Pre-admission Clinic

The Pre-admission Clinic helps you and your care team prepare for your surgery.

The pre-admission care team will:

• ensure that you are ready for surgery,
• provide you with information and resources regarding your stay,
• identify resources you may require after surgery, and
• determine if you require any more testing prior to surgery.

The day prior to your appointment you may receive a call from a:

• nurse
• anesthesiologist and/or
• medical internist.

They will complete a portion of your assessments over the phone to improve the flow of your in-person visit.

During your pre-admission visit, you will meet with a nurse.

You may also meet with a:

• anesthesiologist and/or nurse practitioner,
• medical internist,
• medical radiation technologist,
• physiotherapist,
• occupational therapist or
• research assistant.

The nurse will review:

• your health and discuss any concerns you may have,
• what to expect during your hospital stay, and
• ways to prepare for your discharge home.

Some patients have a health assessment by telephone and do not have to attend in person.

We will contact you with an appointment time and provide you with one of the following booklets that will act as your guide before your surgery, during your hospital stay, and throughout your recovery:

• A Guide for Patients Having Orthopaedic Surgery
• A Guide for Patients Having Hip or Knee Replacement

The pre-admission visit is a great place to ask questions; please make your list and bring it with you.

On average, the pre-admission visit will take approximately 2 hours.

• Eat, drink and take all of your regular medications the day of your appointment
• Bring your medications in their original containers
  
• Bring a list of vitamins, supplements and herbal products that you take
• Bring current reports from any specialist you may be seeing, such as your cardiologist or hematologist
• Bring the name and telephone number of your family doctor and specialists
• Bring your most recent pacemaker clinic check, if applicable, and your wallet card / defibrillator information including model and serial number
• Bring your Ontario Health Card and supplementary insurance information with insurance company policy/certificate group plan/type of coverage
• Please let the team know if you require an interpreter and need assistance moving around the clinic
• Bring your patient guide
• Contact number where you can be reached before your surgery
• If you are having surgery at the Holland Centre and flying home after surgery, please call the Pre-admission Clinic with your flight number. We will arrange medical clearance to fly. Telephone: 416-967-8532.

Please consult one of the following guides:

• A Guide for Patients Having Orthopaedic Surgery
• A Guide for Patients Having Hip or Knee Replacement

If you develop cold, flu, or stomach symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea before your surgery, call your surgeon’s office. If surgery must be postponed because of illness, we will make every effort to arrange a new surgical date as soon as possible.

If you are having surgery at the Bayview Campus, and you need to cancel or postpone within 48 hours of your surgery, call your surgeon’s office as well as the Surgical Services cancellation line at 416-480-6100 ext. 685141.

If you are having surgery at the Holland Centre, and these symptoms occur on the weekend prior to a Monday surgery, please call the hospital at 416-967-8500, select “0” and ask for the Hospital Coordinator.

Person-centred care brings what you know, care about, prefer and need into the centre of your health care. You are the most important partner in your care. We are here to develop a healing relationship with you that is built on trust, respect and dignity.

We welcome your questions and want you to be active in your health care. We invite you and your family to be our partners in care.

As a patient at Sunnybrook, we see you as a person first. Your voice is heard; we listen to you.

How can I take part in my care?

• Share information by telling us what is most important to you. Tell us about your goals, concerns, worries, preferences and care needs. Tell us about your family and any others who care about your health.

• Ask questions. Ask us to explain your diagnosis, treatments and care plan. Ask us about anything you don’t understand. Feel free to write questions or concerns on your Communication Board in your room.

Work with your health care team by talking about who is caring for you and what will happen after you leave the hospital. Talk with us about how we can support your emotional and physical needs. Take notes to remember details about what is discussed.

MyChart is an online website where patients can create and manage their personal health information based on clinical and personal information. MyChart is accessible from anywhere at any time through the Internet.

• Holland Bone and Joint Program at Sunnybrook
• Musculoskeletal patient education
• Your Health Matters – Bone & joint health section
• Ontario Physiotherapy Association
• Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
• The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
• Quit Smoking class at Sunnybrook - 416-480-4534 or e-mail at patienteducation@sunnybrook.ca, e-mail questions to smokingcessation@sunnybrook.ca
• MyChart
• Video: Preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery