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The Days Before a Procedure

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Procedure Preparation Checklists

Leading up to Your Child's Procedure | Day Before the Procedure | What to Bring on the Day of the Procedure

Leading up to Your Child's Procedure

  • Have I scheduled a physical exam with my child's primary care physician to occur no more than 30 days before the procedure date?
  • Has the primary care physician completed and signed the medical history and physical exam form?
  • Have I notified Surgery Registration that my child, family or I have special communication needs (hearing, visual or language)?
      Cincinnati Children's Burnet Campus: 513-636-8897
      Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus: 513-803-9820
  • Have I received authorization from my insurance company, if required by my insurance contract?
  • Have I registered for the preoperative tour?
           Cincinnati Children's Burnet Campus: 513-636-8897 
           Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus: 513-803-9820
    • Have I discussed my child's medical history with the doctor?
      • The reason for the procedure
      • Medications my child is taking
      • Allergies to medicine, food or latex
      • Any family history of problems with anesthesia  
      • Immunization record
      • Previous illnesses or operations
      • Previous hospital stays (admissions), tests or treatments
      • Anything that might put my child at risk during the hospital visit
    • Have I asked my surgeon about any special equipment I may need at home after surgery?
    • Have I made plans for someone to care for other children while I am at the hospital?
    • Does the hospital have the most current phone number where I can be reached?
    • (For families coming from out of town) Have I called Guest Services at 800-344-2462 for help making travel and lodging plans?
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        Day Before the Procedure

        • Have I reviewed the instructions for eating and drinking before the procedure?
        • Does my child have a cold, a fever, a rash or fever blister? If so, please call your doctor. The procedure may need to be done at a later date. 
        • Have I talked with my child about the procedure? Have we read books about hospitals and operations?
        • Have I reviewed the information about anesthesia?
        • Has my child taken a bath or shower and removed all make-up, nail polish, and all pierced and other jewelry?
        • Do I have plenty of clear liquids, such as water, sugar water, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, apple juice, pulp-free juices, breast milk, Pedialyte, soft drinks and popsicles?
        • Do I have a supply of acetaminophen products, such as Tylenol?
        • Have I planned quiet games and activities following the procedure?
        • Have I made plans for getting to and from Cincinnati Children's?  
        • Have I made plans to be with my child or have another adult there while my child recovers at home?
        • Have I arranged for someone to care for other children while I am at the hospital?

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        What to Bring on the Day of the Procedure

        • Insurance cards, medical cards and child's Social Security number
        • Completed medical history and physical exam form
        • Proof of guardianship (for court-appointed guardians)
        • A list of medications your child is taking 
        • Containers for glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures (leave valuables, such as jewelry, at home)
        • Favorite toy, blanket or comfort item
        • Special bottle, nipple, pacifier or sipper cup
        • Loose, comfortable clothing for your child to wear after the procedure 
        • Something to occupy your time while you are waiting, like a book, magazines, or knitting

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