Also part of the UPMC family:
Read the following tips to help you prepare for your hospital stay or same-day surgery at UPMC Altoona.
You may need to have lab work or other tests done before your surgery or treatment at UPMC Altoona. Your doctor will let you know when you should get any tests done and give you any other special instructions that you will need to follow.
Patients may be referred for pre-surgery bloodwork, which you may have done at any of our UPMC Altoona laboratory locations, or you may be referred to the surgical pre-testing department for an anesthesia consult. Patients who require an anesthesia consult can have any other pre-surgical bloodwork and testing completed at the hospital at the same time as their anesthesia appointment.
If your health history indicates the need for a pre-surgical anesthesia consult, your doctor will set one up for you or will provide instructions on how to schedule one.
The surgical pre-testing department is located on the 4th floor of the hospital and can be reached at 814-889-7603.
During your visit, an anesthesia provider will:
Tests will vary, based on your health and type of surgery, but may include:
A nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or an anesthesiologist will review your medical records and discuss any recommendations for further testing, if needed. This appointment may take about an hour.
A nurse will call you at least one day before surgery. Please have your list of medicines and medical history ready to discuss with the nurse.
Allow 20 minutes for the phone assessment.
The nurse will provide:
Do not drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to surgery.
If you have not already done so, you may want to consider drafting an advance directive before your surgery or admission to the hospital.
An advance directive is a written document that expresses your wishes for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. These include:
Please review the following guidelines for your day of surgery at UPMC Altoona:
Please arrange for a responsible adult, over the age of 18, to:
Please bring only a few personal items for your stay: toiletries (such as toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant), nightclothes, sweater, robe, and non-skid footwear. If you wear eyeglasses, please bring a protective case.
Your doctor will prescribe the medications you will need during your hospital stay. If you are already taking medicine, please bring it with you to the hospital. If you use an inhaler, please bring it as well.
UPMC Altoona cannot be responsible for money or other valuables kept in the room. Please leave them at home — or send them home with family members.
Learn more about what to expect during your stay and after your stay at UPMC Altoona.
What to expect before your appointment, surgery, or procedure at UPMC.
Let your loved one know you're thinking about them. Browse our gift shop's selection of collectibles, floral arrangements, keepsakes, stuffed animals, and more.
Shop NowBring cheer to someone’s stay. Send a free, personalized, hand-delivered card to your loved one.
Send NowYour health information, right at your fingertips. Select MyUPMC to access your UPMC health information. For patients of UPMC Pinnacle-affiliated doctors, select MyPinnacleHealth.
The portal for all UPMC patients EXCEPT those of UPMC Pinnacle.
The portal for UPMC Pinnacle patients in South Central Pa.
