Pre-Operative Care Clinic

The Pre-Operative Care Clinic (POCC) is a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who specialize in preparing patients for surgery. POCC evaluates patients on an individual basis to design a specific care plan for each child having surgery. We coordinate with medical specialists to provide seamless care before, during and after surgery, ensuring that your child receives quality care in the safest environment.

You will receive a call 10 to 14 days prior to surgery to discuss your child’s health, your concerns and to answer any questions you might have. It is important that we know your child’s health history to help identify potential risks before your child’s anesthesia and surgery.

To better serve patients with complex medical needs and special circumstances, we may ask you to schedule a POCC visit to meet with the anesthesiologist before the surgery date. The perioperative care team will inform you if your child requires a POCC visit.

The clinic evaluates patients with the following conditions and circumstances, and for any patient as requested by a physician:

• Blood disorders, including sickle cell disease and hemophilia
• Children who use a ventilator or oxygen
• Diabetes related complications
• Dialysis patients
• Goldenhar syndrome
• Heart disease
• History of complications with anesthesia
• Liver disease
• Metabolic disorders
• Muscular dystrophy or progressive weakness of another cause
• Pierre robin syndrome
• Respiratory conditions, such as severe asthma or cystic fibrosis
• Seizures
• Special ethical issues, such as religious objections to certain procedures

To minimize the number of trips to the hospital, POCC can also function as a “virtual clinic.” We usually speak with you by phone and communicate by e-mail before your child’s surgery. If your child needs to see one of our specialists in person, we do your best to coordinate appointments with another medical visit.