Long story, but the shorten version is my hospital only has preop testing once a week, and I wanted an earlier schedule so I could give my information to the doctor in sooner (keep in mind I was trying to schedule this for over two months.) So just imagine how I felt when I got a date later than what I was planning on. They had a new policy of giving patients the date instead of what was on the instructional letter, which was call and get your own date. Btw, the only way I found out about my preop date was because I called to make an appointment. I am still trying to figure out when they were going to call me and tell me, maybe a week before, but who knows. Anyway, what I want to know is, did any of you go somewhere else to get your preop testing done. I figure if I did that elsewhere it would be problematic, and the wait would probably be longer.

Most all of my pre-op testing was done at the hospital close to my work while my surgery was done at the hospital closer to my home.

Was it an issue? Did you have to answer to why you were doing it there? Are all preoperative testing the same or do you need to tell them what specifically to test for?

I did my preop testing at a different hospital because preop was covered by insurance but the surgery itself wasn't. The doctor gave me an order for specific testing to take to wherever I wanted to get the testing done. I don't think the hospital would care why you were doing it there, as long as they got paid

Yes - with the exception of the tests that were ran a couple of days ahead of the surgery - they did my pre-admission orientation at the same time. My was hectic - they had to reschedule do to not seeing anyone because the flu was going around in the staff - so most of my tests were on the 30th of December...if I recall correctly.

I have Kaiser Permanente; they require testing at their facility or one under contract at least. What about your doc, does he/she have a preference for the testing facility? Good luck.

Robbie

Did my pre-op testing in Portland, but the surgery was in Las Vegas (Baby!) ... no problems or delays.

Called a few, and they are acting like Im speaking another language. One told muc me no, one boounced me around soh on the phone but told me yes. One told me my doctor had to do it. Problems...

What did your pre op testing consist of?

Bloodwork, EKG, psych exam.

My surgeon sent my PCP all the required stuff and my PCP ordered everything and then sent my surgeon the results. It was really a no-brainer for me. I just showed up when they told me to ... bled when poked, beat my heart when monitored and acted sane when questioned ...

Just found out that even if I went elsewhere I still would have to go to there testing on the 12th?! The whole point of doing this was so I could have gotten my clearance letter and notes by the 5th. So now I have to wait for a call. If I still need to get pricked again, I might as well just wait.. Grrr...

All my testing was done at another facility , but they are affiliated with my hospital so I just walked in and got it done, no explaining what I was there for. I had a real smooth pre-op experience.

Kiki, now that you mention it, I did end up having to get more blood drawn by the hospital where I had the surgery--I think it was 1-2 days before the surgery--but it was pretty simple: they took the sample, gave me these wipes to wash with after a shower the night before and morning of, asked a bunch of questions, and sent me on my way. That must have been included in my self-pay amount, because I don't remember getting a bill for it.