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Prepare Program

Before your child's surgery, your doctor will schedule an appointment for you with the Pediatric Prepare Program (Pedi Prepare), our anesthesia and surgical evaluation program. Pedi Prepare makes sure your child is ready for surgery and provides tests and blood work. The purpose of this program is to help children understand and cope with coming to the hospital. Your appointment includes hospital registration and financial counseling.

Usually, your child's Pedi Prepare appointment will take place the week prior to admission and will last one to two hours. If you live outside the Bay Area and need hotel accommodations, please arrange for lodging for the night before surgery. Our Physician Referral Service has information about local lodging arrangements. Please call (888) 689-UCSF.

If your child is in good health or has been seen by the Pedi Prepare within the last three months with no change in medical condition, you may have a phone appointment instead. Your child's doctor will make this decision.

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Your child's Pedi Prepare evaluation will include:

Measurement of vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, etc.
A nurse practitioner or anesthesia doctor will complete a brief medical history and physical examination. An anesthesia doctor or nurse practitioner will talk to you about anesthesia and pain during and after your child's operation.
Your child may have an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood test or chest X-ray.
During the Pedi Prepare appointment, we will provide instructions for the day of your child's admission, including restrictions on what he or she may eat or drink before. You will be told when to arrive and where to check in. Please plan to arrive two hours before the scheduled operation. You also may be asked to complete forms required for admission.
If you have concerns about talking to your child about the surgery or procedure, you can request that a Child Life Specialist (CLS) contact you. Concerns can sometimes be addressed over the phone, but you can also bring your child in for an appointment with CLS.

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Visiting the Clinic
FAQs
Parking

Getting Here

Pediatric Prepare Program
Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building
1825 Fourth St., Sixth Floor, 6B
San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone: (415) 353-1150
Fax: (415) 353-8800

Hours: Monday to Friday
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Printable Map & Directions

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Patient Services

FAQs

Dr. Andrew Infosino, a pediatric anesthesiologist, prepared the following questions and answers from the UCSF Department of Anesthesia.

How long should my child fast before surgery?

This depends on your child's age, the surgery, and your child's underlying medical condition. Sometimes, children are allowed to drink clear liquids until two or three hours before surgery. At other times, children must refrain from liquids and solids after midnight before their surgery. This information should be discussed with you in detail during your Prepare Program visit.

What if my child develops a cold before surgery?

You should notify your child's surgeon and the Prepare Program office at (415) 353-1150 to determine what should be done. In some instances, surgery should be delayed until the cold has resolved. At other times, it is not necessary to postpone surgery.

May I stay with my child while he or she falls asleep?

Under some circumstances, parents may be present while their child is falling asleep. You should discuss this with your anesthesiologist before surgery.

Where will my child go after surgery is finished?

Your child will usually be taken to the Pediatric Recovery Room. After some types of surgery, children are taken directly to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

When will I be able to see my child after surgery is finished?

You may join your child in the Pediatric Recovery Room once he or she has been assessed by the Recovery Room nurse. This takes at least 10 to 15 minutes.

What options does my child have for pain control after surgery?

This depends on the type of surgery your child will have, as well as any underlying medical conditions. Pain control methods include intravenous pain medications, epidural blocks, caudal blocks, and other nerve blocks. Postoperative pain management should be discussed with your anesthesiologist before surgery to determine the most appropriate method for your child.

Who do I contact if I have any questions before my child has surgery?

You may call your child's surgeon for any questions, or you may call the Prepare Program office at (415) 353-1150.

What should my child bring to the hospital?

The hospital will provide pajamas. You may bring your child's own clothes, slippers and a robe. We especially recommend bringing your child's favorite toy or security object.

Are my child's brothers and sisters allowed to visit?

Yes! Brothers and sisters are encouraged to visit. However, siblings under the age of 12 must be screened by a nurse to make sure they have no contagious infections. Just ask your child's nurse to set up a visiting time.

Is my family allowed to tour the hospital before surgery?

Yes! Child Life Services offers tours of the hospital including the Children's Surgery Center and the Pediatric Unit. You may schedule your child for the pre-admission program by calling Child Life Services at (415) 353-1203.

Parking

Parking at Mission Bay

Public parking options at UCSF's Mission Bay campus include:

1835 Owens St. Garage, located across from the UCSF Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building
1625 Owens St. Garage, located next to the Mission Bay Community Center
1630 Third St. Garage, located just north of 16th Street
1500 Owens St. surface lot, available for patients of the Orthopedic Institute and Obstetrics & Gynecology Services at Mission Bay

Weekdays: $3.75/hour
Daily Maximum: $30/day

More Information

Download a Mission Bay campus map

Public Transportation

UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay is accessible via the following Muni bus routes:

22
55
T-Third Street line

More Information

(415) 673-6864 (MUNI)
SFMTA website

UCSF Shuttles

Free UCSF shuttles connect the Mission Bay campus with our Mount Zion and Parnassus campuses as well as other UCSF locations and the 16th Street BART station.