Pre-Surgery Lab Work

Depending on the type of surgery you will be having and your age, certain blood and heart studies may be needed prior to undergoing anesthesia. These are necessary for your safety so that we can be sure there are no unknown or underlying medical issues.

If you are a healthy patient, the following preoperative criteria apply:

• If you are 60 years of age or older, you will need an EKG and CBC (blood count)
• If you are a male aged 45 or older, you will need an EKG
• If you are a female aged 50 or older, you will need an EKG

If you have certain medical issues (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, on certain medications), other preoperative lab studies may be needed. Dr. Eppley will make that determination in conjunction with your primary care physician if necessary.

If any of these tests are necessary for your surgery, you may elect to have them performed by your primary care physician or internist and have the results sent to us. In many cases, these studies may already be on file at your own physician’s office. Test performed within the year preceding your scheduled surgery are usually acceptable.

It is your responsibility to coordinate the arrival of these test results in our office no later than 48 hours preceding your surgery. These tests can also be performed at the hospital or surgery center on the day of surgery. The costs for performing these tests are not included in your surgical quote and will be billed directly to you after surgery. Costs associated with these tests are your responsibility.