A mini guide
Hospitals and medical procedures have always been fertile ground for comedy. “A pint? That’s nearly an armful...What’s the bleeding time? Ten past, sir... ooh matron!” Need I go on?
But titter ye not, as the reality is that going into hospital for an operation can be worrying. So, with the help of Ann Marjoram, a Pre-operative Senior Sister at Leeds General Infirmary, here’s a light-hearted mini-guide to prepare you for the experience.
Before the operation
If you are going into hospital for elective surgery (see jargon-buster), some weeks before your operation you will be given a pre-operative (pre-op) assessment at the hospital. Are you fit enough for the operation? What medication are you taking?
At this stage you will find out what to expect: How long will the op take? When can you go home? Should you carry on taking your medication? What kind of anaesthetic will you be given? What’s for lunch on a Tuesday? That sort of thing.
If this is all too much to take in, worry not for a leaflet should answer all of these questions (except perhaps the catering one).
Ann says: “Pre-assessing patients before their surgery allows us to give the patient an understanding of what their surgery involves and what their hospital stay will be like. It also allows the patient to ask any questions and talk about any concerns. Our aim is to make sure the patients approach their surgery prepared both from a medical and an emotional point of view.”
Coming into hospital for the operation
The next time you visit hospital will be for the op – except if anything has changed since the pre-op – in which case your GP will have sent you for a new pre-op assessment.
Now what happens?
- You are admitted (don’t forget to bring your medication)
- A nurse explains what will happen
- A doctor explains the operation again and performs any tests
- An anaesthetist visits and may give you a pre-med (see jargon-buster) – you will already have been advised when to stop eating
- You are taken to the theatre
(But don’t worry you won’t have to sit through The Sound of Music).
What to take into the hospital
As well as the obvious – clothes, medication and reading material – it’s a good idea to bring in your own toiletries, including an anti-bacterial handwash, soap, a flannel and your own razors. This will reduce the chances of contracting a hospital-acquired infection such as MRSA. Other tips on avoiding infection include keeping your bed area free from clutter so it can be cleaned properly, always wearing slippers and reporting any examples of lack of cleanliness you see to the ward sister.
After that you’re laughing, as they say... except perhaps it only hurts when you laugh...
