Question:
If I have my pre- op tests done this week & last week how long are they good for?
I will finish up with the last of my pre-op testing Thurs. My concern is how long are those tests valid for? My Dr. is impossible about getting a surgery date. By the time his office staff gets around to it I won't have a date until probably August!! I've been waiting for almost 1 yr all ready! If I take all of these expensive, time consuming pre-op test now & come Aug or when ever I get my surgery date. If I'm told by that Drs. office that I need to take some tests over again. I will be MAAAAADDDD!!! I called my Drs. office to express my concern & was basically told "not to worry about it." They assured me the tests will be fine even until Aug? Is this true? — [Anonymous] (posted on February 27, 2002)
February 27, 2002
You know what I'd do? I'd call the surgeon's office and make sure I tell
them, ok, I've just finished my pre-ops, now I need a date. Just letting
them know you've ALREADY done it, I would think they'll consider that when
they are looking at an appointment date. It would have to be awful rude
of them to not work with you and say, oh, sorry, you're gonna have to go
through that again!
— April B.
February 27, 2002
Tests are usually good for 6 months. But, I would still bug them for a
date!! Best wishes and Good Luck!!
— RobinLPN.
February 27, 2002
I am not sure how yours works but I saw the surgeon, was approved from the
insurance co. first then my surgeon sent out my list of what needs so to be
done. I never heard of getting pre-ops before you have a a date for
surgery. Too many things can change. They need to keep things as current as
possible. But it could be different other places. I also work in a hospital
and know that labs are (usually) good for 30 days, history & physical
2-4wks, pulmonary funct 30days, psych eval 3months, and gall bladder sono
6months before surgery. I have just finished my psych eval, and have
H&P set up for April 12, then go upstairs for studies and labs and I
have surgery on April 26. Good luck
— SAMANTHA B.
February 27, 2002
It might not be a matter of how long your tests are good for, but how long
your insurance approval is good for. I will not be having surgery until
the summer. If my doctor got insurance approval today (which they can do
once they get all of your tests), then it would be good for the rest of the
year. That varies among insurance companies though. You may want to ask
your doctor if they have already gotten approval for you. If they have,
then you might want to call your insurance company and ask how long it's
good for. Good luck!
— [Anonymous]
February 28, 2002
The hospital where I had my surgery required all pre-op tests be done
within two weeks of surgery. They wanted current data with time to have
any redone if something questionable did show up.
— grammie5
February 28, 2002
What tests did you have? A gall bladder ultrasound, for example, may be
required, but is not considered a pre-op test. Usually, pre-op tests
require blood samples for a number of tests and maybe a chest x-ray.
— garw
February 28, 2002
My doc wanted them within 30 days of surgery. No further out.
— Goldilauxx B.
March 3, 2002
Are you talking about Pre-Op tests or Pre-Admission Tests? My Pre-Op tests
(blood work, echocardiogram, psych consult, gall bladder ultrasound,
nutritionist, etc.) were done over 6 months before surgery. My
pre-admission tests had to be done within 14 days of surgery (last minute
blood work, EKG and an ultrasound) at the hospital where surgery would
occur.
— Kathy J.
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