Before Your Stay at UPMC Northwest

Preadmission Process

If you are coming to UPMC Northwest or an inpatient stay, please report to the Emergency Department and bring your insurance card and claim forms if they are necessary.

If you are admitted under an emergency, a designed friend or relative may be asked to provide the necessary information. To assure that your insurance requirements are met, we may ask about your carrier’s second surgical opinion or pre-certification requirements. After we obtain your insurance information, we will verify coverage with your insurance carrier(s).

If you are not insured or your insurance information cannot be verified, a financial counselor will contact you or one of your family members. In order to avoid a financial penalty, your insurance carrier may require you to contact them directly prior to your admission or shortly thereafter. If you are an urgent or emergency admission, the hospital assumes the responsibility for notifying your carrier.

Pre-admission testing

You may be requested to complete laboratory studies or other test in preparation. Your doctor will let you know when you should get any tests done and any special instructions that you will need to follow.

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Before Surgery

Advance directive

An advance directive is a written document that expresses the individual's wishes for medical care if he or she becomes incompetent or incapacitated. Advance directives may include living wills, health care agents, or durable powers of attorney.

When you are admitted to the hospital, a staff member will ask you if you have already prepared an advance directive. If you have an advanced directive, and a copy is available, it will be placed in your medical record. More information and sample forms are available in Making Medical Decisions in Advance. If you would like information about writing advance directives or making decisions about life-sustaining treatment, please ask your doctor.

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Day of Surgery

The Same Day Surgery Unit provides surgical and diagnostic procedures on an out-patient or ambulatory basis. Same Day Services/Short Procedure Unit patients are admitted as outpatients to UPMC Northwest, have surgery or other special procedures, and are discharged on the same day.

Reminders for same day surgery patients:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes that can be easily folded. A patient gown will be provided to you.
• Do not wear makeup, nail polish, or jewelry.
• Do not bring valuables with you.
• Bring a list of medications, or if requested, bring the medications that you take regularly with you.
• Bring a lens case if you wear contact lenses.
• Bring a copy of your Advance Directive or Living Will (if you have one) to the hospital
• Follow any instructions regarding food, drink, and medication, as it may be important for the administration of anesthesia.

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