please tell your provider if your child is taking aspirin.
-
If your child has been prescribed daily aspirin, please discuss this with your prescribing health care provider.
Medications for pain for fever
-
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.
-
Until 11 p.m. the night before surgery: Your child may have acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
-
If your child has a fever the night before surgery: You may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Please see the next page for instructions on whom to call if your child becomes ill or has a fever before the procedure.
COVID-19 Testing
Your child may need COVID-19 testing before surgery. Your surgeon’s office will explain more about the testing. For more information go to https://www.chop.edu/covid-19-testing-kids.
Other Important Information
Nutritional and other supplements
-
For 2 weeks before surgery: Your child may not have any herbal medications, herbal supplements, or other nutritional supplements.
-
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
-
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.
-
Do not use any lotions, cream, or powder after the bath. Use clean pajamas and linen after bathing.
-
If you were instructed to give your child a CHG treatment, please remember to follow these instructions carefully.
The day of the procedure
-
Who may come with your child: At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany your child. A second adult may also be present. Additional adults and children are not permitted in the Surgery Center.
-
Parent or legal guardian must be without cold symptoms and must wear masks.
-
Your other children: Please make arrangements for the care of your other children so that you can focus on the child having a procedure.
-
Bring with you: An empty bottle or sippy cup, and a special toy or clean blanket for your child. Your child may bring an iPad® or tablet.
-
Before arriving at the Surgery Center: Please remove your child’s nail polish, fake nails, jewelry (including any jewelry in piercings) and makeup. Please pull long hair away from the face using metal free fasteners. Remove hair extensions if they contain metal. For any procedure lasting longer than 2 hours, remove any braids or beads in your child’s hair.
-
For orthopedic surgery, please bring crutches or brace (if you were given). Bring a pillow for the car and appropriate clothing to fit over a brace or cast.
-
For ophthalmology procedures, please bring sunglasses and/or hat with brim for your child to wear home. This is to keep the sun out of their eyes.
-
Contact lenses: If your child wears contact lenses, please bring a lens storage case and eyeglasses with you.
-
You may eat and drink in the designated parent waiting area after your child has gone into the operating room.
-
After your child has sedation or anesthesia, a parent or legal guardian must be available to take them home.
-
We expect that your child will go home after their surgery. If your child has an unexpected event and needs further evaluation, we will transport them to a hospital for that evaluation and possible admission.
Additional Instructions
Finding the Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgery Center, Voorhees
Go to chop.edu/voorhees 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