Preparing for your child's surgery in Fort Lauderdale Hospital

To prepare for your child's surgery, here is a helpful list of what to expect before, during and after the surgery.

Pre-Surgery Blood Work

If your child’s surgical team has instructed you to complete blood work at the Broward Health Medical Center OP/PAT Lab, please use the information below to plan your visit:

  • Lab hours: Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • Appointments: Walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, call 954-355-3433.
  • Check-in and lab location: Stop at the Outpatient Registration desk, then take the main elevators to the Outpatient Surgery lab on the second floor.

Medications before surgery: Follow the specific instructions from your child’s surgeon or nurse. Do not stop or change your child’s medications unless their care team tells you to. Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements your child takes. If you have questions, contact your child’s surgical team.

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 canceled.

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.
  • ✓ 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 in Fort Lauderdale, please enter the main entrance off SE 16th street and S 1st avenue, 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.

Questions about your child's upcoming surgery please call:
(954) 355-3433

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. Be sure to give your child a chance to ask questions and tell you how they are feeling.