Today I went to St. Francis here in Greenville, SC for my pre-op for next Tuesday's surgery. Thought this might help those new to surgery, as this subject was recently discussed on HW.
Even though there were but 6 of us in the waiting area, it took 2 full hours this time from start to finish. Mine actually started yesterday by phone, the finance side was discussed and insurance info was traded. Today, met briefly with the Finance person, being that this is my 5th surgrery at the same hospital in 15 months, it was pretty routine.
Next, I was assigned to an accessment nurse. She was real nice. Went through a long check list of potential existing medical conditions that could complicate surgery. Since I had a fairly recent heart scan, they did not re-do it. Blood pressure, temp, and oxygen level in my body was monitored. Had a recent chest x-ray, so that also didn't need repeating.
We moved on to all the meds I was on, and got all that updated. We went over what the doctor was intending on doing, and discussed the complications and risks associated with it. I then signed a variety of documents.
The anithesiologist came in next, we knew each other by sight now (geez, been there too many times). He gave me a quick going over , listening to my heart and breathing. Put me through a barage of questions, including family medical history, currents meds, etc. Once satisfied I was sound for surgery, he told me that he was going to put me into a deep sleep, with the incubator in the throat (not always done for day surgeries).
The nurse discussed the possibility of spending a night there, told her I had no problem with that.
Then they needed urine, so since I have been on a long-term cath, I had to give one sample from the leg bag - which I told her would obviously be contaminated, and then I had to disconnect the leg bag hose to give a sample from the cath itself. No easy feat, as I can't control when fluids enter my bladder and exit, I have no sensation or urge. That took about 15 mins of standing there collecting the sample a few drops at a time, despite drinking two big glasses of cold water prior to this.
Next, was moved to the lab department, where when it was my turn, they took 4 tubes of blood. The lab worker was great, I have had her twice before, and when she sticks you, there isn't even the sensation of a prick, let alone any pain. She hit a good one, as the tubes filled quickly.
Done in exactly two hours, very sore from being poked around. They did decide since this surgery could turn more involved depending on what is found, it will be done in one of the Op rooms at the main hospital, instead of the smaller ones in the Day Surgery Building. I have to guess my surgeon wants to make sure he has everything he needs.
Pre-ops will vary from place to place, but that's the general idea. What saved me time was not needing another heart scan or chest x-ray.
Was treated very well, lots of respect and courtesy. The nurse I was assigned didn't know much about PC, so it gave a natural setting to share some of the basics with her. Might help her with the next PC patient to come along her way.
David in SC