The Pre-Admission Clinic prepares patients for surgery in several ways including providing information about the surgery, allowing the patient and family members to ask questions, and ensuring the patient is medically fit for surgery. This is booked just like any other appointment, usually through your surgeon’s office. The appointment can be the day before or several days before your scheduled surgery.
You should also have your pre-surgery medical exam completed by your primary care provider (for example, your family doctor or nurse practitioner) before you come to the Pre-Admission Clinic. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can get your exam completed at a walk-in clinic.
Going for surgery can be a stressful time. We do our best to make your stay at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as safe and comfortable as possible. We encourage you to take an active role in your health as well. In addition to what you learn from your health care team, we have videos available for you to watch to prepare you for your upcoming surgery. You’ll find them at the bottom of this page, under “Resources”. These videos are available for all surgery patients and their families to watch from any internet-connected device.
What to Bring
Please bring the following to your Pre-Admission Clinic appointment:
- All information given to you by your surgeon and your primary care provider (family doctor, etc.) including results of your pre-surgery physical exam
- All consent forms from your surgeon and/or primary care provider, filled out and completed (note: your surgeon or doctor may have submitted these for you already)
- All of your current medications including prescriptions, herbal medicines, and over-the-counter medications (headache medicine, cough syrup, etc.)
- Your health card – please register at Admitting when you arrive for your appointment (see Wayfinding on this page)
We strongly encourage that you also bring a family member or other loved one with you to the appointment. Surgery can be overwhelming, making it difficult to take in all the information. Having someone with you who can help you process the information and provide you with support can make it easier for you.
What You Can Expect
At the appointment, a nurse will review your medical history and ask you questions about your health. The nurse will also discuss the surgery with you and in most cases provide you with booklets and other written materials. At this appointment, you can also ask any questions you have about the procedure. Many patients find it helpful to write down a list of their questions as they occur to them in the days and weeks before this appointment so they don’t forget.
There may be blood work and other tests during your appointment, depending on your surgery. This will be explained to you by your surgeon’s office and/or the staff of the Pre-Admission Clinic.
If you cannot make your Pre-Admission Clinic appointment, please contact your surgeon’s office.
For More Information
If you have any other questions about the Pre-Admissions Clinic or your surgery, you can ask your surgeon or your surgeon’s office staff.
Find out more about planning for surgery at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Resources
Educational Videos for Your Upcoming Surgery
In addition to what you learn from your doctors and nurses, the videos below are available for you to watch at home. These videos will prepare you for your upcoming surgery. You can share the videos to your family or care partner to watch as well. You can hit the “cc” button on the video to see subtitles in other languages. Please note, there is a survey to complete at the end of each video. If you need help watching the videos please contact your health care team.
Scheduling Your Surgery
Consenting for Your Surgery
Getting Cleared for Your Surgery
General Instructions for Your Upcoming Procedure
What to Expect After Your Surgery
Preparing for Going Home After Surgery
Common Misconceptions About Surgery
Download the SeamlessMD App for Your Surgery
What to Expect on the Day of Your OP Procedure
What to Expect on the Day of Your IP Procedure
