Preparing for Surgery
How to Pre-Register?
After the physician has
scheduled the surgery or a procedure, a Baltimore Washington Medical Center staff member
will call to pre-register the patient by phone. The Pre-Registration Department can be reached by calling (410) 787-4437.
What information is needed to Pre-Register?
The patient will need to have the following
information ready when he/she is called:
- Patient's full legal name and address, including county
- Home phone number and daytime number if different than home number
- Religion
- Marital status
- Social Security Number
- Name of insurance holder, his or her home address and phone number, and his or her work address and work phone number
- Name of insurance company, mailing address, policy and group number
- Patient's employer, address, phone number and occupation
- Name, address and phone number of nearest relative
- Name, address and phone number of someone to notify in case of emergency (this can be the same as the nearest relative)
Is it necessary to contact the insurance company?
Yes, for two reasons:
1. To find out if pre-authorization, pre-certification or a referral form is required.
2. To find out if a second opinion is needed for surgery.
Failure to make this call may result in a reduction of benefits or possible cancellation of surgery.
What if the patient doesn't have insurance?
Please notify the Registration Staff when he/she is called for
pre-registration that the patient will need help in making payment arrangements.
If the patient is a member of an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), will the registration procedure be different?
No, however, the patient will need to call the HMO once the procedure has been scheduled to arrange for pre-admission
lab studies that must be completed. The patient will need to call the primary care physician to find out where the testing
may be done.
How will the patient be billed for services?
After the procedure, the patient may receive separate bills from the anesthesiologist,
the hospital, cardiology, radiology and pathology departments and if applicable, the surgical assistant. If the insurance carrier has specific
requirements regarding participation status, please contact the patient's carrier.
If the patient is admitted for an overnight stay at Baltimore Washington Medical Center he/she may want TV and telephone service. The fees are $10 for TV
service and $10 for telephone service. Fees may be collected once the patient has been transported to his/her assigned room or a family member
may also stop into the Admitting Department to pay the fee, for one or both services, once a room assignment is made.
What is Pre-Admission Screening?
Pre-Admission Screening consists of a telephone interview with a Pre-Surgical RN. She will
review medical history, including current medications and allergies, answer any questions or give further instructions for the day before and
the day of the procedure. The Pre-Surgical RN will contact the patient prior to the procedure date or if necessary they can be reached at
(410) 787-4745 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.
What is the purpose of pre-admission testing?
Pre-admission testing is a routine preparation for surgery, complex radiology procedures and medical procedures based on the patient's age and
medical history. It allows time for the physicians to evaluate test results and resolve any problems before the surgery or procedure. Testing may
include chest x-ray, EKG and/or blood tests.
Pre-admission testing is completed either through the HMO, primary care physician or in the Presurgical Testing Department. The testing at Baltimore Washington Medical Center can only take place when the insurance carrier permits.
Testing should be completed 7 - 14 days before the procedure or surgery. However, if the doctor requests a Type and Screen or Type and Crossmatch for
possible blood transfusion, this must be done at Baltimore Washington Medical Center within 13 days of the surgery. Please bring any papers from the doctor when the patient comes for testing.
Co-Payments:
The co-payment is due the day of the procedure. Pre-registration should be able to verify the co-pay amount prior to arrival. If the patient would like to apply for financial assistance through the medical center, please call 410-787-4517 for an application.
Where should the patient go?
Report to the Information Desk in the Main Lobby of Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
When should the patient arrive?
The day before the surgery or procedure, please call (410-787-4610) after 2 p.m. to confirm the time of the procedure, and the time and location
the patient should report to for admission. If the procedure is on Monday, call the Friday before.
Can the patient eat, drink or chew gum before surgery?
No, unless given specific instructions otherwise by the Pre-Screening Nurse.
What should the patient bring?
Please bring, your insurace card(s), co-payment if applicable, non-skid slippers and leave al other valuables at home. If you are spending the night also include
a bathrobe and grooming articles.
Where will the patient park?
Ample parking is available on the hospital grounds. For your convenience,
you may park in the parking garage adjacent to the hospital. We also have free valet parking services available at the main entrance of the hospital (Mon, Tues, Fri 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Wed, Thurs 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Will the patient be able to drive home?
No. A responsible adult must be present to drive the patient home after the procedure, and should stay with the patient for
the first 24 hours.
How can the patient arrange for In-Home Nursing Help?
Please tell the pre-surgical nurse if the patient anticipates a need for in-home nursing services. Following surgery, the surgeon may order
Support Services as needed. The patient may need to check if the insurance carrier covers in-home services.
Anesthesia & You
Who are the Anesthesiologists?
The Pre-anesthesia Surgical Screening Clinic, Operating Room and Post Anesthesia Care Unit are staffed by Board Certified and Board Eligible Physician
Anesthesiologists. Each member of the service is an individual practitioner with privileges to practice at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The
Anesthesia Department is a corporation and takes all types of insurance coverage. Please call the Severn Anesthesia Services at (410-768-1234) with any questions.
What types of Anesthesia are available?
Decisions regarding anesthesia are tailored to the personal needs of the patient. There are five main types:
- General Anesthesia provides a deep sleep state.
- IV Sedation provides light sleep.
- Regional Anesthesia involves the injection of a local anesthetic to provide numbness, loss of pain or loss of sensation to a large region of the body. Regional anesthetic techniques include spinal blocks, epidural blocks and arm and leg blocks. Medications can be given to make you drowsy and blur your memory.
- Monitored Anesthesia Care consists of local anesthetic injections as well as constant monitoring by an Anesthesiologist.
- Local Anesthesia, which provides numbness to a small area, may be injected by the surgeon.
Are there side effects?
The Anesthesiologist will discuss the risks and benefits associated with the different anesthetic options, as well as any complications or side effects that can occur with each type of anesthetic. Nausea or vomiting may be related to anesthesia or the type of surgical procedure. Although less of a problem today because of improved anesthetic agents and techniques,
these side effects continue to occur for some patients. Medications to treat nausea and vomiting will be given if needed. The amount of discomfort the patient experiences will depend on several factors, especially the type of surgery. The doctors and nurses can relieve pain with medications.
Discomfort should be tolerable, but do not expect to be totally pain free.
Exercise Your Right:
Put Health Care Decisions in Writing
It is the policy of Baltimore Washington Medical Centerl to place patients' wishes and individual considerations at the forefront
of their care, and to respect and uphold those wishes.
What are advance medical directives?
Advance directives are a means of communicating to all caregivers the patients' wishes regarding health care. If a patient has a living will or has appointed a health care
agent, and is no longer able to express his or her wishes to the physician, family or hospital staff, the hospital is committed to honoring the wishes of the patient as they
are documented at the time the patient was able to make that determination.
There are different types of advance directives:
- Living Wills are written instructions that explain the patient's
wishes for health care if he/she has a terminal condition or irreversible coma, and are unable to communicate.
- Appointment of A Health Care Agent (sometimes called a Medical Power of
Attorney) is a document that lets the patient name a person (agent) to make medical decisions for them,
if he/she becomes unable to do so.
- Health Care Instructions are the patient's specific choices regarding use of
life sustaining equipment, hydration and nutrition, and use of pain medications. On admission to the hospital, the patient will be asked if he/she has an advance directive. If he/she does, they should bring copies of the documents to the hospital with them
so they can become a part of his/her medical record. Advance directives are not a requirement for hospital admission.
For More Information or forms for completing a living will, appointment of a health care agent or health care instructions, write to:
Maryland Attorney Generals Office
Opinions Section
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21201
Or
You may obtain copies of the forms at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
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