Pre-Op Clinic & Blood Conservation Program
Pre-Op Clinic
Many patients requiring elective (planned) surgery will be scheduled to visit the Pre-operative Assessment Clinic prior to their date of surgery.
- The surgeon's office will schedule a 40-minute appointment in the Pre-operative Clinic.
- Each patient will meet with a nurse who will provide him or her with information about what to expect during his or her hospitalization.
- The nurse will ensures that all the required tests - blood and X-rays - are done and the appropriate paper work is completed.
- Some patients will also be scheduled to see a doctor, an Anesthesiologist who will ensure that any potential health problems have been identified.
- Patients are asked to bring in any paperwork given to them by the surgeon.
- Please fill in the pre-operative questionnaire before coming to your appointment.
- Many patients will have blood work, ECG's or X-rays ordered pre-operatively. Please stop at the laboratory and the X-ray department on your way to your appointment. Please allow approximately one hour to complete X-rays and lab work.
- Patients are asked to bring in all of the medications they are presently taking - they must be in their original containers.
- Hip and Knee Replacement Class - PRE-HAB
- Patients who will be having hip or knee replacement surgery are expected to attend a special class in addition to their Surgical Assessment appointment with a Nurse.
- A physiotherapist, an Occupational Therapist and a Home Care Nurse, present the class.
- Plan to spend the whole afternoon at the hospital that day. If your appointment with the nurse is in the morning you may want to bring a lunch with you or money so you can buy a lunch in the cafeteria.
- The class will help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery after the surgery.
- Classes are held every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, from 1 - 2 PM.
- These patients will also need to have blood work, an ECG and some X-rays completed while at the hospital. Patients are asked to stop at the laboratory and the X-ray department on their way into their appointment with the nurse. Both of these departments are on the first floor. Give the receptionist the paperwork that was completed by your surgeon ordering the required tests.
Hours
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact
Surgical Services Manager
(705) 743-2121
Blood Conservation Program
The Blood Conservation Program has been funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MoHLTC) in 25 hospitals across Ontario with the hope of using blood appropriately and decreasing usage in elective surgeries, while informing patients, enhancing patient care and satisfaction.
Many blood transfusions associated with booked surgeries can be avoided with planning and preparation, if there is enough time before your operation. If you will be having surgery, ask your doctor for a blood test to check your hemoglobin level. Usually the higher your hemoglobin or iron level before surgery the less chance of having a blood transfusion during your hospital stay. Not all surgery results in a transfusion risk so check with your doctor or Blood Conservation Nurse.
It is important to have a pre-operative visit with enough time before surgery to make a difference. This is like topping up your gas tank, allowing your body enough time to build up. Some things that might be suggested are diet changes, Vitamin B12, oral iron, intravenous iron and erythropoietin.
A plan will be developed according to each person’s needs. Most important is to remember to keep your appointments and that the more time before surgery the more difference can be made!
The Blood Conservation Nurse Coordinator is located in the Surgical Services Program. If surgery is in your future and you would like to obtain more information, the coordinator would be happy to provide information and answer your questions.
For aditional information, visit: www.ontracprogram.com
Contact
Blood Conservation Program
705-7432121 ext 3019