What Happens at a PATTS?

Mar 31, 2014

A PATTS is an appointment at your hospital for pre-admission testing and filling out necessary forms and the like.

I went through Ottawa's Weight Management Clinic at the Civic Hospital. My PATTS was held on January 27, 2014. Surgery was one week later on February 3, 2014. Some people have their PATTS one month before surgery. Others have theirs only a day or two before surgery.  

I see many posts about "What Happens at a PATTS appointment?" Here is what happened at my particular appointment. Your experiences may vary, of course!

My appointment was about two hours in length. They started by having me go to admitting on the main floor of the Civic Hospital with my insurance information, etc. Just an FYI, if you are married, bring your spouse's information as well and they can take that too, if you are covered under anyone else's plan.

After I was done at admitting, I took the elevators upstairs. There, after a 5-10 minute wait, I went into a consultation room and I met with the following people:

• a gentleman who recorded all of my current medications into my electronic file. They want to be sure they have everything correct; I suggest bringing your medications with you so they can get the information easily. Less detail for you to have to remember too!
• an anaesthetist. He and I spoke at length because of the fears I have about needles and IVs. He was very reassuring. He wanted to check my teeth, had me open my mouth wide, etc., to see if I had dental work he needed to be careful with, and that sort of thing. He was great.
• a nurse. She went through the booklets that they had given me about what would happen on the day of my surgery, etc. She answered all the questions I had.
• While I spoke with the first nurse, another nurse came in to do an ECG. Just a quick check of heart rates and patterns to make sure they had current information. It took less than two minutes and it's easily done on the bed in the room you will be in. Just a matter of lying down and they hook up the nodes for a 1 minute recording. And blammo. She was finished.
• a phlebotomist who took blood work so they had current values on file. That was difficult for me (needed a few sticks, lying down, etc.... remember the fear I have of needles?!) and that was done and I was outta there.

Two hours in total. Not too bad all in all. And I was ready for surgery one week later.

I hope your PATTS goes super smoothly and you too are prepared for your upcoming surgery!

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