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Surgery Planning and Day of Surgery

Now that you have made the decision to have your joint replaced, your surgeon will let you know your surgery date. The Pre-Admission Testing office will call you to set up your appointment for the tests you'll need before surgery.

Pre-Admission Testing (PAT)

Eat and take your medications as you normally would do. You do not need to fast for the tests.

Please refer to the Pre-Admission Testing patient instruction sheet.

Park in the hospital visitor's parking lot.

We look forward to your arrival at the admitting desk on the ground floor.

The nurse will complete an interview and ensure that all the tests ordered by your surgeon are performed. Testing may include blood work, urine, x-rays and an EKG.

The PAT visit takes approximately two hours.

Before the Day of Surgery

We offer a pre-op educational class (1 hour) and recommend that you attend. In the class, we'll discuss the surgical process, realistic expectations, safety, mobility, pain management and how to minimize complications.

The PAT Office will contact you to register for this class. The class also offers a casual, relaxed opportunity for you to ask questions.  A tour of the Total Joint Unit and Physical Therapy Gym will be included. Stop all anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Motrin, Naproxen, Vitamin E, herbal supplements, etc. as instructed by your doctor. These medications may cause increased bleeding.

If you are on Coumadin, Plavix or other blood thinning medications, you will need special instructions from your physician for stopping the medication. The physician will instruct you on what to do with your other medications.

If you are feeling sick anytime before your surgery or on the day of your surgery, call your surgeon. He or she will tell you what to do.

The Night Before Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. The only exception is to take medications with a small sip of water, as instructed by the anesthesiologist or nurse. Do not chew gum, mints, or candy. The Night Before Surgery: You will receive two phone calls; One from the anesthesiologist and another instructing you on the time to arrive at the hospital. The day of surgery, please arrive at the Admitting Department on time. 

We will place an identification bracelet on your arm and show you to your room.  The nursing staff will prepare you for the operating room (change into hospital gown, start an intravenous [IV] line, etc.).  We will start your antibiotics. You may also get special catheters inserted to help with pain control. The anesthesiologist, operating room nurse and your surgeon will see you before you go into the room for your surgery.

Information for Total Hip or Total Knee Replacement Patients who have Medicare as their primary insurance