Operating theatre and day surgery

Transcript

There are lots of reasons why you may need to visit the hospital. Some of you may have had an accident or have been hurt. Some of you may have been feeling sick for a while and need some special medicine to help you feel better. And some of you may need an operation to get your body better. But no matter what the reason, our doctors and nurses are here to help you feel better and get home soon.

If you are coming to have an operation, there are a few things you should know. Before you arrive, make sure you have a good shower and wash your hair.

You also won't be able to eat or drink before your operation. This is called fasting. The nurses will make sure you have all the information you need before you come.

You should also have a good think about what you'd like to bring to hospital. There are the basics, like toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant. But you may also bring some things to keep you entertained, such as books or games. You may also want to bring something comfortable to wear. Joy is going to walk us through what will happen next.

When you arrive at the hospital, you'll first make your way to the surgical admissions desk on level 4. This is where you'll be checked in for your surgery or procedure, and see your nurse or doctor before your operation. First, you'll speak with the reception staff, who will prepare your admission paperwork for your carer to fill out.

Make sure you have your appointment letter with you. Once you're checked in, the next stop is the surgical admissions lounge, where the staff will call your name when they're ready for you.

Once you're waiting in the surgical admissions lounge, you can get changed into something comfortable, like your pyjamas. Here, lots of special people will come to meet you to make sure everything's in place for your procedure. The good news is that when you're here for your procedure, you can have one parent or carer stay with you the whole time until you get into the operating theatre.

A nurse will come to see you to ensure you are healthy. for your procedure. They'll want to learn more about you and check things like your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. Don't worry, none of these things hurt at all. The next person that will see you is the anaesthetist. That's a big word.

But this person will help you go to sleep in the operating theatre. So you don't feel a thing when you're going through your procedure. Your doctor will most likely come and see you as well to check that everything is in order before your surgery or procedure and to answer any questions that you may have.

Sometimes you may have to wait a while before going into theatre, but the waiting room is filled with lots of things to keep you entertained while you wait. The Children's Hospital Foundation volunteers are also there to have fun with you. When it's time to go into the theatre, the staff will move you and one parent or carer to another room, which is called the holding bay.

There will also be Children's Hospital Foundation volunteers here to stay with your carer and help make this part of the process as easy as possible. You may wait here for a short amount of time, while a few final checks are done to make sure everything is safe for you. Here, your parent or carer will also put on some theatre clothes, so they can come with you in the operating room until you go to sleep.

Then it's time to make your way into the operating theatre. It won't take you long to realise that the operating room is full of lots of lights. Special machines that do a lot of beefing and people dressed in very clean clothes called scrubs. These are your nurses and surgeon who will stay by your side to look after you and keep you safe.

You'll climb onto the bed and your anesthetist will give you some sleepy gas through a mask so you don't feel a thing during your operation.

Soon after you're awake and in recovery, your parental carer will be able to come and see you. It's really important that you get plenty of rest and the right care after your surgery or procedure. You'll be taken by a nurse to your ward. where you can have something to eat and drink. If you're going to be in hospital just for the day or staying one night, this is where you'll be.

There will be other patients beside you and there will always be nurses to help if you need anything. As soon as you're ready to go home, the doctor or nurse will let your carer or parent know. If you have any other questions, remember you can find more information on our website, www.childrens.Org.

health.qld.gov au or call us on (07) 3068 1111.