General Surgery Clinic

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If surgery is advised, your provider will talk with you about what choices you have. If you decide to have the surgery, you and your provider will talk about what the surgery involves, schedule a date for the surgery, and order any other tests needed.

When your doctor schedules you for a surgery or out-patient procedure at CMH, you’ll benefit from state-of-the-art operating rooms; our excellent nursing and surgery caregivers; the comfortable private rooms; and our patient-centered focus.

After your surgery or procedure has been scheduled, you will be directed to visit the pre-admission testing nurse or asked to leave your phone number for a call back. This service allows you to complete all pre-operative procedures you may need (lab tests, x-rays, EKG, etc.), to ask questions and to learn more about recovery. The pre-admission testing nurse can be reached at 503-338-7516.

Both same day procedures and in-patient surgeries are done in the main hospital. We will call you the day before your surgery (usually 2-4pm) to let you know what time you should arrive at the hospital the next day.

A: If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you may be asked to reschedule, as the remaining time reserved for you will not be sufficient for the provider to address your needs. If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time.

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Most people are referred to the clinic by their primary care provider before contacting us to make an appointment. If you are referred from outside CMH, please bring copies of your results from tests performed by other institutions, or request that your other provider’s office send your test results to us. If you are unsure what is needed, just let us know and we will be happy to help you.

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Some services may not be covered by your insurance plan. Please ask your medical provider and your insurance provider about costs before planning any procedure.

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Please bring the following:

• Your insurance card
• Photo ID
• New patient paperwork. You will receive new patient paperwork in the mail before your appointment. Please complete it before you come, or arrive 30 minutes early to give yourself enough time to complete the paperwork at the clinic.
• Advanced directive, power of attorney or POLST form, if you have them.
• All current medicines or supplements in their original, labeled containers
• Cash, check or card to make co-payment. If you do not have insurance or are a self-pay patient, you may speak with a Patient Financial Services Counselor before your visit. Financial assistance options are available.

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When you arrive, please check in at the desk. We will ask you for your completed paperwork, insurance card, and co-payment. You will be given a Consent-to-Treat form and we will take your photograph to help ensure proper identification while you are under our care. In some cases, x-ray or lab tests may be required during your appointment, but we’ll let you know that before your appointment. If your appointment results in scheduling a procedure or surgery, your visit may last a little longer than normal.

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Normal results may be sent by mail. We will call you to talk about any concerning test results, or to schedule a follow-up appointment. All results are provided after our caregivers receive the final report, which may take a week or more for some tests. If you’ve not heard from us within seven (7) days, please call the office. Please note that results can be given directly to the patient or authorized representative only. If you would like to authorize anyone other than yourself to have access to your medical information, ask us for a release of information authorization form.

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If you need a refill of your medication, please call your pharmacy and ask them to submit a refill request. Please allow three (3) business days for all refill requests, and see your provider on schedule so that we can monitor your health and keep your prescriptions up to date and refilled as needed.

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There are a couple different ways to reach your provider, the clinic nurse or the family transition planner. You may 1) send us a message through the patient portal, myCMH, or 2) call the clinic phone number, press "3" for more options, then select the person you'd like to reach.