1. Gather the patient's medical history, including any medications they are taking and previous surgeries:
This is an essential step in determining the best possible care for a patient undergoing surgery. Medical history should include any allergies or sensitivities that may affect the surgery or post-operative care as well as current medications being taken by the patient. Additionally, it is important to know the patient’s previous surgical history so that potential risks can be assessed and managed accordingly.
2. Check the Laboratory values to know that the necessary tests have been done according to protocol:
Before any surgery, it is essential to ensure that all necessary laboratory tests have been completed according to protocol and results are available for review. This helps in determining whether or not a patient is at risk of developing any complications during or after surgery.
3. Evaluate the Patient’s vital signs and record them in a chart/sheet for observation purposes:
A critical part of pre-operative care is to evaluate the patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature etc.) and record them for observation during and after surgery. This helps to ensure that the patient’s health status is being monitored closely and any changes can be identified quickly.
4. Discuss with Patient about allergies or sensitivities that may affect their surgery or post-operative care:
It is important to have a discussion with the patient regarding any allergies or sensitivities they may have which could impact their surgery or post-operative care. This information should be shared with all members of the surgical team so that appropriate precautions can be taken prior to, during, and after the procedure.
5. Prepare a list of questions regarding pre-op instructions by consulting physician:
In order to ensure that the patient is fully prepared for their surgery, it is important to compile a list of questions that may arise during the pre-operative consultation and instruction session. This will help to ensure that all pertinent information has been discussed and any potential risks have been addressed prior to the procedure.
6. Clean, shave, prep and drape patient before surgery:
Before any surgical procedure it is necessary to properly clean, shave, prep and drape the patient in order to reduce the risk of infection or contamination during the operation. Additionally, this helps to maintain a sterile environment for both the patient and surgical team throughout the procedure.
7. Administer sedatives as prescribed prior to incision is made:
In some cases, it may be necessary to administer sedatives prior to making incision in order for the patient to remain relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. This helps reduce anxiety levels as well as minimize any pain or discomfort caused by the surgery.
8. Secure IV lines, Foley catheter etc., if applicable:
Depending on the type of surgery being performed, it may be necessary to secure certain lines or catheters prior to beginning the operation. This helps ensure that they remain in place throughout the procedure and any changes in vital signs can be monitored closely.
9. Administer antibiotics as prescribed:
In order to reduce the risk of infection during and after surgery, it is important to administer antibiotics according to protocol. This should be done prior to beginning the procedure in order to allow enough time for them to take effect before incision is made.
10. Monitor vital signs during surgery regularly & make sure it remains within normal rang:
The patient’s vital signs should be monitored regularly throughout the duration of the procedure and any deviations from normal should be addressed immediately. This helps to ensure that their health status is maintained and any potential risks are minimized.
11. Educate patient on post-operative care and ensure they understand all instructions prior to leaving the hospital:
Once the surgery is completed, it is important that the patient is provided with all necessary information regarding their post-operative care. This includes instructions for wound care, medications and any other pertinent information that may be relevant to their recovery. It is important to ensure that the patient understands all of this prior to leaving the hospital.
12. Establish a plan of action in case of any emergency during surgery:
Having an established plan of action in case of any medical emergency during surgery is essential in order to ensure the safety of both the patient and surgical team. This includes having access to the appropriate medical personnel and equipment needed to address any unforeseen issues that may arise.
13. Document everything regarding pre & post op, giving special emphasis to vital signs monitoring:
As with any surgical procedure, it is important to document everything that occurred pre and post operatively. This includes the patient’s vital signs as well as any questions or concerns that were discussed between the patient and surgeon prior to beginning the operation. Documentation helps to ensure that all pertinent information has been properly recorded for future reference.
14. Follow up with patient after the procedure to make sure they are recovering properly:
Following up with the patient after the surgery is important in order to ensure that they are recovering properly and any issues or concerns can be addressed accordingly. This helps reduce the risk of any complications arising from the procedure and also allows for a more complete assessment of their overall health status.
15. Discharge patient only after successful recovery of vital signs and ability to perform activities of daily living independently:
Prior to discharging the patient from the hospital, it is important to ensure that their vital signs have returned to normal and they are able to perform activities of daily living on their own. This helps to reduce the risk of any complications arising from surgery and allows for a smoother transition back into their everyday life.