Download Information on what will occur during your stay in hospital

Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic
For Information Call
(613) 721-2000 ext. 2920
Between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Mondays to Fridays except Holidays
Your safety and complete recovery is our priority following your surgery.
For this reason, we ask you to follow these instructions.
ADMISSION
You will be admitted to the hospital at least one day before your surgery.
Your admission date is: _______________________
Report to the admitting department and bring your HEALTH CARD AND
ALL YOUR MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING INHALERS, CREAMS,
HERBAL PRODUCTS, VITAMINS, EYE DROPS WITH YOU.
You will be told of your time of surgery on admission.
Your date of surgery is: _______________________
Before you come to the hospital on the day of your admission, you may
have your usual meals and medications, unless otherwise instructed.
Before your admission day, if you develop a cold, or other illness or
have an infection, please notify your Surgeon.
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PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
1.
If you are a smoker, refrain from smoking 24 hours
before surgery. Please ask your nurse if you would
like information on nicotine replacement therapy.
2.
Your Surgeon will order any medications you will require while in
hospital. BRING ALL YOUR MEDICATIONS WITH YOU, INCLUDING
EYE DROPS, HERBAL MEDICATION AND VITAMINS. You may be
advised to hold some medications before surgery:
STOP:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3.
At least 7 days before surgery do not wax or shave the surgical area
(to help prevent infection). If your surgical area requires a shave prep,
this usually is done in the operating room.
4.
Do not bring any valuables with you to the hospital (i.e. jewellery, credit
cards, money). WE DO NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ANY LOST OR STOLEN ARTICLES.
5.
Bring only your personal articles that you will need i.e. housecoat,
slippers, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb etc. These items are not
supplied by the hospital.
6.
The Anaesthetist may visit you before your surgery or any other
specialist as seen necessary by your Surgeon.
7.
Your Surgeon may order a laxative, suppository or enema to be given
the day before your surgery to cleanse your bowel.
Instructions:______________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
8.
Your nurse will ask you to shower or bathe prior to surgery. Take care
to wash the area of the body to be operated on well.
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9.
The day of surgery, DO NOT wear make up, nail polish
(fingers and toes), jewelry or cosmetics (creams/lotions).
DO NOT WEAR ANY SCENTED PRODUCTS. This
includes aftershave, cologne, perfume and deodorant.
Many of our staff and patients have experienced severe
reactions to these products.
Remove any bobby pins from hair, all jewelry and body piercings
before surgery.
Contact lenses and dentures will be removed
immediately prior to surgery.
10. To ensure your surgery is not cancelled, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR
SURGERY:
 Do not eat any food
 Do not drink any liquids (including water)
 No candy, gum or lozenges
Eating or drinking can cause you to vomit during
anaesthesia and this can be dangerous.
TO PREPARE FOR YOUR SURGERY, YOUR NURSE WILL:
1.
Do your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and oxygen saturation
level.
2.
You will be asked to get into a hospital gown.
3.
Your nurse will check to ensure your consent, and preparation for
surgery has been completed.
4.
If you have allergies make sure your nurse is aware as you must have
an allergy band put on with your name band.
5.
Your nurse may start an I.V. and give you I.V.
antibiotics before surgery. The I.V. that the nurse
has started allows the anaesthetist to give you
some medication in the tubing in the Operating
Room to put you to sleep.
6.
A porter will take you to the Operating Room by stretcher or bed.
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AFTER SURGERY (Post-Operative)
1.
After your surgery you will go to the Recovery Room for monitoring
about 30 minutes or longer.
2.
The Nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse and operative site
frequently. The nurse will change or reinforce your dressings as
necessary.
3.
You may have an oxygen mask on for a short time.
4.
If you have any drains, tubes or a catheter, your nurse will check these
frequently.
5.
If you have pain or feel sick let your nurse know. You can be
medicated for this. You may have a Patient Controlled Analgesic
pump. This allows you to participate in your own pain management.
SEE INFORMATION RE: PAIN PUMP AT BACK OF BOOKLET.
6.
To enable the nurse to rate your pain, you will be asked to rate your
pain on a scale from 0 – 10. 0 is no pain and 10 is the worse pain you
have ever had. SEE INFORMATION RE: PAIN SCALE AT THE BACK
OF BOOKLET. We recommend you take your pain medication as
needed so you can get up and move as instructed by your Surgeon.
7.
You will be drowsy after surgery, but as you are able, you will be
encouraged to do deep breathing, coughing and leg exercises to help
prevent complications.
a) Leg Exercises
 Point your toes towards your head, then towards the foot of the
bed.
 Make your feet go around in circles 5 times.
This is done 4-5 times a day until you are walking.
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b) Deep Breathing and Coughing Exercises
 Take a deep breath in through your nose and blow out through
your mouth. Repeat this 3 times. On the third breath, cough 2 to
3 times.
This is done every 2 hours for the first day and then every 4
hours for the next 1 to 2 days.
8.
After recovery, you will be transferred to your room. Your family will
be able to visit you after you are admitted to your room. They can
bring in extra personal toiletries and clothing at this time. All
patients and their families are asked to adhere to the visiting hours and
limit two (2) visitors at a time – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8
p.m.
Please limit visits from young children to immediate family only.
If you have sleep apnea you are asked to bring in your CPAP machine and
equipment the day of surgery. See information on Sleep Apnea at the end
of this information package.
DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL
Discharge time is 10:00 hours. You
must make your arrangements for
your drive home before you are
admitted to the Hospital.
On discharge you will be given your prescriptions, instructions regarding
your wound care, activity level, diet and follow-up visits with your Surgeon.
Supplies needed on discharge






Sterile 4” x 4” gauze pads
Roll of surgical tape
Sanitary pads
Bandaids
_____________________________
_____________________________
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Important Numbers:
Queensway Carleton Hospital
(613) 721-2000
Telehealth Ontario
1-866-797-0000
Emergency Medical Assistance
911
Your Surgeon’s Office Number
_______________________
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Worst
Possible
Pain
Very severe
pain
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What is a pain scale?
A pain scale is a tool to measure how much
pain you are having. Your Nurse will use the
Pain scale to measure your pain.
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PAIN SCALE
Severe
Pain
Moderate
Pain
Mild
Pain
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How does the pain scale work?
Your Nurse will ask you to rate your pain on
A scale from 0 to 10; with 0 being no pain
And 10 being the most severe pain you
can imagine.
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3
4
5
6
Why do we measure your pain?
We measure your pain frequently after
your surgery so that we can be sure
your pain medication is working.
0
No
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Pain
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Pain control is very important to your quick and speedy recovery. If you
have a spinal anaesthetic, your Anaesthesiologist may decide to use a long
acting pain medication. This medication is given during your surgery and
can provide pain relief for up to 24 hours. If you receive this medication,
your oxygen level and respiratory rate will be monitored for the first 24
hours.
Patient Controlled Analgesia (P.C.A.) may be used with the long acting
pain medication. The P.C.A. pump allows you to participate in your own
pain management.
The pain medication is delivered through a special
pump that is connected to your intravenous and is controlled by a button
that looks like a call bell. When you start to feel some discomfort, you
simply push a button and receive a small dose of medication.
This
medication will start to work in just a few minutes. The P.C.A. will be
discontinued on the second day after your surgery. Once the P.C.A. is
discontinued, you can have pills for pain. If you are uncomfortable, ask
your Nurse for them.
If required, you will be discharged home with a
prescription for medication to manage your pain.
*** It is very important to take your pain medication for the first few
days and be comfortable enough to move about as required.
How long will I be using the P.C.A. pump?
Most patients use the P.C.A. pump for up to 48 hours following surgery.
Just remember that everyone wants you to be as comfortable as possible.
Special things you should know while using the P.C.A. pump:
DO NOT ask or permit family and friends to push the P.C.A. button for you.
It is important that only YOU give yourself the medication when you feel
you need it. The medication will be delivered right away and will start to
work in a few minutes…please be patient, give it time to work.
When it is time for the P.C.A. to be stopped you will be switched to pain
pills. Ask your Nurse for something for pain when you need it.
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PATIENT CONTROLLED ANALGESIA (P.C.A.)
HERE ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT P.C.A.
(Adapted from pamphlet printed by Abbott Laboratories)
When will P.C.A. therapy be started?
The P.C.A. pump will be started in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit and
when you’re fully awake the Nurse will remind you how to use it. The pump
will go to your room with you when you are ready to leave the recovery
area.
How much medication will I receive?
The button may be pushed as often as required in order to make you
comfortable enough so that you will be able to deep breath and move with
minimal discomfort. Continue to give yourself more medication as needed
to maintain this level of comfort once you have reached it.
Can I give myself too much medication?
No. The P.C.A. pump is designed so that you cannot give more medication
than your Doctor thinks is right for you.
What if I start to feel sleepy?
The pain medication you’ll be receiving has that effect on many people. If
you feel sleepy just decrease the number of times you push the P.C.A.
button until you feel more awake again.
What if I become uncomfortable?
If your pain medication seems to stop working, even after pushing the
button several times and giving the medication a few minutes to work, just
call your Nurse to check the I.V. If you are still uncomfortable after the
Nurse has checked the I.V., your Nurse will notify your Doctor and your
dose will be adjusted as required.
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WELCOME TO THE SURGICAL CARE ROOM
(613) 721-2000 Ext. 3902
What is the Surgical Care Unit?
The Surgical Care Unit is a mixed gender four-bed room on the surgical
unit for patients requiring close observation after surgery. You may be
admitted to his unit for one or two days. As you recover from surgery, you
may be discharged home or transferred to another room.
Will my family/friends be allowed to visit?
Yes, your immediate family can visit and you are restricted to a maximum
of two visitors at a time. These visits should be short, ten minutes at a
time; so that you can get the rest you need to recover after your surgery.
Your family can wait in the unit dayroom between short visits if necessary.
What are the Surgical Care Unit visiting hours?
Visiting Hours:
Rest period is:
Visiting Hours:
Rest period is:
Visiting Hours:
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Will I have access to a television or telephone?
Telephone and television are available for a fee; however incoming calls
may be restricted to provide adequate rest required for recovery.
May my family call the Surgical Care Unit?
Yes. Your family may telephone the unit to inquire about your condition.
However, in order to limit telephone calls, it is required that only one family
member calls on behalf of the whole family.
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Patient safety is very important to the Queensway Carleton Hospital and
this information is provided to patients/families to help inform you of your
essential role in your own safety.
The information contained in this booklet is not specific medical advice, nor
a substitute for medical advice. For your safety, it is advised that you
speak with your doctor and healthcare team about your particular health
care needs.
Protect Yourself! Clean your hands frequently and ask your health care
providers and visitors to do the same. Clean Hands Save Lives!
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WELCOME TO THE OBSERVATION SLEEP APNEA ROOM
(613) 721-2000 Ext. 3902
What is the Observation Sleep Apnea Room?
The Observation Sleep Apnea Room is a mixed gender four-bed room on
the surgical unit for patients requiring close observation who are diagnosed
with obstructive sleep apnea or have risk factors for sleep apnea. You may
be admitted to this unit for four to twenty-four hours after your surgery for
continuous oxygen monitoring. As you recover from surgery, you may be
discharged home or transferred to another room.
Note: If you use CPAP please bring all your equipment to the hospital
with you.
Will my family/friends be allowed to visit?
Yes, your family and friends can visit. You are restricted to a maximum of
two visitors at a time. Limit your visiting time to short visits as you need to
rest and recover from your surgery.
Visiting Hours 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Please discuss any special visiting needs with your nurse.
Will I have access to a television or telephone?
Telephone and television are available for a fee; however incoming calls
may be restricted to provide adequate rest required for recovery.
May my family call the Observation Sleep Apnea Room?
Yes. Your family may telephone the unit to inquire about your condition.
However, in order to limit telephone calls, it is required that only one family
member calls on behalf of the whole family.
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Patient safety is very important to the Queensway Carleton Hospital and
this information is provided to patients and their families to help inform you
of your essential role in your own safety.
The information contained in this booklet is not specific medical advice, nor
a substitute for medical advice. For your safety, it is advised that you
speak with your doctor and healthcare team about your particular health
care needs.
Protect yourself! Clean your hands frequently, ask your health care
providers and visitors to do the same. Clean hands save lives!
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