Your discharge from hospital
Most patients will have their surgery as a day case, meaning you will go home on the same day as the procedure. Sometimes, the surgeon or the team may want you to stay overnight for monitoring. You will be told this in advance to your admission in order to come prepared. If you go home on the same day, you will require a responsible adult with you for 24hrs following your general anaesthesia.
Before being discharged, you need to be able to achieve the following:
Return of acceptable movement and sensation following the anaesthetic nerve block
Acceptable pain control
Eat and drink normally
Passed urine independently
You will be provided with a discharge letter/summary with the details of the following:
The procedure(s) you have had done
When to have a wound review and where
Any medications you have been prescribed to take away
Details of all relevant follow up appointments with physiotherapy and your care team
Any other specific post-operative instructions
Your clinical team will go through this summary with you.
In addition, you may want to clarify verbally with your care team the following and write notes down:
Any “red flags’ to look out for and what to do when you notice them
Any specific dietary requirements
How to care for your wound and what happens if the dressing starts to come off
When and how to obtain additional or alternative medication
The do’s and don’ts specific to your surgery
Sick note if required
The care team will provide you with a telephone number to contact should you experience any complications following discharge.
The care team will demonstrate to you how to put the sling on and off.
Please watch the following instructional videos:
The care team will also give you instructions on how to maintain good underarm hygiene while in the sling.
References
NHS, 2018, Arranging Care before you leave the hospital, Last viewed 30 September 2022 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-after-a-hospital-stay/arranging-care-before-you-leave-hospital/
Arthritis Foundation, Prepare for going home after surgery, Last viewed 30 September 2022 https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/after-surgery/prepare-for-going-home-after-surgery
NHS, 2019. Being discharged from hospital. Last viewed 30 September 2022