Health Information

• Pre-Register at least 72 hours prior to your procedure.  A nurse from Mercy may call you to verify your medical information before the day of your procedure.
• Your physician may want labs, EKG, or radiology exams done in advance.  He/she will tell you if any exams are needed.

Special Health Care Considerations

• If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about what insulin and diabetes medication to take the day before and day of your procedure.
• If you are on blood thinning medications, notify your Cardiologist and they will provide further instructions regarding these medications.
• If you have not been given instructions on when to stop eating and drinking, and what medications you should or shouldn't take, contact your doctor.

Additional Arrangements

• Make child care arrangements, as children are not allowed in the Ambulatory Unit.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the hospital.  Failure to have a driver will result in rescheduling your procedure.
• We recommend that you have someone stay with you overnight when you return home.

The Day Before Your Procedure/Surgery

Plan Your Diet as Follows:

• Your doctor will instruct you on what you can eat or drink in the hours prior to your procedure.

Personal Hygiene:

• The night before or morning of your procedure, shower with an antibacterial soap, such as Dial, and wash your hair.
• If you have been given a specific skin cleanser, for example a sage prep kit, follow the instructions given to you by your doctor's office.

What to Bring to the Hospital

• Driver's license
• Insurance card
• Medicare card
• Medication insurance card (if you have one) in case you need to pick up a prescription before leaving the hospital.
• List of allergies and current medications (prescriptions, vitamins, supplements and herbals, if not already mailed to the Mercy Ambulatory Unit).
• A copy of your Living Will and Advance Directives
• A case for contact lenses, eyeglasses, or dentures
• Toiletries and other personal items if you will be staying overnight.

If you have any questions before the day of your procedure, contact Mercy's Ambulatory Unit at 563-589-8399.