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Guide for Patients
Preparing for Your Surgery
Surgery at Maryland General Hospital
At Maryland General, our staff of healthcare professionals, along with the hospital´s sophisticated diagnostic and treatment methods, enable us take care of your surgical needs on an ever-broader scale. We provide similar treatments found at larger hospitals, but in a smaller, more intimate setting right in you own community.
These instructions are designed to help you prepare for your surgery, so please follow them carefully. It is our goal to make your experience at Maryland General as smooth and successful as possible.
Questions?
If, at any time before or after your surgery, you have questions related to one of the following areas, please call:
| Admitting |
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410-225-8829 |
| Billing/Insurance |
410-225-8814 |
| Pre-admission Testing |
410-225-8127 |
| Post Anesthesia Care Unit Or Outpatient Surgery |
410-225-8150 |
The pre-operative nurse can be reached by calling 410-225-8344, if you have any other questions.
Financial Information
One of the most important things to do before your surgery occurs is to confirm with your physician and your insurance company that you have obtained pre-certification or authorization for all services you are scheduled to receive.
Maryland General encourages you to pay all deductible and co-payment charges when you register on the day of your surgery. We will bill you for any charges not covered by your insurance plan. For your convenience, Maryland General accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Patient representatives are available during registration to answer any questions you have regarding payment methods or insurance coverage.
You should be aware that your hospital bill and your doctor´s bill are separate. The number of bills you receive depends on the types of services you received while you were at Maryland General. If you have any questions regarding your hospital charges after your discharge, please call 410-225-8814. Your doctor´s bill will also have a telephone number to call with your questions.
Preparing for Your Procedure
Five to seven days before your surgery, you will be asked to complete the necessary pre-operative tests required before your surgery can take place. These tests are ordered by your private physician. If your pre-operative testing was done at a site other than Maryland General, please provide the name and phone number of the physician who administered the tests, in case we have any questions.
The Day Before Your Procedure
The night before your surgery is scheduled, you will receive a phone call from our pre-op nurse. The nurse will tell you the time you should arrive for your surgery. If you have any questions about your surgery, this is a good time to ask them.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery.
Please confirm your transportation plans, both to and from the hospital.
The Day of Your Surgery
On the day of your surgery, report to the Admitting Department, unless otherwise instructed by your pre-op nurse. The department is located on the first floor of the hospital, near the main entrance.
To ensure a fast, smooth registration, make sure you bring with you the following items:
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A list of any medications you are currently taking, and any known drug allergies |
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Personal identification |
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Your insurance information |
Your Personal Checklist
Surgery can be stressful, so we´ve put together a helpful checklist of do´s and don´ts to complete on the day of your scheduled surgery.
| ___ |
Plan to arrive 2 hours before your scheduled surgery time. It´s good to leave home early to make sure you get to Maryland General with plenty of time to spare. |
| ___ |
Leave all jewelry and other valuables at home. |
| ___ |
Remember not to eat or drink anything when you awaken. |
| ___ |
Take your prescribed medications, as directed by your doctor. |
| ___ |
Wear comfortable clothing. |
| ___ |
Report to the Admitting Department, unless otherwise instructed by your pre-op nurse. |
When You Go Home
You will need someone to take you home from the hospital if you have sedation for your procedure.
In most cases your care doesn´t stop when you are discharged. When you go home, we ask you to:
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Follow the instructions on your discharge sheet |
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Follow your doctor´s instructions |
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Call your doctor if you have any questions or experience any problems |
As part of your follow-up care, a Maryland General nurse will contact you the day after your procedure to see if you are experiencing any problems following your discharge.
Chaplain Services
Maryland General Hospital recognizes that many of its patients have spiritual needs. If you wish to have a staff member notify your place of worship, a call can be placed to a pastor or your denomination. In the event you don´t have a spiritual support system available to you, a list of clergy representing all denominations is kept at each nursing station.
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