What is PASS?

Washington Regional is pleased to offer the PASS Program. PASS is a Pre-Admission Surgical Screening designed to ensure the best possible surgical experience for you, our patient. All surgical patients are encouraged to undergo PASS prior to their scheduled date of surgery.

The program will identify any changes in your health status that may affect your ability to have surgery. By working together with your physician, we will conduct a complete health history and provide educational services in person or via telephone 3-30 days prior to your surgery date. The screening allows our team an appropriate time frame to evaluate and/or correct any issues that may prevent delays or possible cancellation of your surgery.

 

General Information

• PASS appointments may be in-person or via telephone depending on the type of surgery.
• Our hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
• Our nurses will gather information regarding your health, answer your questions and address your concerns.
• By keeping your PASS appointment and following your physician’s orders, our team will give you the “PASSED” stamp of approval that you are prepared for surgery.
• If you have questions regarding your PASS appointment, please contact us at 479.463.5980.
• For map and directions, click here.
  

 

How Pass Works

• Your physician’s office will schedule your PASS appointment. They will let you know if it is in person or via telephone and the date and time of the appointment.
• If necessary, any tests such as lab work, EKG, or chest x-ray required prior to your surgery date will need to be ordered by your physician and completed at the location of their choice.
• If you have been scheduled for a telephone PASS appointment, a nurse will call you on the scheduled date and time. For in person appointments, please arrive on your scheduled date 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
• After your appointment, information is sent from your physician’s office. A chart is then prepared in anticipation of your arrival for surgery.

 

What to Bring

• A list of prescription and all over-the-counter medications
• A list of your allergies
• A list of medical conditions and previous procedures/surgeries
• Name and phone number for preferred pharmacy
• Insurance, Medicare or Medicaid cards. In the event no insurance is available, we will arrange for you to speak with our financial assistance office about payment assistance options.
• Living Will or Advance Directive

 

The Day Before Your Surgical Procedure

• Eat normally the day and evening before surgery; however, do not eat any food, drink any liquids (including water), chew gum, eat candy or mints after 12 midnight. Surgery may be cancelled if you do so. (Certain patients may be instructed to take some or all of their routine prescribed medications with a sip of water on the morning of surgery and/or a specific presurgical drink).
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages or consume marijuana products 24 hours before or after surgery. Smoking before surgery is discouraged. 
• Please bathe or shower the morning before surgery with antibacterial soap such as Dial.
• Please arrange in advance for someone to drive you home following surgery. For your protection, you will not be permitted to drive yourself home. No exceptions will be made. Surgical outpatients are required to have a responsible adult with them for 24 hours after discharge.
• If you should become ill prior to surgery, please call your doctor or the surgical services nurse at 479.463.2100 and other arrangements will be made.

 

The Day of Surgery

• Report to the surgery registration desk located on Level 2. You will need to arrive three hours before your scheduled surgery time. This will allow time for additional tests, anesthesia evaluation, etc.
• Do not wear heavy makeup, body lotion or nail polish, and remove all jewelry. Leave valuables at home. If you wear contact lenses, bring a container for them.
• Dress in comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Hospital gowns will be provided for you. Orthopedic patients having knee surgery should bring shorts, jogging pants or pajamas, as well as crutches and immobilizer if you have them.

 

Preparation for Your Surgical Procedure

• After registration you will be taken to periop where a nurse will complete the final health assessment and any diagnostic testing, start an IV and answer any questions you may have regarding your procedure. You will be in this area approximately one to two hours. 
• During this time, you will also meet your anesthesiologist and the team of nurses that will be caring for you during your surgery. You will be transported from periop to the operating room where your surgery will be performed.
• Once your surgery is completed, you will be transported to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU/Recovery). Here your vital signs, pain, breathing, etc. will be monitored. You will be in this area 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your needs.
• After recovery, you will be transported back to the surgical area or to a nursing unit, depending on your doctor’s order. If you return to the surgical area, you will be permitted to go home when you have met discharge criteria, i.e., pain controlled, minimal nausea and/or vomiting and vital signs stable.
• You will be discharged from the surgical area by wheelchair to the hospital entrance. Remember, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Please make arrangements in advance for someone to drive you home.

 

After Surgery

• You can expect to be able to speak with your surgeon.
• Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders regarding rest, medication and diet. Surgery and general anesthesia can leave you feeling tired and with a depressed appetite. Unless you are given directions, drink clear liquids for the first three to four hours after surgery. It is normal to feel light-headed and sleepy after surgery. Therefore, you should not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours.
• If you develop difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding, fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or any other post-operative problem after leaving the hospital, you should call your doctor immediately.
• Parents or guardians of children should observe their child continuously upon returning home and should call the doctor or the Washington Regional Emergency Department (479.463.1000) immediately if any problems develop.