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Prepare Program at Mount Zion

Before a surgical procedure at our Mount Zion hospital, your doctor will schedule an appointment for you at the Prepare Program, our anesthesia and surgical evaluation program. Our Prepare Program staff will ensure you're ready for surgery and that you complete the necessary tests before your operation.

Your appointment will include hospital registration, financial counseling and a health evaluation.

The health evaluation includes:

  • Brief medical history and physical exam completed by a nurse practitioner or anesthesiologist
  • Discussion about anesthesia during your procedure and pain control after the procedure
  • Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs measured

A blood test, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram (ECG) may be performed

You doctor can arrange a Prepare appointment by phone if:

  • You're in good health and less than 60 years old
  • You have visited the Prepare Clinic within the last three months with no change in health

See our pre-admission guide "For Our Patients" and information about the Prepare for Surgery workshop at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Mount Zion.

Getting Here

Prepare Program at Mount Zion
1600 Divisadero St., Suite A-324
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 885-7670
Fax: (415) 885-7693

Hours: Monday to Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What to Bring

  • Health insurance information including authorizations or referrals
  • List of prescription medications and dosages
  • List of medications that you're allergic to
  • List of questions you may have
  • Recent test results related to your condition
  • Paper and pencil to take notes

What to Expect

    We will provide instructions for your hospital admission, including where to check in and restrictions regarding what you may eat and drink before your operation.

    On the day of your surgery, please arrive two hours prior to your scheduled procedure. You may be asked to complete additional forms on the day of your operation.

Research and Clinical Trials

Last updated May 17, 2012

Day of Admission

Surgical Patient's Day of Admission

If you are a surgical patient, please arrive at the hospital at the time indicated by your doctor's office or the Prepare Clinic. When you arrive, please go to the pre-operative waiting room in M-104J on the first floor of the hospital, unless you have been told otherwise.

  • A receptionist in the pre-operative waiting room will greet you and let the surgical staff know you have arrived.
  • A staff member will escort you to the pre-surgical area, where you will be assigned a comfortable gurney, asked to put on a hospital gown and be prepared for surgery. One friend or relative may wait with you until you are taken to surgery.
  • If you would like to meet with a chaplain before your surgery, please call to make an appointment.
  • A nurse will take your vital signs. The anesthesiologist will visit you to review the anesthesia and answer any questions you may have.
  • If an epidural is used for anesthesia and pain management, it may be started at this time.
  • Once the surgical team and the operating room is ready, you will be taken to the operating room and your friend or relative will be asked to return to the pre-operative waiting room.
  • Your friend or relative may track your progress by asking the receptionist in the waiting room.
  • After your surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The PACU provides post anesthesia or sedation care and can accommodate extended stay patients if needed. No visitors are allowed in this unit. You will go upstairs to your room when the doctors feel you are ready.

Parking

Parking at Mount Zion

Public parking is available in a parking garage at 1635 Divisadero St., which is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday. The garage entrance is on Sutter Street. The rate is $2 for each 20 minute period, or $6 an hour. For up to 12 hours, the fee is $20.

Metered street parking is rarely available.

For more information about parking at Mount Zion, call (415) 441-5408.

Public Transportation

Mount Zion

UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion is accessible via the following Muni bus routes:

  • No. 2*
  • No. 38*
  • No. 4
  • No. 24

The No. 1 California bus route stops at the corner of California and Divisadero streets, which is three blocks north of Mount Zion.

For more information about Muni visit, www.sfmuni.com.

* Wheelchair accessible bus routes

UCSF Shuttles

Free UCSF shuttles travel between the Parnassus and Mount Zion campuses as well as other UCSF locations. For your convenience we have a Parnassus-Mount Zion Express Shuttle that leaves every 15 minutes.

The shuttle departs from Parnassus in front of the UCSF Kalmanovitz Library at 530 Parnassus Ave.

  • At Mount Zion, the shuttle departs in front of the UCSF Shuttle sign at the corner of Sutter and Divisadero streets.
  • The first shuttle of the day leaves Parnassus at 6:45 a.m.
  • The last shuttle of the day leaves Parnassus at 8:45 p.m.

For more information about UCSF transportation, please call (415) 476-1511.

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