Preparing for your surgery and hospital stay means knowing what you need to do in the days before your operation and knowing what to pack for the hospital. You may be required to attend the hospital for a pre-operative assessment.
What happens during a pre-operative assessment?
The pre-operative assessment clinic gives your surgical team the opportunity to make sure you are fit enough for the surgery and anaesthetic. You’ll be asked questions about your medical history, the support you have at home, and current health. They may want you to review your current medication so please bring these with you. You may also be asked to carry out tests such as MRSA screening, blood tests, or urine tests.
During this visit, you will have a chance to ask last-minute questions.
What should I bring into hospital?
Make sure you pack everything you will need during your hospital stay. This might include:
All tablets, medicines or inhalers that you have been prescribed (including those stopped prior to surgery)
Personal items – including night clothes, dressing gown and slippers,
Comfortable day clothes
Your spectacles (labelled with your name)
Clean underwear
Toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap, shampoo, shaving equipment, comb or hairbrush etc).
Mobile phone and charger –
Small hand towel/ flannel
Comfortable footwear
What do I do on the day of my surgery?
Please follow the advice given by your care team regarding taking or stopping your routine medication before the operation. Please bring all your medicines with you to the hospital
If you are using any devices (eg. CPAP machine), please bring it with you. You may need it whilst in the hospital
If you are having spinal anaesthetic, we may allow you to listen to your own music. You may wish to bring your own iPod (or similar device) and ear piece
You will be expected to attend the ward shown on your letter at the specific time indicated.
Fasting: All patients need to fast for 6 hours (for solid food) before any anaesthesia or sedation is administered. You may drink clear liquids like Water, Black Coffee or Black Tea up to two hours before the operation. Please do not chew gum or eat sweets.
Milk, fizzy drinks (including Red Bull and Lucozade), fruit juice or milky tea/coffee are not allowed.
Hygiene: To help reduce unwanted bacteria (germs), it is important that you remove all body piercings, make-up, and nail polish before your operation. Do not shave the leg within 4 days of surgery and wash with hibiscrub the night before and the morning of surgery. Dry with a clean towel and get dressed with clean clothes.
Transportation: You will not be well enough to drive or travel by yourself after your surgery, so make a plan ahead of time for getting to and from the hospital. If you can, have a friend or family member drive you.
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References:
“Having an Operation – Preparing for Surgery.” NHS Choices, NHS. Accessed 14 May 2020 - Click here
“Knee Replacement.” NHS Choices, NHS. Accessed 14 May 2020 - Click here
NICE: Perioperative care in adults. Accessed 22 May 2020 - Click here