Before Your Stay at UPMC Harrisburg

Preadmission testing (lab work, EKGs, x-rays, etc.) can be done on a walk-in basis at UPMC Harrisburg.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all minors under 18 years of age. Do not fast unless instructed to do so by your surgeon. The last meal eaten before coming for preadmission testing should be low in fatty foods, milk, and milk products.

See page 26 of the book for locations for blood work.

What to Expect at Pre-Admission Testing

Your pre-admission appointment may take up to 2 hours. During your visit, our team will gather your medical history and conduct needed tests. We'll also answer your questions to help ease any concerns and ensure a safe stay at UPMC Harrisburg.

Upon arrival, you will be asked to fill out a medical history form before any tests are done. Please bring the following items with you the day of your appointment:

• About Your Surgery booklet
• Photo ID and insurance cards
• Any paperwork that your physician has given you
• Your current medications (or a list of them)
• A list of all allergies
• A copy of your advance directive (living will)

During your visit, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant will:

• Examine you.
• Ask you questions about your health.
• Complete any tests your surgeon requires.

Seven Days Prior

Approximately one week prior to your surgery, a member of the preadmission department will call you to complete your preadmission medical history and obtain a list of your medications. If are taking a blood thinner or are on aspirin products, ibuprofen, Motrin, Plavix, or NSAIDS and you have not received instructions from your prescribing provider on when or if to discontinue prior to your surgery, please call them today to receive those instructions.

One Day Prior

On the business day prior to your surgery, a member of the preadmission department will call you to provide your surgery time, arrival time to the hospital, and all final instructions. Please have the About Your Surgery booklet available when you receive this call.

If you have not been called by 4 p.m., please contact the hospital preadmission testing department. 717-960-3465 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note: the preadmission department is closed on holidays and weekends.

The night before your surgery, do not drink any alcoholic beverages. Patients should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night prior to surgery unless otherwise instructed on the preadmission call.

Do not smoke after midnight prior to your surgery or procedure.

In general, you can take all medications, including pain and acid reduction medications as well as beta-blockers, early in the morning of your surgery with a sip of water. There are some exceptions, so please discuss your list of medications during the preadmission call.

Advance Directives

You may want to consider drafting an advance directive before your surgery or admission to the hospital, if you haven't already.

An advance directive is a written document that expresses your wishes for medical care if you become incompetent or incapacitated.

These include:

• Living wills
• Health care agents
• Powers of attorney

Learn more about UPMC's advance directives.

What to Bring

• Health insurance cards
• Personal identification cards
• Your doctors’ names and phone numbers
• Advance directives, Power of Attorney or Living Will if you have one
• Medical history
• List of medications. Please be sure to include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and any herbal or natural supplements. (Only bring actual medications to the hospital with you if instructed by physician.)
• Bring any inhalers and eye drops along with you and give them to your nurse when you arrive.
• If you have sleep apnea, bring your CPAP machine with you.
• Bag or backpack to carry your personal items.
• Toiletries such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, soap, shampoo, a comb or hair brush.
• Since eyeglasses, contact lenses, prosthesis, and dentures must be removed before surgery, please remember to bring protective containers. Please bring your own contact solution.
• Writing paper and pen, for making notes or recording questions you want to ask your doctor.
• You may wish to have about $5-10 with you for newspapers or other items.
• Breastfeeding mothers should bring their own breast pumps to the hospital.

What to Leave at Home

• Money, credit cards, or other valuables should be left at home. Keep no more than $5-10 at your bedside for newspapers or small convenience items.
• UPMC does not accept responsibility for the loss of or damage to any belongings brought into the hospital except for those that have been deposited in the hospital safe. Patients are urged to leave articles at home that they consider to be of personal value. Belongings that are retained at the bedside are the sole responsibility of the patient.
• Leave all of your regular medications at home, except inhalers and prescription eye drops, unless your physician specifically asks you to bring them.
• If you are staying overnight, please leave large items like suitcases or walkers in your car until you have been assigned a room. A family member will need to retrieve them later.

Before You Go

• Jewelry and body piercings may increase a patient's risk of surgical burns from the medical equipment used during surgery. All jewelry, including piercings of any type, i.e. any skin piercings or dermals, and your wedding band, must be removed. If your wedding band cannot be removed, please go to a jeweler to have it removed.
• Shower or bathe and brush your teeth as usual the morning of surgery. Please swish and spit do not drink.
• Please do not wear lotion, powder, deodorant, makeup, or alcohol-based hair product (e.g., gels, hairspray).
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes with flat heels.
• Arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home after the surgery or procedure. You may not drive yourself home after receiving anesthesia.
• Please ensure you have a responsible adult staying with you overnight after your surgery.
• Two adults may accompany children who are having outpatient surgery. Please do not bring children other than the patient.

Be Prepared to Let Us Know

• Diet restrictions and preferences
• Language interpretation and communication assistance needs
• Religious or cultural preferences
• Other special needs

Parking

View location, directions, and parking information for UPMC Harrisburg.

When You Arrive

Patient registration is located through the main entrance, first floor on the left-hand side of the main hallway.

Our focus is to make the registration process pleasant and convenient for our patients. Upon your arrival for outpatient services or inpatient stay, please visit the registration reception desk to obtain a ticket to be directed to the next available representative for your service.

• About Your Surgery Guide (PDF)
• Getting Ready for Surgery Guide (PDF)
• Labor & Delivery Checklist (PDF)