Patient Information
Surgeries: Chronic Pancreatitis: Post-Operation Care at Home
When you're ready for discharge, you'll be given a set of discharge instructions. Many patients are discharged with feeding tubes, IV lines and drains that will need to be managed once you're at home. You also may have a wound dressing change. The nurses in the hospital will teach you and a family member to take care of these tubes prior to your discharge.
Also, arrangements for a home health nurse will be made prior to your discharge. This nurse will visit you to make sure your wound is healing and to check any drains or IVs that are left in place. They will also follow any post-op orders that are given for blood drawing, wound care and drain care. The nurse will help teach a family member how to do as much of your care that can be safely done by a family member.
Many of our patients can't tolerate eating regular food or they aren't eating enough to keep their protein up for good wound healing. As a result, so we make arrangements for you to get fed through a feeding tube or a special IV called a PICC line. We make arrangements prior to your discharge with a Home Infusion company for the supplies you'll need.
You'll be discharged from the hospital with a two - three week supply of your medications. This will include any prescription pain medication that you might need as well as something for nausea.
You will be given a return appointment with Dr. David Adams or Dr. Katherine Morgan for approximately two weeks after you get out of the hospital. If you have any problems or concerns please let our office know. If you have fever of 101º F or higher, nausea & vomiting, or your wound looks infected with redness and drainage, we need to hear from you.
You will need to see us usually on a biweekly or monthly basis until we've discharged you from our care.