Pre-Procedure Education Sheet

COVID-19 Testing Policies for Patients

• 4 to 5 days before your scheduled surgery, a mandatory COVID-19 test must be completed
• The GBMC Health Partners Call Center will reach out to you to set up an appointment date/time to have this test completed.
• 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 Requirements

• 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, when around other people outside 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

• Due to Governor Hogan’s executive order which prohibits visitation in hospitals, outpatient surgery, patients may no longer have a visitor accompany them to the Procedural or Operating Room location. Visitors will wait in their car for the duration of the surgery. Please note: with your permission, your surgeon/provider will contact your family member after surgery to advise them on what was done and share any pertinent findings. When you are ready to be discharged, the recovery nurse will contact your primary support person to review discharge instructions and will direct them where to move the vehicle to meet you and your nurse for pick-up.
• The same restrictions are in place for patients who will be admitted to the hospital after their surgery. Your surgeon will still call your primary support person (with your permission) to review how the procedure/surgery went and share any pertinent findings. Visitors may not accompany or visit the patient at the inpatient areas.
• For pediatric and disabled patients, one family member or necessary support person may accompany the patient in Pre-op, PACU, and Phase 2 area.
• Patients who require a Power of Attorney will have that individual as their one family member. This family member will be brought to the Pre-op bay for consent of procedure, and will then return to their vehicle.
• Special consideration will be granted on a case-by-case basis for life-threatening or comfort care cases.