Registration and Pre-Admission

When your hospital is notified of your scheduled surgery, a registration representative will begin the pre-registration process by obtaining your demographic and insurance information from your physician's office or, if it's not available, directly from you.

Your hospital will then contact your insurance company regarding insurance benefits. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier in advance to clarify your healthcare benefits and to arrange for any needed pre-authorization prior to your admission.

After talking with your insurance carrier, your hospital's registration representative will let you know what documents you need to bring. Please make sure to prepare your family / referring physician contact information to help your specialists work effectively with your physician regarding your treatment and care.

In addition, you may be requested to make a deposit based upon the estimated cost of services and your insurance benefits such as deductibles and co-pay. If you anticipate difficulty in paying your bill promptly, please advise your registration representative before admission to assist you in making satisfactory arrangements.

Arrangements for transportation upon your discharge should be made prior to admission.

Your physician may request routine tests to be done prior to admission. The hospital staff will contact you to arrange appointments to have these tests performed on the outpatient basis.

Preoperative Visit

Before your actual surgery, you will visit with your surgery team members. You will watch a video that talks about your surgery and what to expect on the day of surgery. You also will receive a Patient Handbook that has education materials needed before surgery, during your hospital stay and when you return home. Bring this handbook on the day of surgery and keep it with you while you are in the hospital.

Your Surgery Team

Each person involved in your surgery plays a vital role. Your surgeon and his or her assistants perform the surgery. Several specially trained nurses support them. The anesthesiologist constantly monitors your anesthesia to help you sleep without pain. The perfusionist operates the heart-lung machine (if one is needed) that keeps your blood flowing. Your blood pressure, temperature, and breathing are constantly monitored during the surgery.

Your Surgical Team includes:

• Surgeon
• Assistant Surgeons
• Cardiologist
• Surgical Nurse
• Perfusionist
• Anesthesiologist
• Scrub Tech or Nurse

Surgeon

Every attempt is made for you to meet your surgeon on the day of your preoperative visit. If that is not possible, we will schedule a more convenient time for you to meet and discuss your operation.

Cardiologist

During your visit, you will meet with your cardiologist, who will perform a preoperative physical exam, answer your questions and review your medications. Your cardiologist will order the appropriate tests and review screening tests. These may include cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, electrocardiography, chest X-ray, routine bloodwork and urinalysis. Your cardiologist will monitor your care throughout your hospital stay and will oversee your discharge.

Surgical Nurse

You will also meet your surgical nurse, who works under your surgeon's supervision. Your nurse will perform a limited exam, review your lab data, provide instructions for your surgery and schedule your arrival time on the day of surgery.

Perfusionist

During surgery, your perfusionist operates medical equipment, including the heart-lung machine and cell saver machine, making sure that all the equipment are running smoothly. Throughout your surgery, your perfusionist will manage your lungs and the flow of your blood using the heart-lung machine.

Anesthesiologist

During your preoperative visit, your will meet your anesthesiologist, who is specially trained to give you anesthesia. Anesthesia keeps you asleep and free of pain during surgery.

Scrub Tech or Nurse

Right before your surgery, your scrub tech or nurse will prepare the operating room's sterile area, surgical instruments and equipment. During your surgery, your scrub tech or nurse will be next to you, assisting the surgeons by passing instruments and making sure that everything goes smoothly.

To make yourself as comfortable as possible, all patients should follow these guidelines. We suggest bringing the following personal items:

Inpatient Clothing
Pajamas/nightgown, bathrobe and slippers. Comfortable casual clothing and shoes with non-skid soles are recommended for patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy. Each patient is provided a closet for accommodation of a limited quantity of personal articles. Please bring only those items necessary during your stay.

Inpatient Toiletries
Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc. Electrical equipment such as hair dryers, radios or razors and other personal appliances are permitted only after the equipment has undergone a safety check by our engineering department. Such equipment is not permitted in any of the intensive care areas.

Personal Items
Eyeglasses, dentures and hearing aids. Denture cups are available upon request. Take care not to leave any of these items on your meal tray or on your bed as they may be lost.

Cash for Incidentals
No more than $20 is usually needed; however, be sure to bring enough cash to cover your parking fees, if applicable. Weekly parking passes are available through the cashier. Although the hospital itself does not offer check cashing, we provide an ATM on the premises, next to Security on the lower level.

Proof of Insurance Coverage
Medicare and other insurance identification are needed to verify your eligibility for claims filed by the hospital.

Advance Healthcare Directive
If you have one, please bring it with you. You can establish one at the hospital as well.

Referring or Family Physician Information
Name, address and telephone number.

What Not to Bring

We encourage you to leave all valuables, such as large sums of money, jewelry and credit cards, at home. If necessary, money and small valuables may be kept in the hospital safe and reclaimed upon your discharge. An itemized receipt claim ticket will be provided. If your stay includes time in a critical care unit, non-essential belongings will need to be sent home during that time.

Accommodations

The type of hospital accommodations offered depends upon your physician's request, the type of care needed, your preference and its availability. During your stay, a room change may be necessary as your needs change. Please discuss your preferences with us and we will make every effort to satisfy your accommodation requests throughout your stay. Please notify us if you do not wish to receive visitors or phone calls during your hospitalization.

What To Do Before Your Surgery

The Night Before Surgery

Your surgical nurse will provide you with these instructions the night before surgery:

• The night before your surgery, you can eat a normal meal, but do not eat, drink or chew anything after 12 o'clock midnight. This includes gum, mints, water, etc.
• When brushing your teeth, avoid swallowing any water.
• Bathe or take a shower, wash from your neck down with the anti-bacterial soap provided.

On the Morning of Surgery

• Proceed with your routine morning care. If you bathe or take a shower, wash from your neck down with the anti-bacterial soap provided.
• Women should not wear any makeup and must remove any nail polish.
• You should bring all your prescription medications with you.
• You should leave jewelry, watches, money and other valuables at home or with the person who accompanies you.
• We recommend that you dress in comfortable clothing that's easy to fold. You will be given a garment bag so that your clothing can be given to the family member or friend who accompanies you. When you are transferred to a nursing floor, you may use your personal robe and toiletries.

Arriving at the Hospital

When you arrive at the hospital, you will be directed to the Pre-Op area. You will be given a hospital gown to wear. All clothing and other valuables should be given to your family members or the person who accompanies you. If you are unaccompanied, please tell your nurse, who can have your items locked up prior to surgery.

If You are an In-Hospital Patient

If you are already hospitalized, you will be given your approximate time of surgery the evening prior to your operation. Family members and friends may arrive before the operation and stay with you up until the time you are taken to surgery. Give all belongings to your family to take home with them, because you will not return to the same room after your surgery.

If you are unaccompanied, please tell your nurse, who can have your items locked up in Patient and Guest Services prior to your surgery. Your unit nurse and patient assistant will verify your identity before surgery by checking the identification bracelet on your wrist. You will then be transported to the operating room suite.

On the Day of Your Surgery

On the day of your surgery, a patient educator or a nurse may talk with you and your loved ones. He or she can tell you what to expect. You'll most likely feel a little nervous before surgery. The hospital staff will do all they can to answer your questions and help you relax.

• Tell your doctor what medications you're taking, especially aspirin or an anticoagulant ("blood thinner"). Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking them. Also bring a complete list of your current medications (including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements), allergies, your medical records and health insurance information.
• If you develop a cold, fever or sore throat within a few days of your surgery, or have other questions or concerns, call your surgeon's office.
• If you smoke, stop immediately to improve your blood flow and breathing.
• Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
• To help prevent infection, any hair in an incision area may be shaved. You may also be asked to wash with an antibacterial soap the morning of surgery.
• If you are having valve surgery and need dental work, you may be told to have it done before surgery. This is because dental work often allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which may cause infection around a new valve.