Pre-admission Testing
Prior to the day of your surgery, you will visit the Pre-admission Testing Office for tests and an interview with one of our nurses. The date and time of the pre-admission testing will be scheduled at the time of your office visit with your cardiac surgeon.
The Pre-admission Testing Office is located in the Greenberg Pavilion (3 West). Enter the hospital at the 525 East 68th Street entrance. Turn right at the information desk, and follow the signs to the "G" elevators (Greenberg Pavilion). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Turn right and follow the signs to 3 West. Pre-admission tests typically include blood tests, urine analysis, a chest x-ray, and an electrocardiogram. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a nurse interviewer who will review your medical history, give you some pre-surgery instructions, and answer any questions you might have. If English is NOT your first language, please tell us so that arrangements can be made for a translator.
Blood Donation
Most surgery is performed without the use of blood products. If your doctor should decide that a blood transfusion might be needed to replace blood lost during surgery, blood can be donated in advance specifically for you [click here to learn more about blood donation]; if a transfusion is needed, this donated blood will be used first. If needed, blood from screened donors that has been carefully tested for hepatitis, HIV, and other viruses will be used.
The Night Before Surgery
The following suggestions for your preparation for surgery are intended to help ensure that your stay at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center will proceed as smoothly as possible.
- The night before your surgery, you may continue with your usual activities unless told otherwise by your doctor.
- Take all your prescribed medication with a minimal amount of water the night before and the morning of your surgery unless your physician tells you otherwise. You should not take anticoagulant (blood thinning) medications such as aspirin, Plavix, or coumadin. If you have any questions about your medications, ask your doctor.
- You may be asked to shower twice with a special soap on the night before your surgery.
- Eat your usual diet on the evening before your surgery, but do NOT eat or drink after midnight, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What to Bring to the Hospital
The items that you should prepare in advance to bring on the day of surgery include:
- Storage case for dentures or other dental work, hearing aids, glasses or contact lenses
- Insurance card and personal identification
- A copy of your health care proxy and/or living will, if you have one. If you do not have one, please complete the health care proxy form that was included in your admission folder
- A list of medications you are currently taking
- Key personal items, like dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aid, etc.
- Do NOT bring anything valuable (jewelry, watches, rings, credit cards, cash, etc.)
What to Expect
The Day of Your Surgery
Do NOT eat or drink anything before surgery except small sips of water taken with your medications, as directed by your physician.
Where to Go
If you are not already at the hospital, you will receive instructions telling you when to arrive. Enter the hospital at the 525 East 68th Street entrance. Turn right at the information desk, and follow the signs to the "G" elevators (Greenberg Pavilion). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Turn right and follow the signs to 3 West.
If you are already in the hospital, you and your family can wait in your room until you are called to the operating room. During your surgery, your family can wait in the 4th floor visitor's lounge. Here, your family will be informed when the surgery is finished and will be updated on your condition. After your surgery, your family will be allowed to visit you for short periods of time after you are admitted to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (ICU; 4 West).
The Operating Room
When you reach the brightly lit operating room, you will be greeted by your healthcare team, including heart surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physician assistants. In preparation for your surgery:
- Intravenous lines will be inserted
- Your anesthesiologist will administer medication through your intravenous lines to help you relax and feel drowsy
- A team member will shave the surgical site to remove any hair
- After you are asleep, other tubes and monitoring devices will be applied. These include an endotracheal tube -- to help you breathe during and after surgery -- and a Foley catheter, a tube that drains urine from the bladder. The Foley catheter is usually removed the second day after surgery. At the end of the surgery, a chest tube will be inserted to drain excess fluid
