Preparing for Surgery
No matter where you are in your surgery journey, our colleagues, clinicians and physicians are here for you from start to finish. We understand patients are nervous before surgery, so we've prepared a list of helpful resources to ensure the most successful experience possible. Once you are in our doors, rest assured knowing your care is our top priority.
All of the items highlighted below can also be found in your Preparing for Your Surgical Journey (Spanish) booklet, handed to you once you are scheduled.
If you are needing translator services, please ask for the Language Line Translators. Interpreters are provided at no cost to you.
COVID-19 testing
With safety being of one of our core values and a top priority, we have enhanced protocols in place to protect you and our caregivers. This includes testing for coronavirus up to 72 hours prior to the day of your surgery. If a patient tests positive, the procedure will be postponed until a negative result is obtained as directed by the physician. At the time of testing, if there is a negative test result, the procedure may continue as planned in the COVID-Free Zone (COVID-Free Zones are areas where we provide care only for people not known to have COVID-19 or COVID symptoms).
Before-Surgery Planning Checklist
Your safety is our No. 1 priority, so we double and triple-check everything. We ask a lot of questions because we care about your health!
- Registration and Payment Arrangements
- Once your surgeon’s office schedules your surgery, here’s what happens:
- The registration team will call you to verify the information we received about you from the surgeon’s office. This is to guarantee we have all the correct information about you.
- Next, we verify your insurance information and your insurance coverage for your scheduled procedure.
- If required by your insurance company, we will obtain prior-authorization for your treatment.
- If you do not have insurance, we will work with you to make financial arrangements.
- Private financial counseling is available to ALL patients. If you would like to make an appointment, please call (559) 450-7262, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Once your surgeon’s office schedules your surgery, here’s what happens:
- Before-Surgery Medical Assessment and Testing
- After your surgery is scheduled, one of our Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) nurses will call you to go over your medical history and all of your medications. Your answers to these questions, and the medical information we received from your surgeon’s office, will help us determine if any additional tests or studies are needed to prepare you for your surgery.
- Before-Surgery Suggested "Shopping List"
- Don’t put off today what you won’t feel like doing after surgery. Be sure you have items such as a thermometer, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) to use for mild pain, clean washcloths to wash your incisions, comfortable clothing, alcohol gel for frequent handwashing, a walker, cane, or bedside commode, and simple frozen meals to make mealtime easy for the first few days.
- Planning for Transportation
- Prepping for surgery takes time. That’s why we ask you to arrive 1-2 hours early. We want to be sure you’re ready when your surgical team is ready. For same-day surgery, or upon discharge from your hospital stay, you will need to make arrangements for a ride home from the hospital.
- Additional Paperwork to bring to the hospital
- It is always recommended to have these important forms with you on the day of your surgery: Durable Power of Attorney, Guardianship, Advance Directives or POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).
One Day Before Surgery
The day before surgery is all about anesthesia safety and infection prevention. What you eat and drink on the days before surgery will affect how your body processes anesthesia, so it's recommended you follow the guidelines provided to you in your Preparing for Your Surgical Journey (Spanish) booklet.
Most importantly, DO NOT EAT ANYTHING (including water, coffee, gum, chewing tobacco, hard candy) OR SMOKE after midnight the evening before your surgery. Follow your surgeon's instructions on drinking restrictions.
Day-of Surgery
When the big day arrives, the last thing we want you worried about is your appearance, so no makeup, jewelry or perfume. The key is to be clean and comfy. Wash your hair and body with CHG soap and dress in loose-fitting clothes. Pack lightly and bring necessitates such as eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc., a list of medications, inhalers, your Advance Directives paperwork, photo ID and your insurance cards. Please leave your valuables at home. The only thing valuable you should bring along is a loved one.
For day-of surgery information, including hospital entrances, COVID-19 testing, overnight recovery and our current visiting policies, click here.