Days Before Surgery: Important Instructions

How's your child's health?

It is important your child is well before surgery. A fever, cold, cough, runny nose or sore throat can make it harder for them to breathe during or after the procedure as well as making recovery longer.

Does your child have any of the health issues listed below?

• Recent asthma flare
• Fever, cold, cough, runny nose or sore throat
• Recent viral infection including COVID-19, flu, pneumonia, or RSV
• Exposure to TB, chicken-pox

If your child is sick in the 2 weeks leading up to surgery please contact 416-813-7654 Ext. 227502 and leave a message. A nurse will return your call.

Stop eating and drinking before anesthesia or sedation

Follow these fasting instructions. Your child's surgery may be cancelled if they have eaten or haven’t followed the fasting requirements for liquids.

Any food or liquid in your child's stomach while going to sleep under anaesthesia can flow up to the mouth and pass down into the lungs. This is very dangerous for them.

Review Eating & Drinking Guidelines (PDF)

Bathing at home before a procedure

You play an important role in reducing your child’s risk of infection by bathing or showering before a procedure. Bathing or showering with soap lowers the change of a surgical site infection.

At home, bathe or shower your child two times before the procedure with soap and water at these times:

1. 48 hours (2 days) before procedure
2. 24 hours (1 day) before procedure

Bathing Instructions (PDF)

Prevent medication mistakes

Some medications cannot be taken with other medications or anesthetic. To make sure your child safely takes the right medications while at SickKids, doctors and nurses must understand all the medications your child takes at home. Please bring the following items with you:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Cough/cold/allergy medications
• Puffers
• Herbal products, vitamins/supplements
• Eye/ear drops
• Creams
• Recently stopped medicines

Make it simple

We understand carrying medications may be difficult. Another option is to take photos of labels on each bottle or container of medication, ointment, vitamins, drops, etc. Ensure the dosage amount can be seen in the photo. You can take front and back photos if required.

Packing list

When your child is coming to the hospital, there are important items you need to remember. Please note you will need to carry your items with you while you are at SickKids.

What to pack for the hospital