The pre-admission clinic
To ensure that patients are as well prepared and as fit as possible for surgery, they will attend a pre-assessment clinic. Here at St Mark’s Hospital pre-assessment is usually a few weeks before the operation. Our experience suggests that involving family members or friends can help improve recovery.
The aim of the pre-assessment visit is to ensure we know the relevant facts about the patient’s health and to answer any questions that they may have. This identifies and addresses potential factors that may influence recovery. Pre-assessment is undertaken by the outpatient sister and nurses and when necessary, may involve one of the medical staff. The assessment will include a physical examination, blood tests and swabs for MRSA (methycillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) screening. If patients test positive for MRSA we will usually treat them to remove it but it may not mean that the surgery will need to be postponed. All aspects of the hospital stay, operation and discharge will be explained at pre-assessment. A form that gives consent to surgery will need to be signed either at preassessment or at another time before the operation.
In the days prior to admission it is important to eat a normal diet (unless patients have been advised to the contrary); there is no need to change their diet if it is healthy. If patients have nausea or difficulty eating a normal diet, we suggest that a dietary supplement of high protein, high calorie drinks each day until admission. These drinks can be purchased at the local pharmacy, for example Build-up, Complan or others the GP might be able to prescribe.
It is important to bring in day clothes to wear during the hospital stay. Patients are encourage to wear these from a day or two after surgery, instead of their nightwear or hospital gowns, as this makes them feel more ‘normal’.
Prior to leaving the pre-assessment clinic patients are given a patient information leaflet called ‘the enhanced recovery programme’ to read before being admitted to hospital.
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