A patient’s guide to surgery Chapter 2: The Day of Surgery
This document was written by Ms. Susana Gabriel Garcia, who has been working as a Nurse at Operating Room Unit, Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
On the day of surgery, the patient needs to fast at least 6 hours before surgery, and completely follow instructions such as stopping medication, preparing medical documents, etc.
Part III: The day of surgery
1. Fasting
Fasting is usually necessary starting about six hours before your surgery. You may be able to drink clear fluids until 2 hours prior. Do not smoke. A sip of water to swallow pills as indicated by your doctor is permitted.
Why fast before surgery?
Fasting prevents aspiration, the act of breathing in vomit. It can be very dangerous. Our body has very efficient mechanisms to prevent aspiration, but they don’t work when you are unconscious. This is why it’s important to follow instructions given by your anesthesiologists before anesthesia.
If you have eaten recently, and urgent surgery is required, your anesthesiologist will take special measures to reduce the risk of aspiration. Even if you will undergo regional anesthesia (see the “Anesthesia section on the next page) comply with the fasting directives given by the anesthesiologist since it is still possible that general anesthesia will be required.
2. Medication
Do not take any medication unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Some patients may be permitted to take certain medication with sip of water on the day of the surgery.
Part IV: Admission
If you already have an appointment, you can go directly to the Surgical Department. A nurse will assist you in the admission process. If you don’t have a scheduled appointment, go to the hospital Clinic for checkup and scheduling.
What do you need to bring?
- Vingroup Card, Identification card or passport.
- Insurance form if required. National insurance card or private insurance card (if any) (Must be shown within 24 hours after hospitalization).
- Have a copy of your laboratory and imaging results
- Case for your eyeglasses, container for your dental prosthesis or hearing aid if possible.
- Hobbies: iPod, material to read, child’s favorite toy, etc.
Note: All medications that you take at home, must be checked by doctor in Vinmec Hospital.
Part V: The care unit
You will be directed to the surgery department; a nurse will greet you, and prepare you for surgery by asking some questions. After taking your blood pressure, pulse, rate of respiration and temperature, the nurse will make sure that all information required has been in your medical record.
Before going to the operating room, the nurse will verify your identity, and ask you to remove your dental prosthesis and hearing aid, if needed. The nurse will also remind you to use the bathroom before surgery. You will then put a hospital gown and then will accompany you to the operating room.
Part VI: The operating room
A family member may accompany you until the entrance of the operating room, if you wish. If the patient is pediatric a mother or a father may accompany you to verify all the information inside the receiving bay.
A nurse from the operating room will once again verify your identity and your medical record. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask them.
Once in the operating room, you will be helped to move from the stretcher to the operating table. The operating room is kept at a cool temperature, is equipped with several surgical instruments and special lighting.
Usually the people present are your surgeon, an assistant if necessary, an anesthesiologist, nurses, as well as one or more staff. You may be sedated when your surgeon arrives.
All your vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, Oxygenation, and respiratory rate will be monitored throughout the operation. A member of the anesthesia team will set up an IV to keep you hydrated and administer medication. A pulse oxymeter will be placed on your finger to measure the oxygen concentration in your blood.
Part VII: Anesthesia
You will need anesthesia for your surgery.
Anesthesia is administered by a physician who is specialized in that field. The anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthesia that is most appropriate for you, based on your preference, health condition, your age and the type of surgery you are undergoing.
There are three basic types of anesthesia
General anesthesia
- It is suitable for most surgeries. It is characterized by the total loss of consciousness, movement and pain.
Regional anesthesia
- Epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, intravenous block of the upper and lower limbs are the types of regional anesthesia. It is characterized by anesthesia of only a part of the body (arm, legs) and the patient remains awake.
Local anesthesia
- Local anesthesia is administered by the surgeon or the anesthesiologists. Only the part to be operated on is affected by a local anesthetic injection.
Sedation
- It is administration of a sedative drug to produce a state of calm or sleep. It can be combined with regional or local anesthesia.
The anesthesiologists in Vinmec are performing anesthesia with an assistant, who graduated as a nurse specializing in anesthesia. They are using protocols like in airline companies, where they double check, before and during the administration of anesthesia to prevent any incident.
The target is to maintain “zero preventable incident”
Major complications (convulsions, paralysis, death, etc.) are extremely rare. Following general anesthesia, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, sore throat, muscle pain, etc. Following epidural anesthesia or spinal anesthesia, blood pressure may drop and in 1% of cases, patients may experience headaches in the days following surgery. If you still have questions do not hesitate to address them with your anesthesiologist on the morning of your surgery.
Part VIII: Recovery room
After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room. You will be under constant surveillance. The recovery room team will check your blood pressure, your pulse and your rate of respiration until your condition stabilizes.
You will receive oxygen administered by a mask placed over your mouth on your nose. Your throat may be a little sore.
If you are cold, feel nauseous or are in pain, notify the nurse. He or she will give you warm blankets and medication for your nausea and pain.
Once you have fully awakened, pain controlled and your condition stabilized, the nurse from the recovery room will provide all the information regarding your surgery to your nurse on the surgical unit. Then, you will be transferred to surgical unit, in your bed accompanied by nurse and family member if available.
Returning to your room
The nurse will help you settle comfortably in your hospital bed. He or she will monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, rate of respiration, oxygen saturation level and temperature). He or she will also check your dressing, your IV and all other tube drains.
Visiting hours
- 11h30 - 13h00 and 16h30 - 21h00.
- “Visitor card” should be provided at lobby reception desk on the 1st floor.
For any information, please contact our Hotlines:
- Vinmec Times City International Hospital: (+84) 2439743556
- Vinmec Central Park International Hospital: (+84) 2836221166 or (+84) 2836221188
- Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital: (+84) 2363711111
- Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital: (+84) 2583900168
- Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital: (+84) 2257309888
- Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital: (+84) 2033828188
- Vinmec Phu Quoc International Hospital: (+84) 297398558
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