Children's Surgery Center

Prepare

Before your child's scheduled surgery, your doctor will schedule an appointment for you with the Prepare Clinic, our anesthesia and surgical evaluation program. The Prepare Program is designed to make sure your child is ready for surgery and to provide tests and blood work. The Prepare appointment includes hospital registration and financial counseling.

The clinic is located on the first floor of the UCSF Medical Center in room L170. Usually, your child's Prepare appointment will take place the week prior to admission and will last one to two hours. If you live outside the Bay Area and need hotel accommodations, please arrange for lodging for the night before surgery. Our Physician Referral Service has information about local lodging arrangements. Please call (888) 689-UCSF.

If your child is in good health or has been seen by the Prepare Program within the last three months with no change in medical condition, you may have a phone appointment instead. Your child's doctor will make this decision.

Your child's Prepare evaluation will include:

• Vital signs - blood pressure, heart rate, etc. - will be measured.
• A nurse practitioner or anesthesia doctor will complete a brief medical history and physical examination. An anesthesia doctor or nurse practitioner will to talk to you about anesthesia and pain during and after your child's operation.
• Your child may have an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood test or chest X-ray.

During the Prepare appointment, we will provide instructions for the day of your child's admission, including restrictions on what he or she may eat or drink before. You will be told when to arrive and where to check in. Please plan to arrive two hours before the scheduled operation. You also may be asked to complete forms required for admission.