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Preparing for Your Surgery

Overnight Accommodations
An overnight stay may be necessary for patients whose surgery is scheduled at or before 9 a.m. and those who live out of town. The following information will help you plan your accommodations.

  • Rooms at the Guest House Inn and Suites are available at the discounted medical rate of $79.95 per night. This rate applies for patients and their family members who may be accompanying them.
  • To reserve a room, call Guest House Inn and Suites at (615) 329-1000 or (800) 777-4904.
  • To receive the discounted medical rate of $79.95 per night, documentation that indicates the patient's hospitalization at Baptist Hospital will need to be presented upon check-in. A note from a physician, pre-admission paperwork or any other paperwork with a date indicating a hospitalization or scheduled surgery will be accepted.
  • Several other hotels are located near Baptist Hospital and provide you with additional options to choose from for overnight accommodations.
  • If you have questions about overnight accommodations, call Baptist Hospital Guest Services at (615) 284-3950.

Billing Procedures
Baptist Hospital accepts most major insurance plans. Where appropriate, the hospital will bill the insurance company as a courtesy to the patient. However, the patient is responsible for all charges incurred. If your insurance plan requires a co-pay or you have not met your deductible, an insurance verifier will contact you concerning your financial obligations.

Directions and Maps

Pre-Surgery Instructions
On the night before your surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes food, water, coffee, candy/breath mints, cigarettes, chewing or dipping tobacco, and chewing gum. You must also have a responsible person to drive you home upon discharge.

What To Bring
For your convenience, please bring a minimum of personal belongings and leave any items/luggage you do bring in the trunk of your car until a permanent room is assigned. This will relieve your family of caring for your belongings while you are in surgery. You should also bring:

  • All medications (including insulin) and a list of the medications and dosages you are currently taking.
  • Your contact lens case and solution and/or eyeglasses case.
  • A copy of your living will and/or durable power of attorney (if you’ve not already provided it).
  • Any paperwork or x-rays you've been asked to bring.
  • If your surgery requires crutches or braces that you currently have, please feel free to bring them.

What Not To Bring

  • Money, credit cards and checkbook.
  • Jewelry or other items of value.
  • Extra personal items like cell phones and beepers.
  • Makeup - Do not wear makeup or nail polish because it must be removed before surgery.

Care Mail
E-mail loved ones during their hospital stay with Care Mail. Access Care Mail online at BaptistHospital.com or send an e-mail to Guest.Relations@BaptistHospital.com. Include the patient's first and last name and "Care Mail" in the subject line. Messages are delivered Monday through Friday only and distributed within 24 hours. Please remember that message content is public and not secure. For questions, please call (615) 284-5043.

The Day of Your Surgery
You will be informed of what time to arrive at the hospital for your surgery. When you arrive, please register at the main admissions area on the First Floor of the hospital (20th Avenue entrance). Before your surgery, you will:

  • Be asked to sign a consent form and allowed to ask any questions.
  • Be given a hospital gown to wear. Underclothes, jewelry, hairpins, hairpieces, glasses, contact lenses and dentures must be removed before going to surgery.

Family Waiting Areas
During your surgery, your family and visitors stay in the appropriate waiting area. Your physician will meet with them here following your procedure. The designated waiting areas are:

  • Lithotripsy: 4th Floor of Mid-State Building
  • Fourth Floor Surgery: 4th Floor of Mid-State Building
  • Seventh Floor Surgery: 7th Floor of Central Building

Pre-Admission Screening
Pre-admission screening gives your physician important information about your current state of health before your surgery. Most insurers will no longer pay for an overnight stay before surgery, which makes this a convenient and efficient solution. During pre-admission screening:

  • Your admission information will be reviewed.
  • Several tests will be performed, including diagnostic blood tests, urinalysis and any others ordered by your physician.
  • You will receive information about your anesthesia.

If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the consent forms required for testing and surgery.

Directions to Pre-Admission Screening
Registration and pre-admission screening are located on the First Floor of the hospital (Kidd Building Lobby - 20th Avenue entrance). Designated parking is available in the 20th Avenue Garage (between State and Patterson Street).

What To Bring
When you come to pre-admission screening, please bring:

  • A medication list or all medications you are currently taking.
  • Your insurance card for completing your admission form.
  • Any physician orders or records you,ve received.
  • A copy of your living will and/or durable power of attorney for your medical record (optional).
  • Guardianship papers, if appropriate.

Pre-admission screening is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.