Pre-surgical clinic

About the Pre-Surgical Clinic

The Children’s Minnesota Pre-Surgical Clinic is a dedicated hub specializing in preparing patients for anesthesia and surgery.

When to get an exam before surgery

If your child is having surgery at a Children’s Minnesota location, they need to have a pre-surgery exam. The exam must be no more than 30 days before surgery. This appointment is a time to discuss your child’s health history and help identify any potential risks or concerns.

Who should visit the Pre-Surgical Clinic?

Any patient scheduled for surgery at Children’s Minnesota can complete their pre-surgery exam at the Pre-Surgical Clinic with a specialized nurse practitioner. However, it is highly recommended for:

• Patients with complex needs: Patients with medical, developmental or behavioral needs that require extra monitoring and support.
• Anesthesia history: Patients with a history of breathing issues or previous reactions to sedation (anesthesia).
• Recent illness: If a patient has recently been sick with a viral illness (like a cold or flu) close to the surgery date.
• Access to care: If a patient has difficulty getting a pre-surgery exam elsewhere.

What to expect

When you visit the Pre-Surgical Clinic, a specialized nurse practitioner will work directly with your child’s surgeons, the surgical and anesthesia teams, and the Children’s Minnesota team to make sure everyone is in sync and your child is ready for surgery.

During your visit, our team focuses on:

• Health check: We’ll do a physical exam and review your child’s medical history.
• Anesthesia planning: We meet with medically complex patients to create a comprehensive sedation (anesthesia) plan.
• Coordinated care: If a patient has developmental or behavioral needs, we organize support to make the hospital environment more accommodating.

Pre-Surgical Clinic locations