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Information for Families

The total length of time your family member will spend in the operating room is longer than the actualy surgery. Much of that "extra time" is spent preparing the patient for surgery and getting him or her ready to go to the recovery room (PACU) or ICU following surgery.

During the time your loved one is in the operating room, you wan wait in the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute (The Atrium).  The surgeon will look for you after your family member’s surgery is finished.

When you get to the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute (The Atrium), please make sure to check in at the front desk. In this way, when your loved one's surgeon calls, the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute staff knows where and who you are.

If your family member's surgery occurs during hours when the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute (The Atrium) is closed, then you may wait in the smaller waiting area right outside the Cardiothoracic ICU (4-West). There is also a café on the first floor of the hospital, directly opposite the information desk and down the hall from the front door on the left, which is open 24/7. 

Things to Remember
  • In some areas of the hospital, like CTICU, mobile phones are discouraged.
  • Flowers are NOT permitted in the patient room in CT ICU
  • Right after surgery, we ask family members to limit their visit and keep it short.  

Other Resources

Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute

Weill Cornell Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery 525 East 68th Street
Box 110
Suite M 404
New York, NY 10065 Directions
Phone: (212) 746-5166