Pre-Procedure Education Sheet

COVID-19 Testing Policies for Patients

• Within 7 days of your scheduled surgery, a mandatory COVID-19 test must be completed. We strongly recommend your test be performed at GBMC. The GBMC Health Partners Ambulatory Testing Center will reach out to you to set up an appointment date/time to have this test completed. If you do not hear from the ATC, please call 443-559-5500.
• If you choose to have your testing done elsewhere, it must be a PCR test and it must be completed within 7 days prior to your procedure and faxed to 443-589-5502 no later than 12pm noon, 1 business day prior to your procedure. If we do not receive your results in time, your procedure will be rescheduled.
• After the test is complete, wear a mask, make necessary trips only (medical care and work), maintain appropriate physical distance from others, avoid gatherings of 10 people or more, and continue proper handwashing.
• Check for symptoms daily prior to your surgery and notify your surgeon if you have any of the following: Fever = 38.0 C (100 F) in the last 24 hours; New respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat); Chills; Muscle pain; New loss of taste or smell
• A positive test result will cause a cancellation of your surgery. It is important that, if you receive a call from GBMC in the days prior to your surgery, you answer our call.

COVID-19 Pre-Procedure Requirement

• Between the time of your test and the time of arrival to the hospital for your procedure/ surgery, make necessary trips only, such as to get medical care or go to work
• Separate yourself from other people living in your home and avoid gatherings of 10 people or more
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• Wear a face mask when around others in your home or if you feel sick
• Cover your coughs and sneeze and clean your hands often
• Avoid sharing personal household items and use a separate bathroom in your home if feasible
• Clean all "high-touch" surfaces every day
• Monitor your symptoms and notify your provider if you exhibit any of the above noted symptoms
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency

Safety

• Your safety is our highest priority. As a result, when you arrive at GBMC on your day of surgery, you will be asked to stop at our temperature screening desk prior to arriving at the Procedural or Operating Room location. You will be given a mask and we request that you wear the mask during your stay at GBMC.
• Your surgical team is committed to your health and will use personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout your care at GBMC.

GBMC Visiting Policy in Procedural Areas

• One designated visitor may accompany the patient to the registration area regardless of visiting hours.
• The visitor can wait in the designated waiting area until they receive a call from us with updates or patient pick up time. Seating may be limited in the designated waiting area, so we offer the following alternatives for your comfort:
  • Return home or wait at an off-site location (restaurant, mall, store, etc.)
  • Park and wait on GBMC’s Farmhouse Hill surface lot. No fees will be charged for this location.
  • Park and wait in any GBMC garage to be under cover from the weather. Please note, parking fees do apply.
  • Park in either the Lily or Tulip garage and wait in the climate controlled hallway family waiting area between Lily Park and Physicians Pavilion North (PPN). Parking fees may apply.
• Visitors shall agree to abide by all hospital and infection control regulations
• Visitation is not permitted in pre-op or PACU, unless the patient is a minor, or the patient requires a legal guardian/surrogate for consent purposes or the patient has a disability as defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
• The visitor will be permitted in Phase II PACU for the purpose of reviewing discharge instructions and assisting the patient with dressing, etc.
• Exceptions to the visitor policy will be at the department level and a communication will be sent to visitor stations via secure chat.
• For patients who are admitted post-surgery outside of the approved hospital visitation hours, the primary visitor will be permitted to visit the patient on the inpatient unit for a period of no more than 1 hour.

Special Considerations:

• For pediatric patients, refer to the COVID-19 Interim Mitigation Policy: Care of the Pediatric and Special Needs Patients Through Perioperative and Procedural Services
• Masks must be worn at all times when inside any GBMC HealthCare facility, and physical distancing of at least 6 ft. must be observed.
• All family members must use the hand sanitizer at the desk prior to visiting patients and the hand sanitizer at the bedside prior to returning to the waiting room. This is in accordance with the hospital’s infection control policy.
• Refrain from handshakes and hugs.
• Family, friends, and loved ones should use electronic devices and apps to keep in contact with patients whenever possible instead of visiting in person (i.e. phone, FaceTime, Skype, etc.).