Day of Joint Replacement Surgery

From the moment you arrive at EvergreenHealth for joint replacement surgery, you'll be the focus of a caring team of experts. They're committed to getting you ready for treatment and keeping your loved ones informed.

When You Arrive

Bring your insurance card, copay, and pharmacy card (if you have one).

When you come to EvergreenHealth Medical Center Surgery (Blue), EvergreenHealth Medical Center Surgery (Tan) or EvergreenHealth Monroe, you'll see:

• Your Admitting Nurse, who will ask questions about your current health and what preparation measures you took in the days before surgery
• Your Surgeon, who will review your Patient Passport (if you're having knee or hip surgery) that you’ve completed with records of your pre-surgical preparation
• Your Anesthesiologist, who will discuss your anesthesia plan and provide medication to reduce your risk of nausea, a common side effect

Your family is important for support, so they're welcome to stay with you until we take you to the operating room.

During Surgery

In the hospital, loved ones can wait in our waiting room. Our Patient Support Assistant and volunteers are also on hand to answer any questions. 

After Surgery

We'll take you to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), a recovery room where you'll stay for an hour or two. Nurses will monitor your progress as you wake up from anesthesia, and your surgeon will let your family know how you're doing.

Once your recovery phase is complete, you'll most likely be ready to go home. The nurses will review with you and your care provider the discharge information and your medication list. If, however, you require an overnight stay, you will be transferred to a private room on our specialized orthopedic unit, where you will be cared for by orthopedic nurses trained in the unique needs of joint replacement surgery patients. Your family will be able to join you here. During your overnight stay on the orthopedic unit, your care team will monitor your needs and you'll begin to work with your physical therapist before you go home the next morning.