WHAT IS PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT? Information Leaflet

WHAT IS PRE-OPERATIVE
ASSESSMENT?
Information Leaflet
Your Health. Our Priority.
www.stockport.nhs.uk
Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital
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What is pre-operative assessment?
Pre-operative assessment is a clinic that you visit for a ‘health check’ before your operation.
You may be asked to attend pre-operative assessment immediately after you have been listed
for surgery or alternatively you may wish to make a more convenient appointment. Please
speak to the receptionist on arrival at Magnolia Suite.
How long is the appointment?
Your assessment may take from half an hour up to 3 hours, dependent upon what type of
surgery you are having and dependent upon any investigations that may need to be carried out
during your assessment.
What happens during the appointment?
You will see a qualified nurse, who will check your medical history and order any appropriate
investigations to ensure you are as fit as possible prior to your operation. You will be asked a lot
of different questions about your health and any health problems you may have.
You should inform the nurse of any current medication you are taking, preferably by bringing in
a repeat prescription list from your doctor.
Your blood pressure and pulse will be checked and blood and urine samples may be taken.
You may also have other tests for example, an x-ray or ECG (heart tracing). This will depend
on your health and the type of operation you need. A nurse will also listen to your heart and
lungs.
What information will I be given?
The nurse will explain what will happen when you come into hospital for your operation. At your
assessment, plans will be made for your admission to one of our day case facilities or an inpatient ward. The nurse will explain which is appropriate for you and for how long you can
expect to stay in hospital.
You will be asked about any plans you have made for when you go home. You will also have a
chance to discuss with the nurse if you think you will have problems.
You may be asked to complete certain questionnaires; please complete these and hand them in
to reception before you leave the department.
It is important that you understand your operation and what will happen to you in hospital.
Please ask for more information if you need it and make sure all your questions have been
answered.
www.stockport.nhs.uk
Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital
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Waiting for surgery
Following your pre-op assessment if you are fit, ready and able to come in (as per Patient
Access Policy) you will be placed on a waiting list for surgery.
If for any reason you are not able to attend for your operation in the near future you must inform
the pre-operative assessment nurse. Very occasionally you will be given a date for surgery
before leaving hospital, where this is not possible you will be contacted by a waiting list officer in
due course. Please do not contact the pre-op team regarding your date for surgery.
For Your Information
Your Consultant is: ……………………………………………………………………………
Your Hospital Number is: ………………………………………………………………….
You may be asked for this information when you call.
If
 you move house or change telephone number
 you are unavailable for surgery at any time, e.g. holidays.
 you decide you no longer wish to go ahead with surgery.
 you have any queries regarding the date of your operation.
You must contact your waiting list officer.
Your waiting list officer is: …………………………………………………………………
And they can be contacted on: …………………………………………………………
If
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you are admitted to hospital for any reason
you have to see your GP with a new problem
you change doses of any of your medication
you start any new medication
your symptoms change or resolve
you have any queries about your surgery
you suffer from a cough, cold or any other type of minor illness or infection in the 2 weeks
prior to your admission.
You must contact your named pre-admission nurse.
Help to stop smoking before your operation?
If you smoke and would like to help to stop before your operation please speak to your GP or
Practice Nurse, or call Quitline, the National telephone helpline for smokers who need advice or
help to stop on 0800 002200.
www.stockport.nhs.uk
Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital
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Contact Us
To contact the Preoperative Assessment Team, contact 0161 419 5684 or 0161 419 4239, and
ask for your named nurse.
Your named nurse is: ……………………………………………………………………….
If you do not let us know about any of these things, your surgery could be delayed or
cancelled.
www.stockport.nhs.uk
Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital
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If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on
audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact:
Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: 0161 419
56Information Leaflet8. Email: [email protected].
Our smoke free policy
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free
NHS Premises' to find out more.
Leaflet number
Publication date
Review date
Department
Location
www.stockport.nhs.uk
SUR79
April 2014
April 2015
Surgical and Critical Care
Stepping Hill Hospital
Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital