Reminder: The legacy One Portal is available until 9/23. Visit the new One Portal

Patient Education

What do I need to know about Anesthesia?

  • Speak up Anesthesia
  • Types of Anesthesia:
    • (retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anesthesia.html)
    • If you are having surgery, your doctor will give you a drug called an anesthetic. Anesthetics reduce or prevent pain. There are four main types:
      • Local: numbs one small area of the body. You stay awake and alert.
      • Conscious or intravenous (IV) sedation: uses a mild sedative to relax you and pain medicine to relieve pain. You stay awake but may not remember the procedure afterwards.
      • Regional anesthesia: blocks pain in an area of the body, such an arm or leg. Epidural anesthesia, which is sometimes used during childbirth, is a type of regional anesthesia.
      • General anesthesia: affects your whole body. You go to sleep and feel nothing. You have no memory of the procedure afterwards.
    • The type of anesthesia your doctor chooses depends on many factors. These include the procedure you are having and your current health.

Preparing for surgery

  • Speak Up: Preparing for Surgery (updated  Wednesday, January 21, 2015)f
  • (retrieved from: http://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/patients%20home/preparing%20for%20surgery)
  • If you are preparing for surgery, there are some critical steps you can take to help ensure the best possible outcome:
    • Ask for a physician anesthesiologist to deliver your anesthesia and/or lead your Anesthesia Care Team.
    • As a general rule, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. Under some circumstances, your physician anesthesiologist may give you permission to drink clear liquids up to a few hours before your anesthesia is administered. Be sure to contact your physician, surgeon or hospital for specific rules prior to your procedure.
    • If you smoke and you’re scheduled for surgery, physician anesthesiologists recommend you take immediate steps to quit and remain smoke-free until at least one week following your procedure—or indefinitely. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to recover from surgery without complications. People who smoke have an increased chance of complications during and after surgery, including wound infections, pneumonia and heart attacks. The earlier you quit smoking before surgery, the lower your chances of complications.
    • Make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after your anesthesia or sedation. You will not be allowed to leave alone or drive yourself home. It is recommended that you have someone stay with you during the first 24 hours. If you have local anesthesia with no sedation, it may be possible to go home without someone to accompany you. Check with your physician first.
    • If you take medication(s) it is important to inform your physician anesthesiologist. Do not interrupt medications unless your physician anesthesiologist or surgeon recommends it.
    • Wear loose-fitting clothes that are easy to put on and will fit over bulky bandages or surgical dressings. Leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
  • Smoke Cessation Algorithm
  • Guide for Smoke Cessation Patient Education Materials
  • Risks of Smoking/Benefits of Quitting
  • Sample Script for Smoke Cessation
  • Center for Health Promotion:
    Evans Hall, Suite 111
    24785 Stewart Street
    Loma Linda, California 92354
    Clinic 909-558-4594 Fax 909-558-0433
    www.centerforhealthpromotion.com
  • California Smoker's Helpline referral form: https://forms-nobutts.org/referral

Pain Management

For Children

Pre-anesthesia Patient Questionnaire

Advance Directive

notification_important One Portal Maintenance
We’re cleaning up One Portal and removing outdated content to improve your experience. For more info or help, contact us.

We’re Stronger Together

We're building the future of clinical care and education to better serve our community.

Learn How