Shrnwhldr -
The packet contains alot of stuff to read and consider beforehand...not necessarily fill out before hand... (standard handouts on patient rights, standard of care, what to expect). Theres some pamphlets from the House Clinic on the type of surgery (e.g. middle fossal), a sheet of possible side effects or risks, and also an ANA Article about the expected outcomes from the surgery.
1. It included a medical history form that I need to fill out for the consultation with the internist. It was a detailed questionaire on personal and family medical history (I'm trying to remember when I had different shots, the measles, chickenpox, my tonsils removal, how many wisdom teeth I had removed and when, who in my family had what disease, stuff like that...).
2. There was the California Durable Power of Attorney.
3. There were several prescriptions that you need to fill and take three days before surgery. Also one or two pages of things not to do... stop taking asprin containing meds, etc.
4. Another thing to decide on is if you want to provide your own blood in case you need a transfusion. Since I'm from out-of-state, I would need to go to my local blood bank or hospital and have it stored, processed and sent to St. Vincent. There's a couple for forms for that...
5. There was a sheet with a fee quote from House Clinic, so you can make inquiries to your health insurance company.
6. For me since I'm flying in from Hawaii. On monday, they've scheduled a bunch of tests (audiology, ABR, etc.) plus consultations with the neoursurgeon and internist at the House Clinic. Then I have to go to St. Vincent for blood work-up, and chest x-ray and something else. It's a full day. Then I check into the hospital at 5 a.m. on tuesday and the operation is that day. I think one of the things which is driving the schedule is the neurosurgeon has something else later that week, so it will be a busy monday...
OTO
