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Preparing For Your Visit

San Mateo Medical Center

San Mateo Medical Center / How-to Guides / Preparing For Your Visit

Whether it’s an in-person, phone or video visit, we’re working hard to provide you with the care you need, when you need it. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your clinic visit.

How to Prepare for Your Clinic Visit

In-Person Clinic Visits

  • Try not to arrive more than 15 minutes early.
  • Give yourself enough time to find parking.
  • Bring all your medications with you, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins.
  • Be sure to complete all labs and other testing prior to your visit.
  • Masks are always strongly recommended to protect you and others, even if you have no symptoms.

Phone Visits

  • You must be in the state of California during your appointment.
  • Choose a quiet place for your visit where you have a good phone connection.
  • Your care team will call you within 30 minutes before or after your appointment time.
  • Our call may display on Caller ID as blocked, restricted or a private number.
  • Have all your medications, including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins, nearby so you can review them with your care team.

Video Visits

  • You must be in the state of California during your appointment.
  • Choose a quiet place for your visit where you have a good wifi connection. (Please test your internet connection, video and sound before the visit to minimize delays.)
  • Your care team will contact you within 30 minutes before or after your appointment time by sending you a link (either by email or text). Make sure you open that link in either Safari (for Apple/Mac) or Chrome (for Android/Windows). Other browsers will not work!
  • You may be asked to allow the website to access your camera and microphone.
  • You will be asked to enter your name. You will then enter the online waiting area before your care team joins you in the video visit.
  • Have all your medications, including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins, nearby so you can review them with your care team.
  • If you have a glucometer or blood pressure cuff at home, please have them within reach.
  • If you have a list of your blood pressure or blood sugar readings, please have them ready to review with your provider.
  • If you are the caregiver, make sure the patient is also available at the time of the visit.