Patient Information and Education

Your care is our concern. This important information and patient education documents will help you through your cardiovascular or thoracic surgery and answer many of your questions prior to and after surgery.

Patient Education

California Pacific Health Education Initiative (CPHEI) is an on-going program to expand and improve education for patients and their families receiving care at California Pacific Medical Center. More than 280 physicians, staff and volunteer advisors at the Medical Center have collaborated with CPHEI staff to produce a searchable web library that allows anyone to access, view and print hundreds of patient education resources. Just click on Learning Resources to view these patient educational resources.


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The Patient Experience

Visiting California Pacific Medical Center

Finding your way in an unfamiliar city or medical facility can be stressful. With our campus maps and driving directions, our guide to your hospital stay, and our guide to some of San Francisco's local attractions, we hope we can help make your visit with us more relaxing. Just click on Visiting California Pacific Medical Center where you should find many answers to your questions.


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Making an Appointment

with your cardiovascular or throacic surgeon

  • Our surgeons require a referral from your primary care physician or primary cardiologist.
  • For assistance in finding a physician, we can help. Please call our toll-free Physician Referral telephone line (888) 637-2762 for referral to a cardiologist or primary care physician.
  • 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.

    To make an appointment with an individual surgeons please contact their office directly. Review our team of surgical experts.

    Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Team

    Peter Anastassiou, M.D.
    G. James Avery, M.D.
    Michael Black, M.D.
    Luis Castro, M.D.
    Robert Ellis, M.D.
    Vincent A. Gaudiani, M.D.
    Anne-Marie Regal, M.D.
    Eddie Tang, M.D.
    Conrad M. Vial, M.D.
    Edward Yee, M.D.

    Please arrive on time for your appointment, and bring a list of your medications and the dosage.


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    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 a same-day procedure, discharge instructions. Click on the hospital Patient Registration Center to help walk you through the pre-registration, admission and discharge process.


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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

    After your surgeon has reviewed your health history they will then discuss with you appropriate surgical interventions for your condition including the risks, benefits, and outcome expectations, followed by a brief clinical exam.

    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 at California Pacific, reporting and working closely with your primary cardiologist in your community.

    Additionally, you may find our Learning Resources helpful. Please read this sample document reviewing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery: Preparing for Your 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

    While you are in the hospital and going home

    While in the hospital a staff of health care professionals will be available 24-hours a day to assist with your needs. Understanding what to expect while in the hospital is helpful. Read our Learning Resource Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery:
    What To Expect While You Are In the Hospital    . This is a sample of one of our many learning documents.

    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.

    Caring for yourself at home after your surgery – Your physician, surgeon and the professional staff caring for you during your hospital stay will provide you with instuctions for caring for yourself at home. Please read this sample of our Learning Resource reviewing "Caring for yourself at Home" after coronary artery bypass surgery.

    All patient’s 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 they experience any unusual pain, bleeding, or fever.

    Our Pain Management Information Sheet may help you.

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