Preparing for Surgery
We understand that you may be anxious before your procedure; we strive to make your experience both comfortable and positive. At the Syracuse Area Health, our goal is to make your admittance to the hospital proceed as smoothly as possible.
The first step in preparing for your surgery is completing the pre-operative admission information. One of our Surgical Services Nurses will visit with you and obtain pertinent information detailing your medical history, demographics, insurance information and other documents that must be completed prior to surgery. You will receive a pre-admission packet at your surgeon’s office visit. You may want to contact your insurance provider; some providers need prior authorization. You may be asked to have your primary physician complete a pre-operative history and physical within 30 days prior to your procedure.
General Patient Information:
The following guidelines are general and may not be appropriate for every surgery.
Prior to surgery, a nurse from our Surgical Services Department will contact you within one week (7) days and the day before your scheduled surgery to confirm your scheduled surgery time and the time you should arrive at the hospital. You will need to arrive at the hospital at the time you were instructed. The Surgical Services nurse will also review any changes of your medical history and information with you at that time.
Please contact the Surgery Scheduler between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at 402-269-7544 if you have NOT been contacted one day prior to your surgery.
What to bring with you
For your convenience, you will want to bring the following information with you to the hospital:
- Any relevant medical insurance information, including insurance cards and photo ID
- Medical information that details your own history
- Complete list of medications you are currently taking, prescription, over-the-counter and any other natural or organic drugs. Also, be sure to have the dosages you take.
- List of allergies
If you have an advance directive, please bring a copy with you to place in your medical record.
- A list of telephone numbers where members of your immediate family can be reached, if necessary
- Proof of Guardianship, if applicable