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UCLA Health - Preparing for Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica

Thumbnail of the video “UCLA Health - Preparing for Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica”
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Author: UCLA Health
Categories: Health
Tags: health
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 15:02 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Prepare for orthopaedic surgery at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica by completing pre-operative steps early, following fasting rules strictly, and arranging help for the home recovery phase. The video walks through what happens before, during, and after surgery, including admission, pain management, therapy, and discharge planning.

Key Points

  • Call the pre-operative evaluation center at 424-259-8060 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) one business day before surgery to confirm your report time and ask when you last ate or drank.
  • Surgery may be postponed if you develop a cold, fever, or rash, so notify your surgeon's office promptly.
  • Post-surgery, daily visits from nurses, physicians, physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT) are expected, and you are asked to actively take part in your therapy and pain management.
  • Limited mobility after surgery raises the risk of skin breakdown, so staff recommend frequent position changes and avoiding rubbing or sliding motions.
  • Discharge planning includes arranging transportation, getting prescriptions filled yourself, and lining up family or friend help for cooking, laundry, and driving at home.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions:
    • Call 424-259-8060 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. one business day before surgery if the pre-operative evaluation center has not contacted you, and ask the registered nurse the time to report to admissions and when you last had food or drink.
    • Do not eat anything after midnight the night before surgery, including gum or candy.
    • Adults may have small sips of only water, Pedialyte, or Gatorade, but only until two hours before arrival.
    • Do not bring home medications unless specifically instructed; do bring your BiPAP or CPAP device if you use one.
    • Complete the admission medication history form (from your physician's office or at uclahealth.org) and bring it, along with a copy of any advanced healthcare directive.
    • Park by valet at the main entrance or check uclahealth.org for other parking; bring only essentials, leave overnight luggage in the car, and wear no jewelry or valuables.
    • Walk straight ahead from the main entrance, turn right at the end, and find admissions in room G314; then go to the surgical waiting room in room 3500 on the third floor.
    • Keep your contact person nearby, since the pager that alerts them to surgery updates has a radius of only one mile.
    • Use your call light for assistance and do not get out of bed on your own.
    • Ask the bedside team members their names and roles; the room's communication board lists them and is updated daily.
  • The hospital is at 1250 16th Street; from Wilshire Boulevard, head south on 16th Street and it is on your immediate right.
  • Language help is available at no cost; notify staff the day before surgery if you have limited English proficiency.
  • Only one visitor is allowed in your inpatient room, and you should notify your nurse if any visitor plans to stay overnight.
  • Hand hygiene (washing or using antibacterial sanitizer) before and after patient contact is standard practice at the hospital.

Bottom Line

Preparing early, following the fasting and medication rules exactly, and lining up help at home are what most affect a smooth orthopaedic surgery experience at this center.