Total time involved in surgery varies. It usually takes approximately four to six hours.

The patient's family will be directed to a surgery waiting room. A pager is usually assigned to the patient's family for ease in locating the family during the surgical period. Updates on the progress of the surgery may be given to your family by the chaplain, surgical nurses, surgery liaison personnel, or by telephone. Volunteers are present to assist families in all waiting rooms.

Following your surgery your surgeon speaks with family members. Your family will be informed when to proceed to the family waiting room of the the Cardio Thoracic Care Unit, know as CTCU. The first 1-2 hours is the post-anesthesia phase and no visitors are allowed. About two hours after transfer to CTCU, your entire family will be allowed in for the first visit.

Special Needs
Special needs items such as interpreters, hearing devises, closed captioning, TTX phone, and communication picture boards are available. Please notify the staff of any special needs you or your family may have.

(Arrangements for interpreters are made through patient relations. TTX phones can be obtained for use from ER or the Nursing Supervisor)