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Preparing for Surgery

Having surgery can be confusing and uncomfortable time. To better prepare you for your surgery, Upstate Community Hospital has published a guide to surgery. To be ready for your procedure, you will need to complete these steps:

Advance Registration

Patients are asked to complete and return the advance registration form. The advance registration form asks for information about you and your insurance. As much of this information is required by New York State regulations, please fill out the form completely. If you have questions regarding the Advance registration form, please call the hospital's Patient Access Department at (315) 492-5538.

  • Insurance information
    Fill out only the insurance information that applies to you and your coverage. If you or your spouse have several types of coverage, please include all information. If possible, attach a photocopy of your insurance cards. If you have questions regarding your insurance coverage or pre-admission certification, please call the Business Office at (315) 464-4320.
  • Pre-admission certification
    Your insurance plan or employer may require pre-admission certification prior approval for a hospital stay. If so, it is your responsibility to obtain necessary approval. Please check with your employer or insurance carrier in advance regarding any requirements you must meet to obtain coverage.
  • Language interpreter
    If you would like the services of a language interpreter, please call the Patient Access Department at (315) 492-5538 or note your request on your Advance registration form. We will provide an interpreter at no cost to you.

Pre-admission testing

In some cases, patients must have tests performed prior to a surgical procedure. Pre-admission testing is usually done no earlier than 14 days before surgery.

If you are scheduled for pre-admission tests, the date and time of your appointment are shown on the label on the back cover of this brochure. Patients are required to prepare and check-in for pre-admission testing. This includes completing the following forms and bringing them to your pre-admission appointment:

  • Universal medications form
    On the day of your pre-admission appointment, please inform the hospital personnel of any medication you have taken before your tests. Please make sure you complete the universal medication form and bring it to your pre-admission testing appointment.
  • Health care proxy form
    The New York State Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust - a family member or close friend - as your health care agent to make decisions regarding your care should you lost the ability to make these decisions for yourself. This law gives you the power to make sure that health care professionals follow your wishes. Health Care Proxy forms are distributed at your pre-admission testing visit.
  • Advance Directives document
    An advance directive is a written document that you may use under certain circumstances to tell others what care you would like to receive or not receive should you become unable to express your wishes at some point in the future. Adults in New York State have the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, including life-sustaining treatment. At the time of admission, you will be asked if you have an advance directive. Please discuss your options with your doctor and complete an Advance Directive document to bring with you for use during your hospital stay.
  • Fasting
    No fasting is required for pre-admission testing unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
  • Pre-admission testing appointment
    By conducting interviews and completing paperwork in advance of your admission, your day of surgery will be smoother and more efficient. In most cases, your pre-admission tests and interviews should be completed in less than two hours. Please allow for this time in your schedule.

    On the day of your testing appointment please report to the hospital's Diagnostic Center with your completed health care proxy form and advance directives documents for your pre-admission texting. Please note that all patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. During your pre-admission visit, the date for your procedure and your admission time will be confirmed. Occasionally, changes in scheduling occur during the week prior to surgery. If this is necessary, we will call you.

Prepare for your admission, procedure and discharge.

  • Check the date of your surgery
    The date and time of your surgery will be given at pre-admission testing. If you do not require pre-admission testing, your physician will inform you of the date and time of your admission.
  • Postponing your admission
    A decision to postpone your admission either for personal or medical reasons should be made in consultation with your doctor. Some medical reasons for cancellation may include symptoms of the common cold or flu. Such conditions should be discussed with your doctor as soon as you become aware of them, even if you do not think they are serious.
  • Hospital postpones your admission
    Our emergency admissions are unpredictable. When they are high, we may need to postpone scheduled admissions. If it is necessary to postpone your admission, we will notify you and your doctor. We will then reschedule your admission as soon as possible.
  • Fasting
    To complete your procedure safely, it is important that you do not eat or drink anything (including water) after midnight the night before your admission, unless specifically instructed otherwise. If you eat or drink anything within this time, your surgery may be postponed to a later date.
  • No alcohol
    You should refrain from consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after your procedure.
  • Medications
    Take only the medication prescribed by your physician, surgeon or anesthesiologist. Please fill out the universal medications form if you have not already done so and bring it in with you. If you do not know the names of the medications you are taking, bring the medications with you so that we may identify them. Medications you bring with you will be stored in the hospital pharmacy and returned to you upon discharge.
  • Children
    When a child is a patient, we make a special effort to ensure his or her comfort. Children must fast before their surgery. It is important that your child has nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow before your child's admission.
  • Please contact the nursing staff of the Surgery Center should you have any other questions about your child's stay at (315) 492-5614.
  • Shower and shampoo
    Please take a complete bath or shower and shampoo your hair before coming to the hospital. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that will be easy to put on for your return home. Wear no makeup and no nail polish on your fingers or toes.
  • What not to bring
    • Do not wear or bring any jewelry, rings, earrings or piercings
    • Do not wear any makeup
    • Do not bring any valuables
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