As a patient, you are a part of our team. We think it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery. We believe that when you know what to expect you will not worry as much, and you will recover better from your surgery.
AdmissionYou will either be admitted to the hospital on the day before your scheduled surgery or on the morning of your surgery. Prior to your admission you will need to have pre-admission testing. There are no dietary restrictions on this day.
Pre-admission testing scheduled for Monday through Friday. Go to the General Admitting Office on the first floor of the Gray Building in the main hospital building, located just past Coffee Central, at 7:30 a.m.. You will be asked to complete some forms. You will be given paperwork for your testing and you will be given a personal belongings bag. Go to the the second floor of the Wang Ambulatory Care Center (WACC), Room 290 for a chest x-ray. Go next door to WACC 221 for blood and urine tests and an electrocardiogram (EKG).
When your tests in this area have been completed and you have been given your EKG printout, go to the Cardiac Surgery Unit located on the eighth floor of the Ellison building (Ellison 8). Use the E elevators located in the central hallway of the Ellison building directly opposite the gift shop.
Pre-admission testing scheduled for Sunday and holidays. If your pre-admission testing is scheduled for Sunday or a holiday, it will be done on the Cardiac Surgery Unit. Go to the Cardiac Surgery Unit located on the eighth floor of the Ellison building (Ellison 8). Use the E elevators located in the central hallway of the Ellison building directly opposite the gift shop.
Arriving on Ellison 8
On Ellison 8 you will be met by a nurse who will:
- Orient you to the unit
- Take and record your heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature and weight
- Have you fill out a patient information form to help in planning your care
- Teach you about your surgery and what to expect before and after your surgery
- If you are scheduled for a cardiac catheterization you will be directed to Blake 9 for your scheduled procedure
You will also be interviewed and have a physical examination by a physician assistant. He or she will review your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms, allergies, medications, past surgeries or other hospital admissions you may have had in the past. An anesthesiologist will visit and explain the planned anesthetic. The anesthesiologist will also:
- Explain the medications that will help you go to sleep for your surgery
- Explain any special intravenous (IV) lines used to give fluids and monitor your heart
- Explain the different tubes used for the respirator and to drain fluid from your stomach
- Ask you to sign a consent form to receive general anesthesia
Pre-admission testing may take several hours. Please plan on spending most of the day at the hospital. We will try to finish all testing and teaching as soon as possible.
There is a team of surgical and medical doctors and nurses who will work with you before and after your surgery. The Cardiac Surgical Service is set up to give each patient a wide variety of specialized services and care. While you are in the hospital the following people will be part of your care team:
- Cardiac surgeon physician assistants
- Cardiologist physical therapists
- Chief resident respiratory therapists
- Anesthesiologist case managers
- Surgical residents social worker
- Registered nurses dietitian
- Patient care associates occupational therapists
- Clinical nurse specialist chaplin
The Evening Before Surgery
We ask that your family take your belongings home for safe keeping. This includes all prosthetic devices, clothing, rings, watches, dentures, hearing aids, contact lenses and eye glasses. If your family is unable to bring them home, please inform your nurse and we will lock up your belongings prior to surgery. The evening before your surgery, you can eat a normal meal, but do not eat, drink, or chew anything after midnight. This includes gum, mints, water, etc.
When brushing your teeth, avoid swallowing any water. Bathe or take a shower, washing from your neck down with the antibacterial soap provided. You will then be shaved on the anterior portions of your body. The shaved areas will be painted with betadine.
Free shuttle service 
Partners HealthCare provides a free shuttle bus for Mass General's patients and visitors. Find shuttle schedules, shuttle stops and hours.
