Thank you for entrusting MCMC with your care. Our professional, caring staff will do their best to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible. With our home-like atmosphere and employees and volunteers committed to your comfort and satisfaction, we are certain that you will understand what we mean when we say we are a person-centered hospital.

To help you prepare for your stay, here is a list of items you should and should not bring with you :

What to Bring

  • Your health insurance plan card.
  • Your prescription insurance plan card.
  • Personal identification (valid driver’s license, state identification card or passport).
  • HMO/PPO referral forms (if required).
  • Any outside medical records, X-ray films, or prior test results not taken at MCMC (if your physician has requested them).
  • Written letter of authorization from your insurance carrier (if you are covered by worker’s compensation)
  • A copy of your advance directive or living will.
  • All medications you are taking in their original containers.
  • Any essential personal items, such as glasses, dentures, hearing aids, walker or wheelchair.
  • Personal hygiene items you may need.
  • Clothing for your stay and discharge.
  • Reading and writing materials if you wish.
  • If desired, cash to pay for newspapers, gift shop articles and other items. No more than $20 is recommended.

What Not to Bring

  • Credit cards
  • Jewelry
  • Valuables
  • More than $20 in cash

For your security and the safety of your personal belongings please leave any valuable items at home or with family or friends. Mid-Columbia Medical Center has no provisions for the safekeeping of your money or valuables and cannot be responsible for loss or damage of your personal belongings.

Preparing For Surgery

If you are scheduled for surgery, we invite you to download our Surgery Guidebook which contains important information about what to expect and how to prepare for your procedure.

Pre-registering for your surgery
You may pre-register for surgery at any time; no appointment is necessary. Our Patient & Visitor Services (PVS) department is located at the Emergency entrance; as you enter this area, the desk is to your left. When you pre-register for your surgery, please have the following items with you:

  • A complete patient admission form
  • Any Pre-Op packet/papers from your doctor
  • Your insurance and/or Medicare cards
  • Completed Advance Directives form (this can be picked up from your doctor’s office or the PVS staff)

Registering on the day of your surgery
We encourage you to pre-register for your surgery at least 24 hours before your procedure, but we know that is not always possible.

Pre-registration is a safeguard to make sure any required lab or X-ray tests have been completed. Incomplete lab or x-ray tests may result in your surgery being delayed or postponed.

If you need to register the same day of your surgery, please arrive at least one hour before your scheduled procedure and bring all of the information (listed in the pre-registration section above) with you.

Prior to Surgery
Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow. In most cases, you should not eat or drink (not even water, coffee or gum) after 10 p.m. the night before your surgery. Failure to follow your doctor’s specific instructions and not preparing properly may delay or postpone your scheduled surgery.

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