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

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Author: UCLA Health
Categories: Health
Tags: health
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 15:00 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Prepare early by calling the pre-operative evaluation center (PEC), following fasting and hygiene instructions, and arranging child life support, since surgery and hospitalization are stressful for children and parents. The video is an orientation for families of children undergoing pediatric orthopaedic surgery at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica, covering what to expect before, during, and after the hospital stay.

Key Points

  • Expect a pre-op call from the PEC: if not contacted, call 310-319-4742 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. one business day before surgery to learn the admissions report time.
  • Call the surgeon's office if your child develops a cold, fever, or rash, because surgery may need to be postponed.
  • Child Life specialists offer pre-admission and pre-surgical tours and help explain procedures in age-appropriate ways; contact the Child Life office at 424-259-8291 for extra help, or visit uclahealth.org/childlife for more information.
  • Expect pain control, deep breathing, nutrition, mobility, and infection prevention to be the focus after surgery, with physical therapy starting on day one.
  • Plan for a hospital stay of about four to six days for scoliosis-related back surgery, or one to three days for hip and other leg surgeries.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: Before arrival, call the PEC the day before surgery if contacted, and notify PEC staff the day before if you need interpreter services (free of charge). Discuss fasting guidelines with the PEC nurse the day before. The night before surgery, have your child shower and wash their hair; use any special wipes or soap from the surgeon exactly as instructed. Do not bring home medications unless told to, but continue prescribed medications unless the physician says otherwise, taking only a small sip of water with them. Ask the doctor whether to bring medical records, test results, or MRI, X-ray, or CT scans. On the day of surgery, a parent or legal guardian must sign consent for the procedure and anesthesia for children under 18; if you are not the parent or guardian, bring identification and documentation of your authority to consent. Arrange transportation home in advance. Pack only essential items and leave overnight luggage in the car; bring it up after surgery. Clean hands before and after patient contact, and clean your child's hands frequently.
  • Hospital location and parking: UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica is at 1250 16th Street, half a block south of Wilshire Boulevard; head south on 16th Street and the hospital is on your right. Valet parking is at the main entrance. Enter the main entrance, walk straight, turn right, and find admissions in room G314, then go to the surgical waiting room in room 3500 on the third floor.
  • Pager: If waiting in the hospital during surgery, you receive a pager for updates, which has a radius of only 1 mile, so you must stay nearby.
  • Recovery and pediatric unit: Children may wake irritable and disoriented; a familiar item from home can help. Pediatric has 25 private rooms, each with a bathroom and a parent sleeping space, plus a supervised playroom. Visitors under 18 may not spend the night. Use the call light for bathroom help rather than getting up alone, and the bedpan or bedside commode may be used right after surgery.

Bottom Line

Thorough preparation, including calling the PEC, following fasting and hygiene rules, and using Child Life resources, helps families navigate pediatric orthopaedic surgery with less stress.