Your Passport To Surgery

What is PASS?
PASS is pre-admission screening that helps you get prepared for surgery. By coming to this program, you will save time on the day of your surgery since you will already be admitted to the hospital and your pre-op testing will be completed. 

During your visit you may have tests, such as blood work, electrocardiograms (EKGs) and x-rays.  You will also receive helpful information about what to do before and after surgery. These tests give important information about your medical condition.

Your appointment will be approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour, but could be longer if other tests are needed.

Your surgeons’ office may ask you to have a pre-op clearance.  This can be done by your primary physician or by a hospitalist in the PASS department.  A clearance means you will be seen by a physician who looks over your tests, takes a medical history and determines if you are “clear” for surgery. 

How do I make an appointment for PASS?
Your physicians’ office will schedule your surgery at Mother Frances Hospital, and will then call PASS directly to make your appointment.  If you would like to schedule a specific time, please call 903-531-5777 or toll-free 1-800-269-6807.

Where is PASS located?
PASS is located at 630 South Fleishel.  Please see map for directions. Please sign in at the registration desk when you enter the building.

What do I bring with me to PASS?
Please bring current medications with you in the original bottles. Or, bring a medication list that provides the name of your medication, dosage and how often the medication is taken. Also bring a list of any past surgeries you have had. Please provide this information on the Preoperative Screening Questionnaire.

You medical history is valuable during pre-admission screening.  If you are unable to provide your medical history, bring an adult with you who can provide that information on your behalf.

If you have an Advanced Directive or Living Will, please bring a copy with you so that it may be included in your chart.  A parent or legal guardian must accompany children to PASS to register and sign consent forms.

Please bring your insurance cards, driver’s license and co-payment with you to your appointment.

Recent testing information.
If you have had testing within 20 days, such as blood work, an EKG or a chest X-ray, please bring the reports with you or be prepared to provide the name of the physician or facility performing the test. We will attempt to retrieve this information for you.

Day of Surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Do Not Smoke.
• If you wear contact lenses, please take them out or bring your lens holder.
• Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
• Dentures may be worn until we ask that you take them out.
• If you are going to stay in the hospital overnight or in the ICU, please leave all your belongings with your family until you have a room on the surgical unit.
• Please shower with the soap given to you before you go to bed and again the morning on the day of your surgery, if ordered.  Do not get this soap in your eyes or ears.
• Your family should wait in the surgery waiting area during your surgery.  Two visitors are allowed in the pre-operative area while you are waiting on surgery.

Important Reminders:

• You must bring your driver's license or state issued ID card. Your name will be listed on your medical record exactly as it appears on this card.
• Please have a responsible adult with you to drive you home after surgery
• If you do not follow instructions about NOT eating or drinking and having an adult to drive you home, your surgery may be canceled.
• Wear loose fitting clothes the day of surgery
• A parent or legal guardian must be with any unmarried patient under the age of 18 years old.
• Your anesthesia practitioner may attempt to phone you the night before your surgery.
• Please bring a list of your current medications
• Please bring a list of prior surgeries and the dates the surgeries were performed.

Going Home after Day Surgery:

• When you are discharged, you MUST be accompanied by someone who can drive you home
• It is important to have someone stay with you the first 24 hours after your surgery
• The average length of stay is five to six hours from admission to discharge.
• If needed, you doctor may decide to admit you to the hospital, we will contact your family to make plans for your stay.