Making Your Patient Experience Comfortable
Your care is our concern. This important information will help you through your cardiovascular or thoracic surgery and answer many of your questions prior to and after surgery.
Making an Appointment With Your Surgeon
The first step to treating you is to work with the top San Francisco Bay area doctors and surgeons - found here, at CPMC. Most of our surgeons require a referral from your primary care physician or primary cardiologist.
To make an appointment with a surgeon please contact their office directly. You can choose one of the many experienced doctors on our Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Team or, for assistance in finding a physician, call our Physician Referral telephone line (888) 637-2762.
Prior to making your appointment you should contact your insurance company to confirm benefits and obtain prior authorization to ensure coverage. Depending on your insurance, you may need both a referral from your primary cardiologist and a prior authorization.
Please remember to arrive on time for your appointment, and bring a list of your medications and the dosage.
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Visiting California Pacific Medical Center
To help you navigate to the medical office buildings and hospitals on our four campuses, maps and driving/public transit directions can be found in the"Visiting Us" section of this website.
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What to Expect When Getting Admitted to CPMC
Hospital Pre-registration & Admission
Prior to a scheduled surgical admission patients will pre-register. A nurse will complete all laboratory and radiology tests required. They will provide you with complete pre-surgical preparation and, if you are having a same-day procedure, discharge instructions will be provided at that time, as well. View the procedure at our Patient Registration Center to help walk you through the pre-registration, admission and discharge processes.
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Preparing for Your Surgery
At your first appointment with the surgeon you will need to complete a:
- Medical Questionnaire/Health
- History
- Patient Information/Insurance Forms
If your primary cardiologist is not affiliated with California Pacific, a cardiologist will be assigned to you to oversee your care during your hospital stay here, reporting and working closely with your primary cardiologist in your community.
It is always helpful to become more knowledgeable about your procedure. Additional information and patient educational resources can be found on the "Learning About Your Health" section of our website, including information on "Preparing for Your Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery."
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On the Day of Your Surgery
Please arrive at the designated time for your surgery. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the pre-registration nurse. If the pre-operative instructions are not followed precisely, your surgery could be delayed.
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After Your Surgery, Prior to Discharge
While you are at CPMC, a staff of health care professionals are available 24-hours a day to assist with your needs. Understanding what to expect while in the hospital is helpful.
All patients will be given discharge instructions from their surgeon or cardiologist and the nursing staff. It is extremely important that you have a designated driver and escort home.
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After Your Surgery: At Home
Your physician, surgeon and the professional staff caring for you during your hospital stay will provide you with instructions for caring for yourself at home. Additionally, please read this helpful information, "Caring for yourself at Home" after coronary artery bypass surgery.
All patients experience different levels of pain and different rates of healing. Patients will be scheduled for an appointment with their surgeon and cardiologist within a few days or weeks following your surgery. However, do not hesitate to contact your cardiologist if you experience any unusual pain, bleeding or fever.
Our Pain Management Information Sheet may also be of help.
Additional information and patient educational resources can be found on the "Learning About Your Health" section of our website.
Additionally, we have developed a patient guide, "Living with Your New Heart Transplant," (PDF, 901KB) about hospitalization and caring for yourself at home, after discharge.
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