Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re coming for day surgery or a hospital-based surgery, we focus on the unique needs of your child. PAAMG’s pediatric anesthesia team is composed of physician anesthesia providers (anesthesiologists) only. Providers will be present at all times throughout your child’s surgery. Depending on your child’s age and the complexity of the surgery, a fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist will care for your child.
Please note that the information provided on this website is not appropriate to all patients having surgery and should not be relied upon in making medical decisions. The following questions and answers are provided solely for informational purposes, do not constitute medical advice or guidance, and are subject to the disclaimers contained in this website's Terms of Use. This information should be used only in consultation with an appropriate physician or anesthesiologist. Please contact your surgeon's office or the anesthesia office if you have questions concerning you and your conditions.
Let us know about your cultural or religious practices
If you have personal, ethical or spiritual values that may affect how we work together, we want to know. We will do everything we can to respect your wishes.
Important things to do the day before anesthesia procedure
Find out the time and get eating and drinking instructions. Follow your surgeon’s instructions first and foremost:
• 8 hours before procedure, child can eat solid foods
• 6 hours before procedure, child can drink formula
• 4 hours before procedure, child can drink breast milk
• 2 hours before procedure, child can drink water, non-pulp apple juice or pedialyte
Important things to bring
Court Papers: Bring any legal papers giving custody or guardianship. If you are not a parent with legal custody, bring legal papers that allow you to admit your child to the hospital or consent to your child’s surgery.
List of Medicines: Bring a list of prescription and non-prescription medicines and vitamin supplements your child is taking, including the name, dosage and concentration. If you do not have a list, feel free to bring the actual bottles of medicine or vitamins.
Clothing: Providence Alaska Medical Center provides gowns and footwear, but your child may feel better in their own clothes, like sweat pants, large t-shirts, socks, underwear, pajamas etc. Also bring an extra change of loose comfortable clothes.
Listen
Listen to your child.
Be honest with your child
Be honest about what will happen and what may hurt.
Use simple terms
Use short, simple terms they know.
If something hurts, there are ways to help
Reassure them that if something hurts, there are ways to help the pain, including medicine, relaxation, listening to music and playing games.
Encourage questions and talk about fears
Use one of their stuffed animals to show what will happen and encourage him or her to ask questions and talk about their fears.
Explain special medicine to help them fall asleep
Explain that they will have special medicine to help them fall asleep for the surgery, and that they will wake up when the surgery or procedure is over.
You will be with them after surgery
Reassure them that you will be with them after they wake up.
Uneasy with talk, try again
If your child seems uneasy with talk about the hospital or their surgery procedure, stop and try again later.
Going to the hospital
Reassure them that having to go to the hospital does not mean they have done something wrong.
Do not allow your child to eat or drink
Follow the instructions you are given before your child’s surgery or procedure or your child may not be able to have it.
Give your child a bath
If given to you, use the Hibiciens cleanser as directed by your healthcare provider. Pay special attention to the surgical site (avoiding eyes, ears and mouth).
Check for illness
If you child has symptoms of a cold or flu on the morning of the surgery/procedure, call the surgeon’s office.
Bring important things
Such as court papers, list of medicines and clothing. Read our Important Things To Bring tips in the Before You Arrive section for more details.
Arrive on time
It is very important to arrive at the hospital at the time you are given so that your child’s surgery can happen.
Also remember
Your surgery or procedure appointment time and eating and drinking instructions below. Follow your surgeon’s instructions first and foremost:
• 8 hours before procedure, child can eat solid foods
• 6 hours before procedure, child can drink formula
• 4 hours before procedure, child can drink breast milk
• 2 hours before procedure, child can drink water, non-pulp apple juice or pedialyte
We’ll do everything possible to make you and your child feel included, safe and comfortable during the anesthesia services. PAAMG provides anesthesia care for the special needs of children regardless of race, sex, creed ethnicity or disability. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and group resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Alaska.
PAAMG Billing and Financial Assistance:
Call 907-279-0555, 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Friday
We are closed on weekends and holidays.
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