OUTPATIENT ANESTHESIA- WHAT DO PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW?
Short-acting anesthetics and specialized anesthesiology techniques, as well as post-intervention care, are focused on the needs of patients who come for ambulatory anesthesia and surgery, for surgery or diagnostic tests to be as safe and comfortable as possible. The team of anesthesiologists at the first private general hospital answers patients’ questions about this anesthesia.
Today, most patients undergoing surgery and diagnostic tests do not need to stay in the hospital overnight after the intervention is completed. In most cases patients are able to go home and recover at home with their loved ones. Outpatient surgery and anesthesia have proven to be very safe and easy, and can be performed in a variety of conditions. It can be performed in a hospital, in a specialized surgical center or in some cases in a surgical ambulatory. In any case, the anesthesia is performed by a special anesthesiologist.
WHAT IS OUTPATIENT ANESTHESIA?
Outpatient anesthesia is designed to allow the patient to go home soon after surgery or diagnostic intervention. Short-acting anesthetics and specialized anesthesiology techniques, as well as post-intervention care, are focused on the needs of patients who come for ambulatory anesthesia and surgery, for surgery or diagnostic tests to be as safe and comfortable as possible. Generally, if the patient is in good condition and in good health he is a reliable candidate for outpatient surgery and anesthesia. Since each patient is a separate individual, the anesthesiologist must carefully evaluate his or her health to make sure that the patient is a candidate for one-day surgery or ambulatory anesthesia. After a brief recovery from anesthesia, patients can safely return home. In most cases, family and friends can provide all the necessary help. Appropriate pain treatment is also included in the plan for home release, prepared by the anesthetist and the surgeon.
WHEN WILL I MEET WITH THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST?
The team of anesthesiologists at “Re-Medika” will help the patient get answers to questions. It is best to consult your anesthesiologist for any information about your health and the following intervention. Your anesthesiologist will interview you on the day before the intervention, and sometimes on the day of the intervention, to gather all the information needed to evaluate your health. Laboratory tests as well as other medical tests can be performed to record your health, all with one goal: greater safety. During the interview you will complete an anesthesiology questionnaire, listing your previous experiences with anesthesia, if any, your health, allergies, medications you regularly use. If you have any concerns, you should tell the anesthesiologist and talk about them.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF ANESTHESIA?
All surgeries, as well as all types of anesthesia, have a certain risk. They depend on many factors, including the type of surgery and the health condition. Fortunately, side effects are very rare, and the anesthesiologist takes all necessary precautions to prevent any incident. When talking to the anesthesiologist you should ask about the risks of anesthesia associated with your surgery or diagnostic test.
IS IT ALLOWED TO EAT AND DRINK?
The general rule is that you should not eat or drink anything until midnight before your surgery or diagnostic test that requires anesthesia. In some cases you may get permission from your anesthesiologist to drink clear liquids for several hours before receiving anesthesia.
ARE THE REGULAR MEDICINES TAKEN?
Some medications should be taken regularly until the day of surgery, and some should be discontinued. It is therefore very important to tell the anesthesiologist about the medications you are taking and he will decide which medicines you can continue taking and which you do not. Do not take any medicine without permission. Certain natural remedies may prolong the effect of anesthesia, and others may increase the risk of bleeding during the intervention or raise blood pressure. Some of these effects on natural remedies may not be very significant, but you should still tell the anesthesiologist about everything you take before your intervention.
SHOULD YOU STOP SMOKING CIGARETTES?
YES – it is very important to stop immediately. Your surgery may be a golden opportunity to do so. There is evidence that those who quit smoking have fewer symptoms of nicotine addiction and greater success in trying to quit. Although sometimes before our intervention or a week before, there are still great benefits to quitting smoking.
CAN I GO HOME BY MYSELF?
The effects of the drugs used in the anesthesia can sometimes stay up to 24 hours before they completely disappear. You also need someone to stay home with you for the first 24 hours after the intervention to help with your care. Some patients feel good and strong just hours after the intervention and think they are capable of normal activities. That’s not true! Be safe!
WHEN WILL I BE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL?
There are protocols and guidelines in “Re-Medika” for when you can go home after the intervention is over. But the most important thing is to get permission from the anesthesiologist. He will see if you are capable of doing some of the normal activities like getting up on your own, going to the toilet, feeling nauseous and vomiting, and so on. Sometimes, though rarely, you have to stay one night in the hospital and this will be arranged for you.
