Hospital day surgery....what to do?

MrsAtobe

Going against the flow here, but I have had similar warnings from hospitals about procedures, told the staff that whoever is picking me up outside, gone home and gone to bed. I've then jumped in a taxi and got myself home and gone to bed.

The last time I had an op with a general, the staff couldn't have cared less, in fact the only person who did show me any care was the gentleman who brought me tea and toast not long after I'd got out of theatre. I was stuck in a room directly opposite where they parked the lunchtime trolley, by the time they offered me lunch I would have happily thrown up rather than eat something I'd smelled for the last three hours. I phoned my OH, told him to get me home asap, managed to get home and then threw up. No-one listened to me when I said I have Inflammatory Bowel Disease, I don't fit your criteria, I can go without food for far longer than you believe possible, if you try to make me eat before my tummy says its ready then I will throw up etc etc.

Discharging me with painkillers that would have made me seriously ill had I taken them, when I had told them the painkiller families I could/could not take was the final straw, I complained to PALS about the department.

ska_lover

I had a bad experience, I was told to get someone to collect me, but no one was available as I lived alone

The hospital just wanted me gone and pushed my wheelchair out to a taxi rank out front and even offered to pay the fare for me. It didn't faze the nurse escorting me that I had to vomit twice while she was pushing me out and couldn't walk. Journey home was a nightmare, poor taxi driver spent more time at the side of the road than driving and carried me in the house. Humiliating experience from start to finish

Hermoine

A friend who lives alone has come to a compromise on a couple of occasions: told hospital that a friend is coming to collect her, and friend has, and made sure she's got home. Then friend has gone back to her own home but has agreed to be at the end of the phone if my friend has needed help.

ANNA

Earlier today I spoke to a nurse in charge of the day surgery unit.
She told me they close the unit at 4.00pm and all patients must leave then.
They don't mind me travelling by cab. She wasn't sure if patients need to be accompanied home (it depends on the type of anesthetic) but said I could be refused the surgery if I had nobody at home overnight.

aridjis

ANNA wrote: »

Earlier today I spoke to a nurse in charge of the day surgery unit.
She told me they close the unit at 4.00pm and all patients must leave then.
They don't mind me travelling by cab. She wasn't sure if patients need to be accompanied home (it depends on the type of anesthetic) but said I could be refused the surgery if I had nobody at home overnight.

They've not got the right to refuse you treatment that you need, although they can ask that you have someone there with you, for safety reasons.

The only problem is, if you have no-one to be with you and you have to go through as an overnight case, rather than day surgery, your op may have more chance of being cancelled, as you'd have to then depend on a bed being available.

RAS

OP

Ask to speak to the consultant or his secretary. They need to know that you cannot have day surgery; it will be an overnight stay.

There are millions of singletons in this country and they will have had to deal with it before.

carlislelass

I had day surgery and was to stay overnight. despite being told by the surgeon...and written on my notes, the admissions nurse was adamant I was to go home.My hubby is disabled and couldn`t have looked after me. By the way, I did stay

PurpleJay

Hi

I am currently recovering from day surgery. I had my gallbladder removed on Monday under GA.

I was told I must have someone with me for 24 hours post op, otherwise I would have to stay in. This meant a different list and longer wait but they were very clear. Hubby and I are having problems so I wasn't sure he would be available. As it is, he has been great. They also said I must not be responsible for children in that time, not use elec appliances etc. your judgment can be off even if you feel ok. They also said I must be accompanied home and not travel by public transport. The person with you does not have to be the same person ie you can stay somewhere or have someone stay overnight and then someone else can take over in the day.

As I can take a bit of coming round from a GA I was first on the list. I was discharged about 4pm. The dept closed at 8pm but when I left there weren't many others left.

As others have said, you need to speak to the secretary and explain the situation. Is there somewhere you could stay perhaps if you don't have someone to come to you? By morning you are likely to be almost 24 hours post op anyway the main concern is overnight. If not, you must tell the hospital so that they can arrange to keep you in. If you get some muppet on the phone who is dismissive, speak to someone more senior. If you don't have someone to help, you won't be the only one. They will have to make arrangements, you don't want to get there on the day to be told its a problem and they cant do it, and please don't tell fibs, your health is important. Most people are fine but clearly there is a reason for the precaution x

j.e.j.

Good luck with your op, OP. If you're likely to be feeling woozy/sedated then try and get someone to be there with you if you can. Otherwise it'll be a long wait (if the operation's not classed as urgent?) if you have to book to go in overnight. As I found out!!!

ANNA

Thanks to everyone who replied.
I have now had my op at the day unit.
As my trolley was wheeled out of theatre I was met by a nurse who said:
Get dressed! The unit is closing! I'll get your meds.Phone the person who is collecting you.

I was put in a wheelchair by the exit doors. The nurses left on the dot. I called a minicab and the last member of staff wheeled me out to the cab.

I've been ok at home.