Pre-Anesthesia Evaluation Services
Pre-Anesthesia Evaluation Services at Sharp HealthCare
Helping you prepare for surgery.
When you first learn that you need surgery, you likely will have many questions and concerns. At Sharp, we want to ease your concerns, ensure your confidence and be at your side every step of the way.
Our Pre-Anesthesia Evaluation Services (PAES) department works with your surgeon, anesthesiologist and operating room staff to give you seamless care right from the start. We work as a team with a collaborative focus on you.
Preparing for surgery: frequently asked questions
We know that preparing for your surgery can be overwhelming. We're here to help.
Before your surgery
Prior for your procedure, one of our skilled pre-anesthesia registered nurses will call you with instructions and answer any questions you may have.
To prepare for this call, please have the following items available:
- A list of your current medications and doses
- Pen and paper to take notes
- Your health history, including allergies and known medical conditions
Your doctor may request lab work or other pre-operative testing prior to your procedure. Please arrange to complete these tests within 14 to 30 days ahead of your scheduled surgery.
Preparing for your surgery or procedure
Prepare for your surgery by following our tips.
- Provide your surgeon and PAES team a contact number where you can be reached the day of surgery as arrival times may change
- Take only the medicine you have been told to take on the morning of your procedure
- Do not shave the surgical area for one week before surgery
- Bathe and brush your teeth before you come in
- Call your surgeon if you become sick or have cuts or rashes near the surgical site
- Wear loose-fitting clothes and flat shoes
- Be on time
- If you are age 17 or younger, a parent or guardian must come with you to the hospital and stay throughout the procedure
- If you are scheduled for an outpatient procedure, arrange for someone to take you home afterward
- Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours when you return home
- If you will be staying overnight, select one adult loved one to stay the night as your care partner
Download our printable pre-op checklist.
Most importantly, do not eat or smoke after 11 pm the night before your procedure (unless otherwise instructed by your surgical team). This includes gum, breath mints, chewing tobacco and smoking. You may have noncarbonated clear liquids until 2 hours before your scheduled check-in time. Acceptable liquids include sports drinks (such as Gatorade), water (plain or flavored, but must be non-carbonated).
Download our eating and drinking instructions.
If you have diabetes, you may only drink noncarbonated (plain or flavored) water. Please test your blood sugar as directed by your doctor and treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with regular (not diet) clear juice or glucose tablets. If your blood sugar has been low (less than 70mg/dl) or high (greater than 180mg/dl) during the 24 hours before surgery, please tell the nurse when you check in for surgery.
Download our special instructions for patients with diabetes.
We recommend you consider taking the following steps to improve your recovery.
- Exercise: Your current condition may limit this but any exercise is good.
- Stop smoking: Any type of inhalation (cigarettes, vaping and recreational drugs) can increase mucus, which is linked to risk of breathing problems after surgery.
- Plan for your discharge before your surgery. Schedule someone to be with you after surgery to help around the house. Prepare easy meals for after surgery.
- Stop medications or supplements not prescribed by a doctor. Medications like Tylenol PM or Advil PM can cause confused thinking and reduced awareness after surgery.
- Notify your primary care doctor and/or cardiologist about your upcoming surgery.
How to prepare for colorectal surgery
How to prepare for obstetric and gynecologic surgery
How to prepare for orthopedic surgery
What you should bring to the hospital
Please bring the following with you to the hospital:
- Copy of your Advance Health Care Directive Form
- List of medications and allergies (include vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as dosages), if not already given to the PAES nurse
- Copy of ID card for your pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, if applicable
- Your glasses or contact lens case and solution (contact lenses may be removed before
After your surgery
If possible, pick up any prescriptions before your surgery. If you will be taking prescription pain pills, you may want to consider purchasing an over-the-counter stool softener, such as Colace.
If you are currently breastfeeding, you should refrain from breastfeeding for 24 hours after anesthesia. Some medications are safe to resume breastfeeding within 24 hours. Please review your medications with your nurse before you are discharged to determine if you are safe to resume breastfeeding.
Caring for you safely
Infection prevention
We know that preparing for your surgery can be overwhelming. We're here to help.
Before your surgery
Prior for your procedure, one of our skilled pre-anesthesia registered nurses will call you with instructions and answer any questions you may have.
To prepare for this call, please have the following items available:
- A list of your current medications and doses
- Pen and paper to take notes
- Your health history, including allergies and known medical conditions
Your doctor may request lab work or other pre-operative testing prior to your procedure. Please arrange to complete these tests within 14 to 30 days ahead of your scheduled surgery.
Preparing for your surgery or procedure
Prepare for your surgery by following our tips.
- Provide your surgeon and PAES team a contact number where you can be reached the day of surgery as arrival times may change
- Take only the medicine you have been told to take on the morning of your procedure
- Do not shave the surgical area for one week before surgery
- Bathe and brush your teeth before you come in
- Call your surgeon if you become sick or have cuts or rashes near the surgical site
- Wear loose-fitting clothes and flat shoes
- Be on time
- If you are age 17 or younger, a parent or guardian must come with you to the hospital and stay throughout the procedure
- If you are scheduled for an outpatient procedure, arrange for someone to take you home afterward
- Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours when you return home
- If you will be staying overnight, select one adult loved one to stay the night as your care partner
Download our printable pre-op checklist.
Most importantly, do not eat or smoke after 11 pm the night before your procedure (unless otherwise instructed by your surgical team). This includes gum, breath mints, chewing tobacco and smoking. You may have noncarbonated clear liquids until 2 hours before your scheduled check-in time. Acceptable liquids include sports drinks (such as Gatorade), water (plain or flavored, but must be non-carbonated).
Download our eating and drinking instructions.
If you have diabetes, you may only drink noncarbonated (plain or flavored) water. Please test your blood sugar as directed by your doctor and treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with regular (not diet) clear juice or glucose tablets. If your blood sugar has been low (less than 70mg/dl) or high (greater than 180mg/dl) during the 24 hours before surgery, please tell the nurse when you check in for surgery.
Download our special instructions for patients with diabetes.
We recommend you consider taking the following steps to improve your recovery.
- Exercise: Your current condition may limit this but any exercise is good.
- Stop smoking: Any type of inhalation (cigarettes, vaping and recreational drugs) can increase mucus, which is linked to risk of breathing problems after surgery.
- Plan for your discharge before your surgery. Schedule someone to be with you after surgery to help around the house. Prepare easy meals for after surgery.
- Stop medications or supplements not prescribed by a doctor. Medications like Tylenol PM or Advil PM can cause confused thinking and reduced awareness after surgery.
- Notify your primary care doctor and/or cardiologist about your upcoming surgery.
How to prepare for colorectal surgery
How to prepare for obstetric and gynecologic surgery
How to prepare for orthopedic surgery
What you should bring to the hospital
Please bring the following with you to the hospital:
- Copy of your Advance Health Care Directive Form
- List of medications and allergies (include vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as dosages), if not already given to the PAES nurse
- Copy of ID card for your pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, if applicable
- Your glasses or contact lens case and solution (contact lenses may be removed before
After your surgery
If possible, pick up any prescriptions before your surgery. If you will be taking prescription pain pills, you may want to consider purchasing an over-the-counter stool softener, such as Colace.
If you are currently breastfeeding, you should refrain from breastfeeding for 24 hours after anesthesia. Some medications are safe to resume breastfeeding within 24 hours. Please review your medications with your nurse before you are discharged to determine if you are safe to resume breastfeeding.
Caring for you safely
Pain management
At Sharp, our goal is to keep you safe and comfortable. While some pain is expected after surgery, our expert teams aim to help you safely manage your pain.
Tips for managing your pain
When it comes to managing pain after your surgery, we encourage you to:
- Talk to your doctor about the medicines and methods that work for you
- Be aware that opioids can be addictive and have serious side effects, including nausea, vomiting, itching, dizziness, severe constipation, confusion and breathing problems
- Let your nurse or doctor know immediately about any medication side effects you experience
- Ask your care team about alternative ways to manage your pain, such as mindfulness or heat and cold therapy
Your pain scale
We'll ask you about your acceptable level of pain, which is the amount of pain you're able to tolerate without affecting your ability to function. We use a specific pain scale to help you manage your pain, which you can download and view below.
Additional resources
The following PDFs are available to download:
Anesthesia
We understand that preparing for surgery can be overwhelming. At Sharp, we're here to help ease your concerns and ensure your confidence as your surgery date approaches.
We offer a holistic approach to your surgical experience, beginning with a presurgical visit from the anesthesiologist. Our expert physician anesthesiologists will carefully consider your needs as well as the specific requirements of your procedure.
Below, you'll find the most common approaches to anesthesia used at Sharp.
General anesthesia
Administered intravenously (IV) or by inhalation, general anesthesia involves an assortment of medications that ensure complete amnesia in addition to pain relief and muscle relaxation.
Regional (nerve block) anesthesia
This type of anesthesia numbs only specific regions of your body, such as the lower extremities, upper extremities or chest, and may be combined with a general anesthetic for pain control. You may also receive nerve block anesthesia alongside a sedative for comfort.
Local anesthesia with sedation
Local anesthesia (such as lidocaine), also known as monitored anesthesia care or MAC, is injected into a specific part of your body by the surgeon. You may also receive a gentle sedative or anesthetic for comfort.
Spinal and epidural anesthesia
Also known as neuraxial anesthesia, these local anesthetics are administered into the low back in the case of spinal anesthetics, and into the low or mid-back for epidurals. This anesthetic approach results in a controlled decrease in pain and sensation within whole regions of the body and may be used for surgery or as a supplement to a general anesthetic.
Where to find our pre-anesthesia evaluation services.
Pre-anesthesia evaluation services are offered at each of our acute-care San Diego hospitals. Learn more about each of our locations.
You can find address information and directions on the map below.
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
A PAES team member will contact you to make an appointment. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
PAES is conveniently located behind the main hospital. Free parking is available a large parking area as well as in a parking structure.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 619-502-5935, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. Our fax number is 619-502-3131.
Sharp Coronado Hospital
PAES is conveniently located next to Sharp Coronado Hospital in the medical office building. The hospital has complimentary valet parking daily from 7 am to 4:30 pm.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 619-522-3754, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Sharp Grossmont Hospital
A PAES team member will contact you to schedule a phone appointment. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you prefer, you can call us directly at 619-740-5180 to schedule your appointment.
PAES is conveniently located adjacent to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in the Grossmont Medical Terrace Building. Parking is available in Parking Structure 4, located behind the building. There is a fee for parking.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 619-740-8588, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
A PAES team member will contact you to make an appointment. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
PAES is conveniently located adjacent to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Parking is available all around the building and is free for the first 15 minutes, after which there is a minimal fee.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 858-939-3295, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm. Our fax number is 858-636-2810.
Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion
A PAES team member will contact you to make an appointment. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
PAES is conveniently located adjacent to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Parking is available all around the building and is free for the first 15 minutes, after which there is a minimal fee.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 858-939-3295, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm. Our fax number is 858-636-2810.