Preparing for Surgery

Baptist Health Louisville's surgery program is designed to make your surgery as safe, pleasant and convenient as possible. Baptist Health Louisville's Surgical Services offers:

Physician's choice of two on-campus site locations for surgery: Main Surgery or Outpatient Surgery Center.
A Pre-Admission Testing program (PAT) which allows you to have the opportunity to meet or be phoned by a Registered Nurse and or Nurse Practitioner to obtain medical history, evaluation and required tests prior to the day of your surgery.
Friendly and easy-to-use Baptist Health Louisville website to pre-register for tests and procedures online. Registration must be completed at least 24 hours in advance.
Convenient nearby parking and Valet service is available.
A separate waiting area for your family during your surgical procedure.
Private pre-operative and recovery areas so your family can be with you before and after your surgery.
Consultation rooms where your doctor can talk privately with your family after your surgery.

Patient instructions

Registering on-line for surgery

Once your procedure is scheduled, there are two easy ways to pre-register. You can register by phone by calling 502.896.7559 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., or you can register on-line. You will need to provide your insurance information and social security number.

Pre-Admission Testing for surgery

With Baptist Health Louisville's Pre-admission Testing program, you can have your appointment scheduled to meet with the RN to obtain your medical history and any pertinent testing done up to 14 days prior to the date of your surgery, unless directed otherwise by your physician.

Your surgeon's office will let you know of your scheduled appointment for Pre-admission Testing. If you have questions concerning your appointment, call 502.897.8044.

Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pre-admission Testing is closed on weekends and holidays. Please plan on spending a minimum of one hour for your testing. If you are having a knee or hip replacement, your testing includes a physical therapy class and will take significantly longer.

To park for your PAT appointment, please enter at the Main Entrance and park in lot 1. Proceed to the Main entrance of the hospital. Go straight down the main hall to the PAT desk on the right. If you need assistance the morning of your appointment, please call 502.897.8044.

If your physician does require you to have a PAT appointment, a Registered Nurse will attempt to contact you to obtain medical history before the day of surgery.

Before you arrive for your pre-admission appointment:

You may eat or drink and take routine medications the day of your testing, unless specified by your doctor.
Bring any papers/orders from your doctor's office.
Bring bottles of medication with you, with the dosage and times they are to be taken.
Bring a copy of your Living Will, if you have one.
Bring insurance cards and a photo ID.
Please notify your surgeon if you are currently taking diet pills. You must discontinue taking diet pills two weeks prior to your surgery.

The day before surgery:

If you have not received your surgery arrival time, you will receive a call the day prior to your surgery.
Please notify your physician if you have any changes in your medical condition prior to your scheduled surgery.
You are to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight including water, mints or gum. You may brush your teeth the morning of surgery.
Only take the medications you were directed to take by your physician or PAT nurse.
A responsible adult MUST accompany you on discharge and for 24 hours following your surgery. Please be aware: you will not be allowed to drive yourself home after your procedure.

On the day of your surgery:

Please leave all valuables, including jewelry, at home.
Bring your routine medications in their prescription bottles, including eye drops, ointments, diabetes medications and/or insulin, any inhalers, C-PAP or BI-PAP.
Bring all papers and written orders given to you in the doctor's office including x-rays or sterilization permits, if applicable.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and warm socks.
Do not wear contact lenses or makeup.
Bring a case for your glasses.
Bring crutches or walker if applicable

For pediatric patients:

Bring a bottle, pacifier, drinking cup, extra diapers or underwear, favorite blanket or small stuffed toy.
Your child should not eat anything (including food, gum, candy or mints) after midnight the night before their scheduled surgery.
Exception: children nine years old and younger may have clear liquids up to two hours before the scheduled surgery. Clear liquids include water, sugar-water, Pedialyte or apple juice.

When you arrive:

After you check in at the surgical registration desk, you will be taken to the pre-op area where you will be prepped for surgery. A nurse will review your health history, check your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and answer any questions about your procedure. Also, an intravenous (IV) catheter will be inserted.
Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will see you in the pre-op area, review your health history and answer your questions.
A friend or family member may stay with you until you go into the operating room.

During surgery:

During surgery you will be cared for by our highly trained operating room staff that consists of your surgeon, surgical tech, registered nurse and a member of the anesthesia staff.

After your surgery

When your surgery is complete you will be taken to a recovery room area, where a nurse will watch you closely and continue to monitor you.
As you wake up, we will make you as comfortable as possible.
If you were scheduled to go home, once you are stable you will be discharged with your responsible adult to continue your recovery at home. You will receive written instructions about your diet, activity and pain medicine, follow-up visit and when to seek medical attention. Please be aware, for the first 24 hours after anesthesia, do not drive, operate any equipment, sign any important documents or make any important decisions.

If you're admitted to the hospital

Baptist Health Louisville attempts to meet your every need. If you will be admitted to the hospital after your surgery, a room assignment will be made accordingly. A private room cannot be guaranteed due to limited availability.

Financial arrangements

Before your surgery, you should contact your insurance company to see how much your policy will pay. If your policy requires a pre-certification number, check with your physician's office staff to make sure it has been obtained.

If you do not have insurance, please contact the Financial Counseling Manager at 502.897.8157 before admission for an explanation of Baptist Health Louisville's deposit requirements for uninsured patients.

When you come to the hospital, bring your insurance identification card. Your physician, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, radiologist and pathologist are not employees of the hospital. They will bill you directly for their services.

We thank you very much for choosing Baptist Health Louisville for your surgery.

If you have further questions regarding your surgery, please contact your physician.