Countdown to Surgery: Checklists for Parents

• The reason for the surgery
• Medications my child is taking
• Allergies to medicine, food or latex
• Reactions to anesthesia or to a blood transfusion
• History of nausea after anesthesia or medication
• Immunization record
• Previous illnesses or operations
• Previous hospital stays (admissions), tests or treatments
• Anything that might put my child at risk during the hospital visit
• Have I asked my surgeon about any special equipment I may need at home after surgery?
• Have I arranged for someone to care for my other children while I am at the hospital?
• Have I considered contacting the surgical Child Life Specialist at 202-476-5665? 

• Scheduled a physical exam with my child’s primary care physician within 30 days before the operation
• Made sure my child's primary care physician completed and signed the medical history and physical examination form
• Notified Language Services if my child, family or I have special communication needs, such as hearing impairment, visual difficulties, foreign language translation, etc?     
  Language Services: 202-476-5444
• Received authorization from my insurance company for the operation, if required by my insurance contract
• Considered bringing my child to the hospital on a Sunday afternoon for the pre-surgical tour?

For more information, call 202-476-3812

• Does my child have a cold, a fever, a rash or fever blister? If so, please call the surgeon immediately. The operation may be postponed.
• Have I talked with my child about the operation?
• Have I reviewed the information about the surgery, anesthesia and “Tips for Preparing Your Child” online? 
• ]Has my child taken a thorough bath or shower and removed all make-up, nail polish, piercings, other jewelry and contact lenses? 
• For post-surgical care at home: do I have plenty of clear drinks, such as water, sugar water, Gatorade, Jell-O, apple juice, pulp-free juices, breast milk, Pedialyte, popsicles? 
• Do I have a supply of acetaminophen at home? 
• Have I planned quiet games and activities for my child for after the surgery? 
• Have I made arrangements for transportation to and from Children’s National? Do I have directions?
• Have I made arrangements to be with my child or have another adult present while my child recovers at home? 
• Have I arranged for someone to care for my other children while I am at the hospital? 
• If I need to cancel my child’s surgery, have I contacted the surgical coordinator at 202-476-3370? 
• Do I have all of our insurance information ready to bring with me to the hospital? 
• I was called by Children’s National and was unavailable; did I check my voicemail and return the call to 202-476-3370? 
• Have I reviewed the eating and drinking guidelines?

Please make sure you bring the following information when you check in and register:

• Picture identification card (for parents and patients over 18)
• Insurance card for the patient
• Statement of non-availability, if covered by TriCare
• Referral/authorization, if covered by an HMO
• Proof of guardianship (foster parent papers, court orders) if you are not the parents of the patient
• The “Consent to Surgery” form that your child’s surgeon gave you
• The original medical history and physical (H&P) exam form completed by your primary care physician
• Any outside X-ray or other imaging films and/or lab results

• Comfortable clothing and a change of clothes
• Your child’s medications; parent/caregiver medications
• Containers for glasses, contact lenses or any assistive devices such as hearing aids
• Your child’s favorite toy, blanket or comfort item
• Special bottle, nipple, pacifier or sipper cup
• Something to occupy your time while you’re waiting, such as a cell phone and charger, magazines, knitting or your laptop computer. A free wireless network called “Bear Air” is available to our guests