Pre op

[cat]

Hi i am having my pre op assessment on friday due to a tightening stricture, as royal mail lost my appointment letter in the post i rang the hospital to a stroppy receptionist who said a letter was sent out weeks ago of which i replied i wouldnt be ringing you if i had had it. Anyway i now dont know what to take with me or what to expect and really do not want to ring back so any feedback would be gratefully recieved.

 

[Keona]

I would call and complain. If the mail lost your appointment letter, its not your fault or the receptionists'. Maybe she was having a bad day.
In Canada, I had to bring a list of all my medications (exactly as bottle says...including herbal supplements). I also had to fill out forms and take with me. Thats about it ..they test your heart, do blood and urine tests, speak to the anesthes... you know...lol... and they did a general review of my surgery.

not sure if it is different in the UK.

 

[Mark63]

Hi Cat,

You don't normally have to take anything for pre-assessment. Depending on what they have on their check list for the procedure is will be a long list of questions, weight, height, bloods, urine and maybe a nasal swab for MRSA. They will probably only do an ECG/X-ray if its a major procedure and/or you are considered to be high risk. It's a good idea to take a list of your current meds if you have trouble remembering them.

Keona,

This sort of response from a receptionist/secretary in these places is kind of a tradition in the UK. I think its part of the job description?

Mark

 

[Guest]

hi Cat.. i hear you on the lost hospital letter thing! i got kicked off one of the hospital clinic's patient list because i "non-attended" - i would've attended if i'd received the letter

i agree with what's been said about your pre-op, especially about taking your meds list with you - and a list of allergies you have, if you tend to forget any of them.

 

[beth]

Not sure how it came about but my local hospital sends me text reminders to my mobile a couple of weeks before appointments now. Very useful, if slightly annoying when you do know/remember.

 

[DustyKat]

Matt has his pre op next Tuesday and we had forms to fill out primarily relating to allergies, current meds (including OTC and supplements) and an extensive yes/no about any other medical conditions you have. He also has to take bring a health summary from his GP including any specialists letters and any X rays/scans that may be related to the surgery being done.

Dusty.

 

[cat]

Not sure how it came about but my local hospital sends me text reminders to my mobile a couple of weeks before appointments now. Very useful, if slightly annoying when you do know/remember.

Hi yes my local hospital does that which is great but the main one in the city that im going wont.

 

[cat]

Thanks everyone for taking your time to reply, all very helpfull i seem to find more out on here than i do from consultants.

 

[sugarbunny891]

hi cat,

i had my pre op yesterday, i am in for surgery on the 6th April - a week today! They jus took a couple of swaps for mrsa, up the nose and in the groin! they took my blook pressure, then some blood, recorded my height and weight and went through wha to bring. its also a chance to ask the nurses any questions, i also got to bring home 8 cartoons of preop lemon drink the day before and night hope this helps ss good luck