Pre-admission testing
After your surgery is scheduled, the next step is to complete an interview with Pre-admission Testing (PAT). PAT helps to ensure that you are in your best possible condition before surgery or a procedure. This can mean that you may need further evaluation or testing. A nurse will call you one to five days before surgery to complete this or schedule an in-person appointment.
The PAT team also works with your surgeon and anesthesiologist to determine if you have any conditions that may affect your surgery date or success of the procedure. They also communicate with these physicians to make sure that they have what they need to safely take care of you.
Pre-admission testing (PAT) frequently asked questions
Q. Is a PAT assessment required for me to have surgery?
A: No, it is not required. However, we encourage all patients to have a PAT visit with our pre-assessment nurse, who works with your surgeon and anesthesiologist to ensure that you are ready for surgery to prevent any cancellations or delays day of surgery.
Q. When will the PAT assessment take place?
A: One to five days before your surgery, you will receive a call from a pre-assessment nurse. This will take approximately 20-30 minutes – it may be shorter or longer depending on your amount of medical history.
Q. What do I need to have ready for the PAT assessment?
A:
- Pen and paper
- Complete medication list, including when and how often you take your medications
- Your personal medical and surgical history
- List of your physicians caring for you
- Names of and phone numbers of emergency contacts and individuals taking you home after surgery
- If have had blood work, an EKG, stress test or a cardiac catheterization performed in the last year, you may also have these tests faxed to the PAT department.
Q. What is the difference between Pre-op evaluation and a PAT assessment?
A:
- A pre-operative evaluation is a medical visit you have with your family doctor or specialist to ensure that you are ready for surgery.
- A PAT assessment is done by a pre-assessment nurse. This nurse works directly with your surgeon and anesthesiologist to gather all pertinent data for your surgery, including pre-op testing/evaluations with your physicians and your medical history.