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Pre-operative Planning

Questions about Pre-anesthesia Testing (PAT):
Phone: 315 464-9658
Questions specific to the surgical procedure should be directed to your child's surgeon.
For all other questions, call the Center for Children's Surgery
Phone: 315 464-3636

Planning for your child's Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital stay and knowing what to expect will help you and your child feel more comfortable.

The following information will help you and your family in preparing for the procedure.

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Insurance Pre-authorization

Call your insurance provider as soon as your child's procedure is scheduled and complete all necessary insurance pre-authorization for diagnostic and medical treatment (surgeon, hospital, and anesthesiologist).

What to Bring and What to Arrange

  • Insurance information/cards and co-payments
  • List of your child's current medications and immunization record
  • Loose fitting comfortable clothes for your child including pajamas and slippers
  • Favorite toy or blanket
  • One small suitcase. Space is limited, so pack lightly
  • A parent or guardian must be with a child during a procedure
  • Limit visitors to one or two people the day of admission

What to Leave at Home

  • Large sums of money and credit cards
  • Jewelry and other valuables. For safety, you will need to remove your child's jewelry before surgery
  • Make child care arrangements for small children to stay at home

Accommodations

You may want to arrange to stay the night before your child's surgery or procedure in a local lodging, if you live more than 50 miles from Upstate. Many area lodging facilities provide special rates for patients and their families. Please see our Hotels and Accommodations page for more information.

Driving & Parking Directions

Driving & Parking for Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and other care locations.

Pretesting

Before your child's admission an appointment will be made for pretesting:

  • A healthcare provider will perform a history and physical exam.
  • You will be receiving instructions about preparation before the procedure, including NPO (period without food) Guidelines regarding your child's food and fluid intake the night prior to and the morning of the surgery, and aftercare instructions. Please ask at this time if you have any concerns about any of the instructions. This may mean such things as play, school limitations or home care needs.
  • You will be asked to sign an operative permit which is the legal document consenting to the procedure. You are encouraged to read this document carefully and ask questions about any part of it before signing. When you sign the document, someone other than the doctor doing the procedure will witness it.
  • You will also receive information about the child's hospital stay, as well as options for overnight lodging in Syracuse for families that are traveling great distances to get to the hospital. A tentative time will be given to report to the hospital as well as directions on the admission process the morning of the procedure.
  • You will also be meeting with a Physician's Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or Anesthesia resident who will discuss the anesthesia to be provided to you child during surgery. You will be asked to provide information concerning your child's allergies, past and present medical illnesses, and any other surgeries he/she has had. A written list of medications and dosages that your child is taking would be helpful to the doctors and nurses that are planning for his/her care.
  • Screening tests such as lab work or x-rays may be ordered. Not all children require this testing.

Pre-operative Program

Contact: Child Life Program
Phone: 315 464-7506

Coming to the hospital can be a scary time for children and parents alike. Because Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital understands your concerns about surgery and anesthesia, we have organized the Pre-operative Program for you and your child.

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