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What to Take to Hospital for Day Surgery

Handy Patient Tips on What Patients Should Bring For Hospital Visit

Sep 11, 2009 Sharon Ketelaar

Be well-informed and prepared for a Day Surgery hospital stay. Avoid potential problems by understanding what to bring to hospital, what is best left at home and why.

Knowing what to take and what not to take to Day Surgery will optimise a patient's safety in hospital and help prevent delays or even cancellation of their surgery. Arrive at the hospital feeling confident that the surgery day will run smoothly by using these handy patient tips and always following any instructions given by the doctor or hospital .

What to Take to Hospital for Day Surgery

X-Rays or Scans that relate to the surgery being done - the operation could be cancelled if the surgeon does not have access to the relevant scans or X-rays.
A list of all the medications the patient takes. If your doctor’s instructions were to stop any medication in preparation for surgery, write down the last date that medication was taken.
A list of any allergies to medications, food, dressings or medical equipment.
Asthmatic patients should bring their puffer or inhaler.
Patients with impaired hearing should wear their hearing aid to hospital so that doctors and nurses can easily communicate with them.
Reading glasses – patients may be asked to read and sign consent documents or other paperwork; also for reading while awaiting surgery.
Names and phone numbers of patient’s Next-of-Kin and the relative or friend who will collect the patient from hospital. It is wise to have several names and contact numbers written down, in case the discharge time is later than expected, or the escort becomes unavailable due to circumstances beyond his/her control. It may be difficult to remember phone numbers while recovering from the effects of anaesthetic drugs used in surgery.
Medicare card and evidence of Health Insurance if applicable.
Spectacles and contact lenses cannot be worn into the theatre area so patients should bring their glasses case or contacts box.
Book or magazine – delays are sometimes unavoidable so reading is a good way to pass the time.
Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing that is easy to remove and put back on. Bring a light jacket as some may find it cool in the air-conditioning.
A brush or comb.

What to Leave at Home

The Car (unless someone else is driving) - Patients should not drive themselves to hospital as it is dangerous and illegal to drive home after surgery. Even if the patient feels fully recovered upon discharge, the anaesthetic drugs given in surgery can affect a driver’s judgment and reaction time for up to 24 hours.
Money or valuable items - staff cannot take responsibility for these items when you are in theatre.
Jewellery and body piercings - these cannot be worn into the theatre area. Patients who don’t wish to remove their wedding ring will have it taped over, likewise for any unremovable jewellery.
Don’t wear makeup or nail polish to hospital - the anaesthetist needs to observe the true colour of your skin and nail beds as part of your safe care during and after the operation. Nail polish may also interfere with the accuracy of oxygen monitoring equipment.
Night wear and toiletry bags are not necessary for Day Surgery.

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The copyright of the article What to Take to Hospital for Day Surgery in General Medicine is owned by Sharon Ketelaar. Permission to republish What to Take to Hospital for Day Surgery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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