We are pleased that you have chosen the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics for your surgical care. This letter explains what you will need to do to make your preoperative preparations go smoothly. We will help you, but it is your responsibility to make sure that your preoperative tests are completed before your surgery.
- Once your surgery has been scheduled, our secretary will send you information about the tests that you will need to have done before your surgery.
Please call our office if you do not receive this information within 2 weeks after you are told the date of your surgery.
- Please make sure that the results of all your required tests/examinations are faxed to our office at least 5 business days before your date of surgery.
It is not okay to bring this paperwork with you on the day of surgery. Sinai's Department of Anesthesia must also review your test results before your surgery. Patients whose test results are not sent to our office risk having their surgery postponed.
- All patients need to undergo preoperative physical examination by the primary care physician or pediatrician.
Physical examinations can be performed up to 30 days before surgery, in most cases. An early appointment will allow time for any abnormal results, if found, to be investigated. If you do not have a primary care physician, we may be able to direct you to one. Many walk-in clinics offer preoperative examination services.
- Most patients will need to have a blood count (hematocrit) obtained.
Young, otherwise healthy children may have this blood test done during surgery, but only if the pediatrician expects the results to be normal. Anyone 12 years or older must have this blood test done before surgery.
- Many patients will need additional tests.
The information that the secretary sends to you will contain a list of additional tests that may also be required, depending on your age, any health problems you may have, or certain medications you may be taking. Please make sure that your primary care physician reviews the tests required by Sinai's Anesthesia Department and orders those tests that apply to you.
- Some patients will need to have special tests performed.
If your surgeon tells you that you need to have another test, such as CT or MRI, before your surgery, you will need to get a prescription for this test from our office. Please remember that you will need to pick up the actual radiographic films and either mail or bring them to our office at least 5 business days before your surgery.
- A few patients will need to see a specialist.
If you have a known health problem, such as a heart condition, you will need an additional authorization for surgery from your specialist. Please make your appointments accordingly and make sure that the specialist faxes us his/her approval.
- If you will be receiving a blood transfusion during or after surgery, you will need to have more tests done.
Whether you donated your own blood, someone donated blood for you, or you will be receiving blood from the Blood Bank, you will need to have additional blood tests done at our Preoperative Anesthesia Services (PASS) Department to verify that the blood is compatible. For surgery starting after 9:30 AM, this can be done on the morning of surgery; otherwise please call PASS (410-601-9729) to arrange an appointment.
- We need contact information for you and your physician.
It is very important that you provide us with your most current telephone number(s) and the name and phone number of your primary care physician in case we have questions about your test results or surgery scheduling. If you will be staying in Baltimore before the surgery, please provide contact information for your Baltimore location as well.