Pre-Surgical Testing (PST)

Helpful Information for Your Child's Surgery

Pre-Admission Registration Form

If you have not completed a registration form in your physicians office, please fill out the registration forms and fax them back within three days to the number listed on the top of the form.The information you give the Admitting Office will help us prepare your child's admission record and confirm your insurance coverage.

Pre-Surgical Screening Form and Immunization Records

Both the Pre-Surgical Screening Form and the Immunization Record must be completed prior to the surgery.

A physical exam is required before surgery. It may be performed by your childs surgeon, your childs pediatrician, or at our Pre-Surgical Testing Center, located at Lenox Hill Hospital. If you choose our Pre-Surgical Testing Center, please call 212 434-2136 to make an appointment.

Please bring a copy of your childs immunization record or obtain this information from your Pediatrician prior to the appointment.

If you have the medical clearance performed at your Pediatricians office, bring copies of the Pre-Surgical Screening Form as well as your childs immunization record with you on the day of the surgery. Without these forms, the procedure cannot be performed.

Please Call Your Surgeon if Your Child

• Has been exposed to a contagious disease like chicken pox or strep throat.
• Has had a cold or upper respiratory tract infection during the two weeks before the surgery date.

If your child has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing or a runny nose, surgery may need to be cancelled. Be sure to call your surgeon and the Admitting Office at 212-434-3198.

When to Stop Eating and Drinking Before Surgery

Eating

• You may hear the following terms:
• NPO means nothing by mouth.
• It is important for your child to stop eating and drinking before the scheduled procedure as you are instructed by your surgeon.
• Your child cannot chew gum, have candy, or food after midnight the night before surgery.
• Clear fluid clear fluid is fluid without pulp and allows newspaper to be read clearly when it is placed behind a glass of fluid. Some examples are filtered apple juice, water, pedialyte, white grape juice or ginger ale. Milk and orange juice are not clear fluids.

Drinking

• Children may have 8 ounces of clear fluids (about 1 cup) up to 3 hours before surgery.
• They cannot drink anything else after the 3 hour mark.
• Formula fed babies may have a bottle up to 7 hours before surgery.
• Breastfed babies may nurse up to 5 hours before surgery.

The Day of Your Child's Surgery

You must bring the following items with you when you come to the hospital

• Pre-Surgical Screening Form
• Immunization Records
• Consultation letters from all specialists your child has seen
• Picture identification for parent or legal guardian
• Guardianship papers if needed
• Health Insurance card or pre-approval information if required. (If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, please call your insurance company prior to the surgery).
• A favorite toy or hand-held toy, stuffed animal, book, blanket or pacifier for infants.

One parent may accompany his or her child (under 19) to the Operating Room, but will be asked to leave prior to the start of the procedure. A parent will be brought to the Recovery Room upon the childs arrival to provide additional comfort and a familiar face.

If your child is to be admitted, you and your child will be brought to a room on the Pediatric Unit located on the second floor of Lenox Hill Hospital. Our rooms are equipped with sleepers so you can stay overnight. There he/she will be cared for by our expert Pediatric Hospitalists and nursing staff in addition to your surgeon.

After Surgery

You can expect a nurse to contact you after discharge to inquire about your childs progress. Please follow the home care instructions carefully. If you have any questions or problems, contact your surgeons office directly.

Important Things to Remember

A parent or legal guardian must be with your child on the day of the surgery. Legal guardians must bring the appropriate signed and notarized consent papers the day of the childs surgery.

Parents/guardian must be available to discuss home care instructions upon discharge of your minor.

Your child will need and benefit from your full attention on the day of surgery. Please do not bring other children with you on the day of surgery. Children under 18 years of age are not able to visit in the recovery room.