Welcome

Pre-admission testing (PAT) is an important part of the care you will receive if you are having surgery at University Medical Center at Princeton or Princeton Surgical Center.

The PAT process is designed with your pre-operative healthcare needs, personal comfort and convenience in mind. Depending on the type of procedure you are having, your physician may order:

• pre-anesthesia consultation
• physical examination by a surgical resident
• blood work
• diagnostic imaging such as a chest x-ray
• EKG (a test that detects and records heart activities)
• pulmonary function studies
• physical therapy
• social service consultation
• blood donation

Making an Appointment

The first step to pre-admission testing is making your appointment. Your physician’s office may schedule this on your behalf or you may call us directly at 609.497.4430. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please make your PAT appointment as soon as possible after your surgery date is established. You should schedule your appointment to occur no more than 30 days prior to your surgery date.

Please allow one to two hours to complete pre-admission testing. The amount of time you spend in PAT will vary based on the number of tests you are to receive.

What to Bring With You 

• Identification (driver’s license, Social Security Card or birth certificate)
• Insurance card(s)
• A list of medications, over the counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements you are currently taking
• A list of any known foods or drugs to which you are allergic
• Any instructions given to you by your physician
• A list of any questions you may have 

Blood Donations

Your physician will advise you if blood donations are required for your procedure. A prescription is required. Appointments for PAT blood donations are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Arriving for Your Appointment

We encourage you to have breakfast or other regular meals prior to your arrival for pre-admission testing. Fasting is not required unless specified by your physician. Meals and snacks are available at UMCP's cafe and cafeteria.

When you arrive for your PAT appointment, go directly to the Pre-Admission Testing office, which is located on the ground floor of University Medical Center at Princeton. Parking is available in our parking garage located at the corner of Witherspoon Street and Henry Avenue. Valet parking is available from the hospital’s main entrance between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Wheelchairs are available at the hospital’s main entrance.

When entering the hospital from the main entrance, proceed straight back; pass the Information Desk, the elevators and Outpatient Registration Desk (on your left); and go through the double doors at the end of the hallway. Please check in with the PAT associate.

Consultations & Exams

During your appointment, a PAT associate, a registrar, a registered nurse, an anesthesiologist and lab professionals will meet with you personally. Each has an important role to play in your care and will facilitate your admission by:

• educating you about your procedure, the tests that will be performed and anesthetic options available for your particular procedure
• responding to any questions you may have (tests, blood donations, training, etc.)
• preparing your paperwork and ensuring proper authorization and billing of hospital charges to your insurance provider
• helping you understand your financial obligations

Tests

For your convenience, specially trained technicians will perform all tests that are ordered by your physician. Usually these include:

• Blood and/or urine tests
• EKG
• Chest X-rays

While blood work, EKGs and physicals are performed in the Pre-Admission Testing office, you may be required to visit the Radiology Department if X-rays are needed. Separate appointments are not necessary. You will be seen as quickly as possible.

When ordered by your physician, specialized diagnostic imaging, such as MRI, CT scans and ultrasound, is available through University Medical Center at Princeton. The PAT office can assist with coordination of your appointments.

Call 609.497.4430 for information. 

Training

In addition to coordinating your pre-operative healthcare needs, the Pre-Admission Testing office will handle arrangements for training with walking devices such as crutches or walkers (if required) following your procedure.

Questions

Any questions you may have before, during or after your procedure may be directed to your physician or the PAT office at 609.497.4430.