On a day prior to your scheduled surgery, your surgeon will want you to come to CoxHealth Outpatient Center at 545 Branson Landing Blvd., Branson, MO to complete your surgical pre-admission testing.
Our surgical pre-admission process is designed to make you more comfortable about your upcoming operation and to contribute to a smooth flow on the day of your surgery. It is also a great time for you and your family to bring along any questions you may have about CoxHealth or your surgery.
NOTE: There are a few items you will need to have with you for the surgical pre-admission process.
- You are required to get an authorization from your insurance company before having surgery (your physician's office will call the insurance company for you).
- Any written orders that your physician has given to you to present to us at registration.
- Your insurance information and card.
- You may need to call your insurance company to see if your physician has pre-certified your procedure. If not, your insurance company will not pay.
When you pre-register, please be sure to bring your insurance card with you. If not listed on your card, please be sure to know the following:
- Insurance company name, address and phone number
- Name of the policy holder
- Policy holder's social security number
- Policy holder's workplace
- Has your primary care physician's office given you a referral or has the procedure you are coming for been pre-certified, if needed? (Check with your primary care physician's office for this information.)
Depending on the type of surgery, your age and your health issues, your doctor may order some tests to be done. All testing will be conducted in CoxHealth Outpatient Center.
After you have checked in at the registration desk, you will be called back for your blood work, X-ray or EKG. Any family members or friends accompanying you can comfortably wait for you in the waiting room in the CoxHealth Outpatient Center lobby.
When your tests have been completed, you will visit with a pre-admission nurse who will meet with you in the testing area. They will get a brief health history from you.
For this it is most helpful if you bring with you a list of:
- Any current prescription medications, herbs or supplements you are taking
- Any allergies
- Any past procedures or surgeries and the dates of those surgeries
During this consultation with the pre-admission nurse, you will also receive information about your surgery. This will include information about pre-operative and post-operative care. This consultation is a great time to bring any questions you or your family may have about your scheduled surgery.
On the day of your surgery
Diet
Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight prior to the day of your surgery. Failure to fast may postpone or cancel your surgery. Be sure to ask, but many times a small sip of water to take necessary medications may be allowed.
Medication
Please bring all of your current medications with you on the day of your surgery. Consult your physician for special instructions if you are taking routine medications, insulin, or a blood thinner such as Coumadin or aspirin. You may be allowed to take routine medications with a small sip of water very early on the day of the surgery.
Clothing
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Please do not bring jewelry, money or other valuables with you. Please do not wear make-up or fingernail polish as it must be removed before you go to surgery.
If you wear dentures, a partial plate, contact lenses or other prosthesis, you may be asked to remove them before going into surgery. We suggest that you bring your own container and solution for your contact lenses. However, the hospital can provide a cup for your dentures.
Bathing
You should bathe before you arrive for surgery. You may be asked to use a certain kind of soap for bathing. If so, your pre-admission nurse will provide that soap on the day of your pre-admission process.