The McLeod admission planning departments are ready to coach you so that you will be ready on the day of surgery.

"The fear of the unknown is the worst part of surgery," says Assistant Director of Pre-Admission Testing, Linda Jeffords, RN. For Tips on How To prepare for a successful surgery, click here.

"Typically, the doctor's office will call McLeod Reservation and Scheduling the patient information and appointments are entered into McLeod's state-of-the-art computer scheduling system, Scheduling.com." Using the scheduling system, Kennedy and members of her department are able to view all of the patient's appointments. This allows patient care to be coordinated by arranging all appointments on the same day with appropriate time for the patient to get from one location to the next.

On the day of the scheduled Pre-Admission Testing, the surgery patient is able to drive up to the back door of the McLeod Pavilion where free courtesy parking is available after 6:30 a.m. and can always be used by all McLeod Health guests.

A registration booth is located immediately inside the back door where the patient presents the doctor's orders. Attention to patient's needs is the driving force to Pre-Admission Testing. The staff members take the time to escort patients to different areas, if needed. While in the waiting area, drinks and a television are available to patients. Much to patient's surprise, the total process usually takes no more than one to one-and-a-half hours to complete.

The average testing includes blood and urine samples, chest X-Rays and Electrocardiograms (EKG). Because financial arrangements can add stress on the day of surgery, a time for the patient to meet with a financial counselor on the day they complete their Pre-Admission Testing can be arranged.

A unique service is offered to patients whose surgeries do not require testing. "A telephone interview is scheduled and conducted with these patients so that they too receive the educational information prior to their surgery," says Jeffords.

The day of the surgery, the patient is only asked a few health questions and has little paperwork to complete. With the admission process more than a week behind them, there is no rushing to complete forms or waiting on clearance for surgery.