To prepare for your child's surgery at the Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, here is a helpful list of what to expect before, during and after the surgery.
PASSPort: Pre-Admission Surgical Screening
Registration (10 days prior)
- You will receive a text link to the Tonic registration platform, where you will verify your child's information 10 days before the surgery. Please contact the Patient Access Department at 305-663-8410 if you have any questions or issues gaining access to the platform.
- Optional: Review information about the pre-surgical orientation program with our Child Life Department (ages 3 and up) and register.
Pre-Admission Surgical Screening (PASS) Phone Call (7 days prior)
- A nurse from the PASS team will contact you to review or discuss the child's medical history within 7 days before surgery. If there are any changes in your child's health status (cold, runny nose, etc.) prior to surgery, please contact a PASS nurse as soon as possible by calling 786-624-3404.
Financial Clearance Call (approximately 3 days prior)
- A member of the Pre-Access team will contact you at least 3 days before the surgery to review any financial responsibility and authorizations, if required.
Day Before the Procedure
- The day before the procedure, a member of our Patient Access team will contact you if there are any pending registration documents. Time of arrival and drinking/eating instructions will be sent via text message after 2:30 p.m.
- Diet: Please follow the dietary restrictions instructions for the day before the surgery. If your child does not follow the “no-eating or drinking” instructions as indicated, the surgery will be delayed or cancelled.
Day of Surgery
- ✓ Remember to bring all important documentation including: your child's insurance card, parents'/guardians' identification cards (such as driver's license or passport), and any supporting documents and legal court orders.
- ✓ Add 30 minutes of travel time to account for traffic and parking delays. Patients should have been notified to arrive at least 2 hours prior to their surgery. Please follow the instructions provided in the text message related to the time of arrival.
- ✓ Complimentary valet service is offered 24-hours a day in front of the Central Building (near the Devonshire Boulevard entrance to the campus.) Additional complimentary valet services are available during select hours in the blue and yellow garages.
- ✓ Transportation: Please make sure you have arranged transportation for before and after surgery.
- ✓ Patients 18 years and older must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Please make sure your child does not wear:
- Any jewelry (including piercings)
- Contact lenses (bring eyeglasses)
- Make-up and hair accessories
- Hair gel or hairspray
- Nail polish
To help prevent surgical site infections:
- ✓ Bathe with the anti-bacterial soap (such as Hibiclens Antiseptic) as instructed, the evening before surgery. If surgery is scheduled in the afternoon, also bathe the morning of surgery.
- ✓ DO NOT shave surgical site area.
Upon arrival to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, please go straight to the Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, located near the emergency department, for your surgical check-in and registration. Patients who have completed the expedited registration via text message can visit the electronic kiosk to check-in after obtaining a visitor badge from the security representative. A member of our team will then assist with next steps.
Talking to your child about surgery
Try to prepare your child for what will happen at the hospital. This can help make your child's surgery day as smooth as possible. Honest communication is the best way to prepare your child for your hospital visit. This is the best way to earn and keep their trust. Explain the situation in simple terms so that they can understand. Linked below are helpful resources that explain how to communicate with your child about surgery. Be sure to give your child a chance to ask questions and tell you how they are feeling.
You can also read further for more information on how a Child Life Specialist can help talk to your child through the surgery process.
Pre-Surgical Orientation with the Child Life Department
Our Child Life department is available to help prepare you and your child for what to expect on the day of surgery. It has been noted that patients who participate in this orientation are better prepared for their surgical procedure. A pre-surgical orientation is available upon request and includes:
- Age-appropriate preparation and education about what to expect for their surgical procedure.
- Familiarization with the hospital environment, equipment, and staff.
- Opportunities to ask questions and address concerns using developmentally appropriate language.
- Interactive learning through play and hands-on activities led by a Certified Child Life Specialist.
The Child Life Pre-Surgical Orientation Program is offered for children ages 3 and up. All attendees must be registered before arrival. Please call at least 10 days before your child's scheduled surgery, and a Child Life Specialist will return your call to complete an assessment.