You or Your Loved One Is Scheduled for Surgery: A Checklist of Things to Do Before Admission

If you or your loved one is scheduled to have surgery in the near future, there are a number of things that you should do prior to admission to the hospital. Many of these things your attorney can help you accomplish and some you may accomplish on your own.

Investigate the Doctor or Surgeon

First, you should investigate the doctor and/or surgeon that will be the primary caregiver while you or your loved one is hospitalized. Investigation of a healthcare provider is relatively easy and can be accomplished by going on the Virginia Department of Health Professions official website and accessing the Virginia Board of Medicine Practitioner information page at Virginia Board of Medicine.

Once on the webpage, click on the Practitioner Information tab. Scroll to the bottom, where you can enter the name of the doctor or surgeon. After selecting the physician, you will be presented with a menu of available information, including:

• General information
• Education and certifications
• Practice areas
• Insurance
• Honors and awards
• Academic appointments and publications
• Disciplinary proceedings, actions, convictions, and paid claims

All of this information can be very helpful in determining whether you believe that the physician is someone that you would be confident in allowing to provide care to you or your loved one. In particular, you will be able to see whether the doctor has settled any malpractice claims and whether the Board of Medicine has issued any actions or censure for the doctor’s conduct.

Confirm Board Certification

This information is also helpful in confirming whether the doctor has the necessary credentials and experience to render adequate care. For example, is the physician Board certified in their specialty? Board certification is granted after passing a comprehensive exam administered by the relevant medical board to ensure the doctor has sufficient knowledge in their area of practice. Most doctors are required to recertify periodically to maintain their certification.

Arrange for an Advocate

Before admission, it’s wise to arrange for someone to act as an advocate for you or your loved one while in the hospital. It is always a good idea to have someone with you or your loved one when meeting with doctors or other healthcare professionals. This person can ask additional questions and help you or your loved one remember what was discussed with medical personnel. It is always good to take notes during these meetings.

Establish a Power of Attorney (POA)

Another important step is to have a Power of Attorney (POA) in place prior to being hospitalized. A POA allows you or your loved one to give another person the power to make decisions in case you or your loved one is unable to do so. The person appointed as POA should be a person that understands your or your loved one’s wishes and is trustworthy. An attorney can help execute a valid POA.

Consider an Advance Medical Directive

You or your loved one should consider executing an Advanced Medical Directive. People often refer to this document as a living will. An attorney can help do this as well. An Advanced Medical Directive will govern what medical treatments are wanted or not wanted in case you or your loved one are unable to make those decisions. For example, an Advanced Medical Directive will let healthcare providers know of your or your loved one’s wishes concerning being kept alive with article measures such as ventilators or feeding tubes. It will also determine whether you or your loved one wish to be resuscitated.

Your lawyer can help you or your loved one prepare for an admission to the hospital. He or she can prepare the appropriate legal documents and can assist looking into the healthcare provider that will be rendering your or your loved one’s care. If you have questions about preparing for surgery or need assistance with legal documents such as a Power of Attorney or Advance Medical Directive, our experienced attorneys at Gentry Locke are here to help. We can guide you through the process to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected and informed.