Things to plan ahead
There are several things you can do well ahead of your surgery to make the time you spend in the hospital less stressful. Some of these include:
Medical advance directives
All hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid are required to ask adult inpatients if they have formally stated their medical preferences in legal documents called advance directives. If you choose to complete these, they should be completed before you come. If you do not have advance directives and want them, ask for help during your pre-admission visit and we can refer you.
In North Carolina, the types of advance directives are the Living Will and the Health Care Power of Attorney. Visit our Advance Directive page to learn more and download a Living Will and the Health Care Power of Attorney form.
Hospital smoking policy
Mission Hospital maintains a smoke-free environment as required by law to protect health and safety. No smoking is allowed in the hospital or on hospital property. To receive tips on getting through your hospitalization smoke-free, call 828-213-0291 or visit our Smoking Cessation Program page to learn more.
Preparing for your return home
The following list will help you start thinking about preparations you may need to make.
- Ask your doctor how long you will be in the hospital.
- Arrange for help with meals and child care as needed.
- Organize your main living areas for safety and easy access to the bathroom. You will want to avoid heavy lifting, bending or reaching.
- Arrange for a responsible adult 18 years of age or older to pick you up at the time of discharge. Do not plan on driving home. Our policy states that same-day surgery patients having anesthesia must have someone take them home and be with them the first 24 hours after surgery.
- If you need special equipment or continued care after you leave the hospital, a Mission Hospital discharge planner can help make these arrangements for you.
Discharge time
Your physician decides when you will be discharged based on your condition. On the day of your discharge, please make plans to have someone take you home by our expected discharge time of 12 noon.
Donating your own blood
Arrangements for giving your own blood to be used by you during surgery must be planned well in advance of your surgery date. If you prefer to do this, please discuss this option with your doctor.
