Preparing for Your Stay
At Valley Presbyterian Hospital, we want to help you prepare for your upcoming hospital stay and make your admission as easy as possible. If you are being admitted for a prearranged procedure or surgery, please review the information below. If you are arriving through the Emergency Room, visit our What to Bring & Expect page.
Before You Are Admitted for a Procedure or Surgery
Your physician will arrange for your admission to Valley Presbyterian Hospital for your procedure or surgery, including any preoperative tests that may be needed before you are admitted. Visit our Admission Process page for step-by-step instructions on how to preregister before you arrive for your preoperative test, procedure or surgery, and special admission instructions if you are an Obstetrics (OB) patient having your baby at VPH.
Please note that if you do not preregister, you will be required to bring and complete all documents listed on the Admission Process page, as they apply to you.
If you have questions or concerns about your preoperative test instructions, procedure or surgery, please notify your pre-op nurse or surgeon before the day it is scheduled.
Contact Preoperative Nurse at
818.902.5155
Open Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
How To Prepare For Your Procedure or Surgery
Before your procedure or surgery:
- Notify your doctor if you develop any signs of illness before your scheduled admission. Report symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, breathing difficulty, chest pain, or skin problems near the area where you will have the procedure or surgery.
- Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home after your surgery. Please note that you will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have proper transportation arrangements.
On the night before your procedure or surgery:
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight, including water, chewing gum, and candy
- Do not smoke after midnight
- To reduce the chance of infection, please shower or bathe the night before and the morning of your surgery, unless your physician has instructed otherwise
On the day of your procedure or surgery:
- Do not wear any makeup, lotion, perfume, hairspray, hair gel, or dark nail polish and trim your nails to prevent the spread of infection
- Do not shave the area where you will be having the procedure or surgery
- You may brush your teeth and gargle but do not swallow the water
- Do not wear contact lenses. Bring eye glasses.
- Wear comfortable clothes, without jewelry
- Bring any equipment that is needed for your surgery including BIPAP and CPAP machines
- Bring your identification, and AICD or pacemaker cards. If you haven't preregistered in advance, you are also required to bring additional documents and provide signed forms before we can complete your admission. See the lists in Step 2 and 3 on our Admission Process page.
- Arrive two (2) hours before your scheduled procedure. Please check in at the Main Lobby Information Desk located on the first floor.
- Please note that visiting children under the age of 16 years old will not be allowed in the Same Day Surgery Department
After your procedure or surgery:
- You will not be allowed to drive yourself home
- Do not drive, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for 24 hours after your procedure or surgery
- Please note that visiting children under the age of 16 years old will not be allowed in the Same Day Surgery Department
What to Bring for an Overnight Stay
In addition, we suggest you only bring essential items that you will need during your hospitalization. These items might include:
- Toiletries
- Robe
- Essential medical devices, such as hearing aids and dentures
- Reading material
- Checkbook
- A small amount of cash ($10)
- Small electrical appliances such as shavers and hair dryers are acceptable
What To Bring If You Are Having a Baby
When you are admitted, please bring the important documents listed in the Obstetrics (OB) Admission section of our Admission Process page. Also, visit our maternity Prepare for Your Stay page for a checklist of other essential items to have ready for your exciting day!
What to Leave at Home
Leave the following items at home:
- Jewelry
- Cash (large amounts)
- Electronics
- Cigarettes and/or tobacco products
- Other valuables
- Electronic appliances, except those listed above under What to Bring for an Overnight Stay, are not permitted in patient rooms for safety reasons
- Medications taken at home should not be brought to the hospital unless you have been directed to do so by your physician
- In addition, patients and visitors are strictly prohibited from bringing weapons, medical marijuana, and other illegal substances on our campus. Our goal in developing these policies is to support safe and effective care, and your cooperation is appreciated. For more information about these policies and what happens if patients or visitors do not comply with them, please visit the Weapons Prohibited, and Medical Marijuana and Illegal Substances sections of our Visiting Information page.
Maps, Directions & Parking
You may find it helpful to review our Maps, Directions & Parking before visiting Valley Presbyterian Hospital. A parking garage for preregistered patients and patients with physician orders is located adjacent to the hospital on Noble Avenue. Handicapped parking is readily available. Valet parking is also available in the lot in front of the hospital’s main entrance on Vanowen Street.
