Cancelling Your Surgery at UPMC in Central Pa.

We understand and appreciate the preparations you have made for your surgical procedure. However, please be aware that occasionally surgeries do not take place on the day or time they are scheduled.

Reasons Your Surgery May Be Cancelled or Postponed

Some of the reasons your surgery may be cancelled or postponed include:

• Incomplete or abnormal lab results. Any abnormality or incomplete results from your preadmission testing will need to be further investigated before surgery can begin. Lab work completed the day of surgery that is abnormal may result in your surgery/procedure being cancelled. It is important that you have your Preadmission Testing completed 2 weeks prior to your surgery date, unless directed differently by your surgeon. 
• Failure to comply with pre-operative instructions. For example, not stopping certain medications in the recommended time frame.
• Availability of operating rooms and hospital beds. At UPMC in central Pa. we perform more than 35,000 surgeries annually. Additionally, we have more than 119,000 emergency department visits each year. Some of these patients require immediate surgery for serious, life-threatening conditions. When these unforeseen circumstances arise, an elective surgery may have to be rescheduled.
• Physician, patient or family request.
• Patient illness. Your surgery may be cancelled if you have cold or flu symptoms. If you are feeling sick the week prior to your surgery/procedure, please contact your surgeon’s office.

In the event that your surgery is canceled, we will make every attempt to notify you before you arrive at the hospital. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Contact Us

For more information about surgical services at UPMC in central Pa. call the UPMC PhoneLine at 717-231-8900.