Your health care team

As you prepare for your surgery, hospital stay and recovery, your health care team will work with your surgeon to help you along your journey. Members of your health care team may include doctors, doctor (physician) assistants, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, case managers, and physical and occupational therapists.

You may also be visited by a dietitian, respiratory therapist or chaplain.

Whom to call with questions

If you have questions about your surgery, please call your hospital's phone number.

When you call, you will speak with a member of your health care team. He or she will be able to:

• help you coordinate your care before surgery between the surgeon's office, clinic and the hospital if needed
• plan your specific care needs to make sure you are ready for surgery
• coordinate your hospital care with your health care team members
• answer questions and provide you with resources available at the hospital
• help the social worker, case manager or both in coordinating your discharge plan to your home, home health care services, or a transitional care unit (TCU) or short-term rehabilitation center
• answer questions and provide you with resources after you leave the hospital, if needed