Perioperative Medicine (POM)
Welcome to the Perioperative Medicine Clinic (POM)
We created this page to make your path to surgery simple and easy. You may want to bookmark or save this page as a favorite so that you can return to it later.
The POM department of the Diablo Service Area is responsible for the evaluation and preparation of all patients scheduled for surgery at the Walnut Creek Medical Center, the Antioch Medical Center, and the Dublin Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Once your surgery date has been scheduled, your surgeon’s office will schedule your appointment with the POM. Depending on the complexity of your procedure and your medical condition, you may be scheduled for a formal office visit or an evaluation by telephone. Your surgeon will help decide which is best for you.
Follow these steps below to prepare for your surgery.
Step 1 – Your POM Clinic Appointment
During your POM appointment your medical record will be reviewed. This will include a review of any preoperative tests that you have completed, along with your current medications and other important preoperative screening questions. This evaluation will ensure your readiness for surgery. At the conclusion of this visit, you will be provided with important information to help you prepare for your surgery.
It is important to keep this appointment to prevent any issues that may cause a delay or postponement of your surgery. The date and time of your appointment will have been sent you in an email or given to you by one our surgical schedulers.
Step 2 – Learning About Anesthesia
Prior to the day of surgery your chart will be reviewed in detail by an anesthesiologist. If additional information is required you will receive a phone call. On the day of surgery, your anesthesia provider will review your medical history and anesthesia plan with you.
Please review these important safety instructions:
If you want to learn more about blood transfusions and blood products, click here to a link from the State of California:
Click the link below to watch a video that will help you better understand the anesthesia you will receive before your procedure:
Step 3 – Preparing for Your Procedure
Next, we would like you to preview each step of your procedure online with the “Prepare for Your Procedure (EMMI)” program. This short, easy to understand video will provide you with a clear sense of what to expect before, during and after your procedure. Patients who watch these find them very helpful and feel reassured about their experience having surgery.
The program can also be viewed at home, a Kaiser Permanente Health Education Center, or anywhere with internet access. Many can also be watched on a tablet or smartphone. Please watch the program as many times as you would like and share it with family and friends.
PLEASE NOTE: NOT EVERY PROCEDURE WILL BE LISTED. IF YOU DO NOT FIND THE PROCEDURE YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR, YOU MAY STILL FIND IT HELPFUL TO VIEW THE ANESTHESIA PROGRAM
If you are expecting to stay overnight in the hospital, please view the pneumonia prevention education video and handout.
If your surgeon has spoken with you about the early recovery after surgery pathway, please review the article and associated links regarding ERAS.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, or ERAS for short, is a program that helps you safely prepare for surgery and recover more quickly after surgery. It will help you to heal more quickly, eat and move sooner and control your pain.
Prepare for Successful Surgery by listening to our guided imagery podcast on your computer or downloading it to your portable device.
Step 4 – The Day of Your Surgery
A staff member from the Admitting Department will call you the business day before your surgery to provide you with the time of your surgery.
For directions to the any of our medical centers or offices click on the following link:
Finally, it is our pleasure here at Kaiser Permanente to care for you during your surgery. If you have any further questions or needs, please contact your surgeon, anesthesiologist or primary care physician.