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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) – It’s likely that everyone will have some type of surgical procedure at some point in their life. As intimidating as it might be, there are some steps you can take to help ensure a successful procedure and recovery.
“Patients need to be proactive about surgery,” says Alecia Cooper, RN, CNOR and vice president of clinical services at Medline Industries, Inc. “You can’t just assume the doctors do it all. People should never be embarrassed to ask questions before and after their surgery.”
Steps for a Successful Surgery
* Research your surgeon before you schedule your surgery. Consider any recommendations and choose a doctor who specializes in your particular procedure. Inquire about their infection rate. There are Web sites such as healthgrades.com where you can learn more about particular hospitals, doctors and nursing homes.
* Follow the doctor’s recommendations prior to surgery. Generally, if you smoke, you should quit several weeks prior. Quitting smoking will help your lungs be in better shape for the procedure. Most doctors will request you arrive for surgery with an empty stomach, asking you not to eat eight hours prior to the procedure.
* Meet with your doctor prior to surgery and always ask questions. Doctors should be able to answer any questions you might have about surgical preparation, the actual procedure and your recovery. Don’t ever be afraid to ask a question, no matter how small or embarrassing it might be.
* On the day of the surgery, wear loose-fitting clothing. The length of stay in the hospital will dictate what clothes you will need, but generally pack for comfort and make sure your clothes are loose enough to accommodate any bandages.
* Ask the hospital staff to clean their hands. This might seem like common practice, but it is one of the most influential things staff can do to prevent infection in your body. It’s okay to politely ask if they will wash their hands in front of you so you can see that it has been done.
Sterillium Rub manufactured by BODE-Chemie and distributed by Medline, is a surgical hand scrub used in the operating room. It has a unique formulation containing a single active ingredient (80 percent ethyl alcohol), which effectively kills bacteria while protecting and moisturizing skin. Sterillium Comfort Gel, also manufactured by BODE and distributed by Medline, can be used for hand hygiene throughout a medical facility. It contains 85 percent ethanol-alcohol to greatly reduce bacteria and help reduce the likelihood that bacteria becomes a threat to you. Both Sterillium products are designed to be gentle on the care givers hands to encourage their frequent use. Frequent and proper use of these, and similar products make it safer to be a patient.
* Ask the staff to clean the tools they will be using on you. For example, ask the doctor to clean the stethoscope, in particular the flat surface that they put on your body to hear your heart. Bacteria can grow on this frequently used tool.
* Shaving the surgical site can leave small nicks that are susceptible to infection. If needed, a better choice to remove hair is with clippers instead of a razor.
Medline’s MediClip surgical clippers have several key features that enable safe clipping, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for surgical hair removal. The exclusive ergonomic design means greater comfort for the user and the patient. MediClip can be used with the wrist in a neutral position that helps avoid skin-to-blade contact.
* Depending on the type of surgery, some type of anesthetic will be used. Ask your doctor about the process and what to expect after the surgery.
* Post surgery, you will be put in a recovery room where nurses will monitor you as the anesthesia wears off. During this time, the doctor will meet with your family and friends to update them on your condition. Family and friends should feel comfortable to ask questions regarding how the surgery went and what they can expect as you recover. They should also feel comfortable asking hospital staff to clean their hands prior to coming in contact with you. In fact, because they are coming in from the outside, it is wise for them to disinfect their hands as well.
* After you reach a stable level you will be discharged and become an outpatient. Follow your doctor’s instructions for your recovery and if something unexpected comes up, call your nurse or doctor immediately. It’s important to follow prescription and diet instructions in order to ensure a positive recovery.
“Taking the right steps when having a surgical procedure can make a seemingly negative experience a positive one, where the patient feels confident, comfortable and recovers nicely,” adds Cooper.
For more information visit www.medline.com.
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