The Day of Surgery

On the day of your surgery it is not necessary to go the Outpatient Registration area.

Go straight to the Heart Center by turning off Biltmore Avenue into the Memorial campus as you did on your initial visit. However, this time take the immediate right turn and drive up the short hill to the main patient entrance of the Heart Tower. It’s a good idea to drop off the patient at the main entrance then continue up the hill. The road curves to the right and into the main parking for the Heart Center. If there are no spaces here, it may be necessary to go back to the main parking area.

Enter the Owen Heart Tower by the main entrance and you’ll be in the family waiting area with the Information Desk right in front of you. The supervisor or one of his/her staff will gladly direct you or your family to whatever facilities they need. Family members should wait here. The patient and no more than one family member should take the E “Evergreen” elevators behind the Information Desk and go up to the FOURTH floor. 

The Cardiovascular (CV) Admissions Area is room E445 (this is where you were taken on your initial visit) and is directly ahead of you when you step off the elevator.

After checking in and going through various pre-operative procedures (depending on the type of surgery), you will be taken to the second floor, either to the Pre-op Holding Room <photo>, or directly to one of the six cardiothoracic operating rooms. You will almost certainly feel nervous and apprehensive. Try your best to relax, knowing you’re in the hands of one of the best cardiovascular teams in the world, operating in an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility.