Preoperative Checklist

•   In-person or Virtual Joints Classroom

–   Have you attended in-person joints sponsored by the hospital?

–   If not, have you watched the joints virtual classroom video?

–   If you still have questions, please make another clinic appointment with me

•      Labs (about 1-3 weeks prior to the surgery)

–   Did you get your blood drawn for various labs (CBC, INR, etc)?

–   Did you get your nose swabbed for checking any skin bugs such as Staph aureus residing in your nose?

•      Your health/Diet

–   Have you been optimizing your health? (absolutely no smoking within one month of surgery!)

–   If you have any medical conditions, have you recently seen your primary care physician for clearance?  

–   Are you eating healthy? This is not the time to go on diet. I want you to be nourished, not malnourished

•      Social planning

–   Advanced Directives

–   Find your joints “friend” or “coach” to help you before, during, and after

•      Bring a list of home medications

•      Stop some medications and continue with others (please see the next handout)

•      Chlorhexidine wash (please see the next handout)

•      Complete any invasive or dental work at least one month prior to the surgery

•      Complete call with a nurse from the hospital or surgical center

•      Prepare your home for discharge (make any arrangement, get food ready)