General Surgery

Thank you for selecting Suburban Hospital for your upcoming surgery. To help you and your family prepare for the procedure, please review the following important information.

Pre-Surgical Testing

A complete history and physical exam are required within seven (7) days of your scheduled surgery date. If you are 50 years of age or older, you must have an EKG performed within 90 days of your scheduled surgery date.

Chest x-rays and lab tests are not required unless specifically ordered by your surgeon, or are medically indicated. If your surgeon has requested that you be "typed and screened" or "“typed and cross-matched" for blood products, you must arrange for this test to be done at Suburban Hospital rather than any other independent testing sites.

For your convenience, Suburban Hospital has a Pre-Surgical Testing Center where all pre-operative testing and preparation for surgery can be completed. To arrange an appointment, please call our Scheduling and Registration staff at 301.896.2222. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are a member of a health maintenance organization (HMO) and your health plan requires that your pre-testing services be handled by specific providers outside of the hospital, please be certain to have all test results faxed to our Pre-Surgical Testing Center at 301.896.7345 as soon as possible.

Scheduling and Registration

Prior to your surgery, you will receive a phone call from a member of our Scheduling and Registration staff. The representative will pre-register you for your procedure and verify your insurance information and personal data. If indicated, they will arrange an appointment for you in our Pre-Surgical Testing Center.

Please advise us if you are hearing impaired or require a translator so we can make the necessary arrangements. A nurse from the Pre-Surgical Testing Center will also call you, one to two days before your surgery, to review your medical history, discuss your procedure, and answer any questions.

If you prefer, you can pre-register yourself online by clicking here.

Day of Surgery

Do not eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery. You may have clear liquids (no milk or milk products or juice containing pulp) up to four (4) hours before your scheduled surgery time, unless otherwise directed by your surgeon. Your surgeon will instruct you regarding the time to arrive at the hospital.  Please report to the Registration Desk located in the main lobby of the hospital. You will be given an admission folder and be transferred to the 5th floor Surgical Waiting Room. Please do not bring any personal valuables such as wallets, purses, and jewelry. However, insurance cards, picture IDs, and appropriate payment will be required during the registration/discharge process.

Pre-Operative Holding Unit

A member of the Pre-Operative Holding Unit will escort you and your family/significant others from the Surgical Waiting Room to a private holding room prior to your procedure. Our holding rooms are equipped with TVs and telephones for your use while you wait. A nurse will join you in the holding room to review medical information, answer questions, and prepare you for your procedure. At this time, you will change into a patient gown for surgery.  If you wear dentures or contact lenses, you will be asked to remove them.

If you wear a hearing aid, please have it with you. All jewelry must be removed, including wedding rings. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit you prior to the scheduled surgery time.  The anesthesiologist or nurse will start an intravenous line in preparation for the operating room. At your scheduled surgery time, you will be transferred from the holding room to the operating room. At this time your family/significant others must return to the Surgical Waiting Room.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit

When the surgical procedure is finished, you will be transported to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, where a nurse will monitor your progress. Once you are awake, sitting up and taking some fluids, a nurse will give you verbal and written post-operative discharge instructions. You will then be discharged from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit.

After Surgery

If you are scheduled to go home after surgery, you will be transported to the hospital exit by wheelchair. A responsible adult must accompany you. You may not drive yourself.  You may take a taxicab home only if a responsible adult accompanies you. If you are admitted to the hospital, you will be transported to your room by stretcher. Your family may join you in your room at this time.

Helpful Suburban Hospital Phone Listings

Financial Counseling	301.896.3801
Patient Information	301.896.3118
Surgical Waiting Room	301.896.3891
Scheduling and Registration	301.896.2222	(Pre-Registration and Pre-Surgical Testing Appointments)

Billing Information

To ensure proper billing and prompt payment, please submit complete insurance information for all insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid.  If this information is not given at the time of service, the bill will be the responsibility of the patient/guarantor.

Charges not covered by insurance are the responsibility of the patient/guarantor or his/her representative. A deposit is required upon admission to cover the portion not covered by insurance. All plastic/cosmetic procedure charges are due at the time of admission. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Suburban Hospital will bill directly to your health insurance carrier. You will receive a notice that your claim has been billed, along with a copy of your summary hospital charges.

Billing for Other Professional Services

In addition to your bill from Suburban Hospital, you may also receive separate bills for services provided by physicians and other healthcare professionals. 

These may include:

First Colony Anesthesia Associates	240.364.2500
Radiological Services	301.562.7881
Suburban EKG Interpreters	804.262.1190
Suburban Pathology/Lab	240.364.2515

Parking Information

Parking is available at Suburban Hospital for patients, visitors, employees and physicians.  Each area is clearly designated.  Parking rates are posted and charged from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handicapped parking is provided adjacent to each entrance. Valet parking also available.