Inpatient & Outpatient Surgery

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient surgery for infants, children and young adults.

Our team provides surgical care for both general and specialized conditions, including chest wall deformities, tumors, esophageal and airway concerns, and hernias.

Preparing for surgery can be stressful for a family, but knowing what to expect can help put you and your child at ease. Here’s what you need to know to help you prepare for a stay that is as comfortable and safe as possible.

Preparing for Surgery

It is important to prepare your child for surgery by following these guidelines: Two weeks before surgery, make sure your child is getting plenty of rest and eating healthy food. Call your doctor if your child develops a fever, cough, rash or runny nose. Even a slight illness can cause issues during a procedure.

The day before surgery, a pre-admission nurse will call you by 4 p.m. to let you know when to arrive and check in at registration. If you don’t receive a call by 4 p.m., call 727-767-8431 as soon as possible.

View our video (available in both English and Spanish using the links below) on preparing your child for surgery.

Patient Avery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Sign up for MyChart

Our MyChart patient portal will help you communicate with your care team before, on the day of surgery, and beyond. Please visit our MyChart page and sign up before the day of surgery.

No Food or Drink Before Surgery

Make sure you understand our “nothing by mouth” guidelines (NPO) before surgery:

  • Midnight before surgery: Stop all solid food, including candy, gum and mints.
  • 6 hours before surgery: Stop infant formula or milk for children less than 2 years of age.
  • 4 hours before surgery: Stop breast milk.
  • 3 hours before surgery: Stop clear liquids, including water, clear apple juice, Pedialyte, popsicles, gelatin, soda.

If your child is on tube feedings, please refer to instructions from the pre-admission nurse.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure your child does not eat or drink anything too close to surgery. Not having an empty stomach when receiving anesthesia may result in complications. If your child does have something to eat or drink the day of surgery, or has not followed the NPO guidelines, let the pre-operative team know right away by calling 727-767-4128.

Day of Surgery

Be prepared the day of surgery by knowing what to bring, where to park and where to check in.

Care at Home

When the procedure is over, the doctor will meet with you to discuss care at home. This is the best time to ask questions.

Filling Your Child’s Prescriptions

After you see the surgeon, you can get your child’s prescriptions filled at our retail pharmacy on the first floor of the hospital just past the gift shop.