All surgical procedures at CPMC (except emergency surgery) require pre-admission, registration and a nurse screening. Download the preregistration brochure (PDF).

Preregistration is a two-step process that you must complete before your surgery, test or procedure at CPMC.

Step 1: Health History. 
One to two weeks before your procedure, please call (415) 600-2500, option 1, to schedule your mandatory nursing interview to review your health history and any necessary tests. If you don't complete this step, your surgery or procedure may be cancelled. Call Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to schedule.

Step 2: Preregistration.
The nurse will transfer your call to the Patient Access Center to complete the preregistration process. Please be have your insurance card information ready when you begin.

Preparing for Surgery

Every surgery requires both psychological and physical preparation. Depending on your type of surgery, you may need to prepare in different ways, but the basic standards for physical preparation include:

• No eating or drinking anything within six hours of your surgery, test or procedure. This includes coffee, water, hard candy and chewing gum, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You need to have an empty stomach in order to be sedated safely.
• No alcohol or smoking for 24 hours before surgery.
• No medication of any kind unless approved by your surgeon.
• No medication of any kind unless approved by your surgeon. Check with your primary doctor about when you should stop taking heart, blood pressure, diabetes and blood-thinning medications.
• Call your surgeon immediately if you come down with a cold, flu or fever.

Admission to the Hospital

Please arrive one to two hours prior to your scheduled surgery time and check in with the admitting office or the surgery desk. The nursing staff will assign each patient a pre-surgery preparation room and the following will take place:

• You will receive a surgical gown to wear.
• Your personal belongings will be tagged and bagged.
• Your valuables will be placed in safekeeping.
• You will receive an arm-band with your name and medical record number.

Your Discharge Home

When it is time to leave the hospital, your attending physician will write a discharge order. Standard discharge time is 11 am.

The attending physician and discharge nurse will provide you with instructions regarding your post-hospital care, diet and activities. A friend, family member or private transportation service is required to take all patients home after a surgical procedure. 

Hospital staff will escort you and help you into the transportation vehicle. Discharge medication can be purchased at the outpatient pharmacy of the patient’s your choice.

Helpful Resources

• Preregistration Brochure (PDF)
• Short Stay Unit (PDF) English | Chinese | Spanish | Russian | Tagalog
• Location for Your Surgery, Test or Procedure (PDF)