What to Expect

Trusting Your Orthopedic Health to Kaweah Delta

When you need orthopedic surgical services, we want to make sure you have a very good experience at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. Part of that is making sure you know what to expect during your visit. Below are some resources to help you understand your visit.

Prepare for Surgery

Avoiding Surgical Site Infections (SSI)

Pre-Surgery Planning

It’s helpful to plan ahead and prepare for your arrival home from surgery by doing the following:

• Shop for food and have groceries stocked.
• Prepare meals before surgery and freeze them
• Remove throw rugs or secure floor coverings
• Remove cords or clutter from walkways
• Make sure you have good lighting
• Secure handrails and steps
• Frequently used items should be in safe, reachable distance
• Plan care for pets
• Live in a two-story home? Prepare a place on the first floor
• Are you a care provider? Make arrangements for care during your hospital stay

Pre-Admission and Testing Appointment

When your physician schedules your operation or procedure, they will also schedule a Pre-Admission and Testing Appointment at Kaweah Admission and Testing Services, 1633 S. Court St., in Visalia. This is a very important appointment that you must attend because it allows us to take your complete medical history, past and present. This appointment will be approximately 60-90 minutes and could possibly include additional testing ordered by your physician, i.e. lab, EKG or chest x-ray. For this appointment, please bring the following:

• Identification
• Insurance cards
• Advance healthcare directive
• All medications that you are currently taking in their original containers

What to Bring to the Hospital

While patients may wish to bring personal items to use during your hospital stay, we encourage patients to leave valuables at home. The patient is responsible for any items brought into the facility. Things to bring to the hospital:

• Current list of medications (prescriptions, over the counter, vitamins, and herbal medications), dose, how often taken, and time last dose taken.
• A good, solid, low-heeled pair of shoes (no open back or strapless shoes)
• Hearing aids Glasses
• Dentures or partials
• Loose fitting clothes (for discharge)
• Bathrobe (optional)
• Personal items such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, comb or brush

Admission Time

• Check-in at Kaweah Delta Medical Center's Ambulatory Surgical Center, located on the first floor of the hospital right off of Willow Street
• You'll be given a one-day parking permit to park in Special Services
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day of your surgery unless instructed by your surgeon
• If you are diabetic, please check your blood sugar as normal, but check with your surgeon before taking insulin or pills
• When admitted, talk to your nurse about medications and your complete medical history

After Surgery

Patients can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery. They may be admitted to a short-stay rehabilitation unit for more therapy after discharge. Outpatient physical therapy sessions will usually continue for at least two months to ensure maximum recovery.

Optional: The Broderick Pavilion (11-bed post-surgical unit, based on availablity) - Click HERE to learn more.

Total Joint Camp

At Kaweah Delta, we've developed a mandatory, pre-surgery educational class for people who are getting joint replacement surgery. Taught by our multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, this class will keep you informed about everything from exercises to tips on how to get around, pain control and getting through daily activities after surgery. This comprehensive, pre-operative class is designed to involve a support person or "coach." The coach will also learn the exercises and learn about expectations for post-surgical care.

Total Joint Class

• Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Dates: First four Wednesdays of the month - no class on any 5th Wednesday in a month, or on holidays.
• Place: Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital, 840 S. Akers St. Information: 624-3800