GENERAL INFORMATION:
Pre-Operative visit and Premedication
All patients undergoing surgery should be seen by the Anaesthesiologist prior to surgery. During the pre-operative visit the Anaesthesiologist will take your medical history. This will normally include previous anaesthetics and any complications and side effects, your current and past medication and any relevant medical history. If you are taking any medication whatsoever, please bring a list of these drugs with you to the hospital. There are literally thousands of "little blue blood pressure pills" and it is vitally important for the Anaesthesiologist to know exactly what you are taking. Also remember that "herbal" or "natural" medications can have an effect on your anaesthetic and these should also be mentioned to the Anaesthesiologist. Alcohol and tobacco use are also important factors. Your Anaesthesiologist will not judge you if you drink or smoke (or use "recreational drugs"), but it is extremely important for him or her to know about these in order to administer a safe and appropriate anaesthetic.
Following the history, the Anaesthesiologist will examine you. In healthy patients, this process may only take a few minutes. However, in medically complicated cases presenting for major surgery this may take longer and include further tests. The next time you see your Anaesthesiologist, you will be in theatre. So now is the time to ask any questions you may have. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!
Ideally, we would like to see all our patients in the ward before they go to theatre. However, please bear in mind that for a theatre list starting at 7.30 in the morning, the Anaesthesiologist needs to be in the theatre by 7.00 to prepare the equipment and do a whole series of safety checks. Once the list has started, the Anaesthesiologist is unable to leave the theatre as he / she is constantly monitoring other patients. If you have a late admission to the ward, you will only be seen by the Anaesthesiologist once you are transported to the theatre. Patients often find it frustrating to be admitted to the ward at 6 o'clock in the morning if they are only due for surgery much later in the day. Please bear in mind that this is done for your own safety.
Finally, in some patients, a "pre-med" is prescribed. This is normally a drug that calms the patient and reduces anxiety. For young healthy patients undergoing short procedures on a day-patient basis, this is often omitted as patients are usually eager to be discharged as soon as possible. If, however, you are at all anxious about your surgery, please ask your Anaesthesiologist to prescribe a pre-med. It is important to remember that these drugs take about 90 minutes to take effect and can only be prescribed if the Anaesthesiologist has seen you in the ward. So the bottom line ….. get admitted as early as possible if you require a pre-med.
Following the history, the Anaesthesiologist will examine you. In healthy patients, this process may only take a few minutes. However, in medically complicated cases presenting for major surgery this may take longer and include further tests. The next time you see your Anaesthesiologist, you will be in theatre. So now is the time to ask any questions you may have. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!
Ideally, we would like to see all our patients in the ward before they go to theatre. However, please bear in mind that for a theatre list starting at 7.30 in the morning, the Anaesthesiologist needs to be in the theatre by 7.00 to prepare the equipment and do a whole series of safety checks. Once the list has started, the Anaesthesiologist is unable to leave the theatre as he / she is constantly monitoring other patients. If you have a late admission to the ward, you will only be seen by the Anaesthesiologist once you are transported to the theatre. Patients often find it frustrating to be admitted to the ward at 6 o'clock in the morning if they are only due for surgery much later in the day. Please bear in mind that this is done for your own safety.
Finally, in some patients, a "pre-med" is prescribed. This is normally a drug that calms the patient and reduces anxiety. For young healthy patients undergoing short procedures on a day-patient basis, this is often omitted as patients are usually eager to be discharged as soon as possible. If, however, you are at all anxious about your surgery, please ask your Anaesthesiologist to prescribe a pre-med. It is important to remember that these drugs take about 90 minutes to take effect and can only be prescribed if the Anaesthesiologist has seen you in the ward. So the bottom line ….. get admitted as early as possible if you require a pre-med.
This information was reproduced from the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) website Patient Corner page with permission from the webmaster (http://www.sasaweb.com)