What are wards like after surgery?

elsien

leapyear said:

Teapot55 said:

Where I live you have to stick to social distancing etc for two weeks and go out as little as possible, then three days before admission you take a covid test at the hospital then go straight home and self isolate till you go in.

On the day you report straight to theatre admissions (or similar) and after surgery and some time in ‘recovery’ you go to a ‘green’ ward where all the other patients have followed the same regime. You then stay in hospital for the absolute minimum time. 

All staff wear masks at all times and other patients’ beds are a sufficient distance away. Doctors rounds to post-operative patients are done early in the day before the doctors have been anywhere else. 

When relatives etc come to collect you upon discharge they have to wait outside and the porter pushes you to meet them and then follows them and takes you right to the car and makes sure to place your bag of ‘meds’ on your lap where it won’t be mislaid. 

Thank you for the detailed info. I feel more aware and calmer about what to expect. I think I am most concerned about the shared bathroom. My concern about a private room is it won't be as covid secure as the ward - are hospitals in a good enough position to give a private room that is also 'green' and 'clean' as the ward? My family is concerned that if I have a private room, there'll be no one (other patients) to see me if something goes wrong and can call a nurse to help me.

Is this an NHS procedure? Decisions about side rooms are made on the basis of clinical need, level of observation etc. Side rooms may be used to keep people off the main ward pending the outcome of covid tests or a positive result. All rooms are cleaned with the same frequency whether the main ward or a side room. 
All beds have a call bell and if you need regular monitoring then that's what the nurses will do where-ever you are. 

leapyear

Teapot55 said:

A patient often has a catheter at first, or maybe uses a bedpan. The bathrooms have washing facilities including soap and soft paper towels and alcohol-type handwash. I guess you could ask about this in advance to double check. 

I think this would be the case. I'm worried about spit from brushing teeth, splashes from face washing, nose blowing. Am I being too concerned?

leapyear

elsien said:

leapyear said:

Teapot55 said:

Where I live you have to stick to social distancing etc for two weeks and go out as little as possible, then three days before admission you take a covid test at the hospital then go straight home and self isolate till you go in.

On the day you report straight to theatre admissions (or similar) and after surgery and some time in ‘recovery’ you go to a ‘green’ ward where all the other patients have followed the same regime. You then stay in hospital for the absolute minimum time. 

All staff wear masks at all times and other patients’ beds are a sufficient distance away. Doctors rounds to post-operative patients are done early in the day before the doctors have been anywhere else. 

When relatives etc come to collect you upon discharge they have to wait outside and the porter pushes you to meet them and then follows them and takes you right to the car and makes sure to place your bag of ‘meds’ on your lap where it won’t be mislaid. 

Thank you for the detailed info. I feel more aware and calmer about what to expect. I think I am most concerned about the shared bathroom. My concern about a private room is it won't be as covid secure as the ward - are hospitals in a good enough position to give a private room that is also 'green' and 'clean' as the ward? My family is concerned that if I have a private room, there'll be no one (other patients) to see me if something goes wrong and can call a nurse to help me.

Is this an NHS procedure? Decisions about side rooms are made on the basis of clinical need, level of observation etc. Side rooms may be used to keep people off the main ward pending the outcome of covid tests or a positive result. All rooms are cleaned with the same frequency whether the main ward or a side room. 
All beds have a call bell and if you need regular monitoring then that's what the nurses will do where-ever you are. 

Very good points. I think I may go with the 'clean' ward. I didn't think about the fact that I could be taking the room of a patient waiting for a covid result. I wouldn't want that to happen.

elsien

leapyear said:

Teapot55 said:

A patient often has a catheter at first, or maybe uses a bedpan. The bathrooms have washing facilities including soap and soft paper towels and alcohol-type handwash. I guess you could ask about this in advance to double check. 

I think this would be the case. I'm worried about spit from brushing teeth, splashes from face washing, nose blowing. Am I being too concerned?

Honestly, I think you are. Remember that anyone in there for a planned procedure will have had a covid test first. 
But if you are worried, you can wash under running water without putting the plug in the sink. Or you can take wipes to wipe yourself with. You can take wipes to wipe the taps before turning them on and off. You can keep an eye out for the cleaner and dive in there as soon as they've cleaned it!
Hospitals are very covid conscious, for obvious reasons. 

elsien

leapyear said:

elsien said:

leapyear said:

Teapot55 said:

Where I live you have to stick to social distancing etc for two weeks and go out as little as possible, then three days before admission you take a covid test at the hospital then go straight home and self isolate till you go in.

On the day you report straight to theatre admissions (or similar) and after surgery and some time in ‘recovery’ you go to a ‘green’ ward where all the other patients have followed the same regime. You then stay in hospital for the absolute minimum time. 

All staff wear masks at all times and other patients’ beds are a sufficient distance away. Doctors rounds to post-operative patients are done early in the day before the doctors have been anywhere else. 

When relatives etc come to collect you upon discharge they have to wait outside and the porter pushes you to meet them and then follows them and takes you right to the car and makes sure to place your bag of ‘meds’ on your lap where it won’t be mislaid. 

Thank you for the detailed info. I feel more aware and calmer about what to expect. I think I am most concerned about the shared bathroom. My concern about a private room is it won't be as covid secure as the ward - are hospitals in a good enough position to give a private room that is also 'green' and 'clean' as the ward? My family is concerned that if I have a private room, there'll be no one (other patients) to see me if something goes wrong and can call a nurse to help me.

Is this an NHS procedure? Decisions about side rooms are made on the basis of clinical need, level of observation etc. Side rooms may be used to keep people off the main ward pending the outcome of covid tests or a positive result. All rooms are cleaned with the same frequency whether the main ward or a side room. 
All beds have a call bell and if you need regular monitoring then that's what the nurses will do where-ever you are. 

Very good points. I think I may go with the 'clean' ward. I didn't think about the fact that I could be taking the room of a patient waiting for a covid result. I wouldn't want that to happen.

I was thinking more, is that actually a realistic choice? The last ward I was on, there was no option about where you were. The bed decisions were all based on need not preference. So I was wondering if the hospital were offering a private room as a choice or whether it was more that you were hoping that might be the case?

[Deleted User]

Your not going to get the decision on where you are put. “I’ll take the clean ward”. Basically you’ll go where your clinically assessed you need to go. 

anjyeah

leapyear said:

I know this may differ from each hospital during covid era. I am due to have an operation and was wondering if wards for those recovering from surgery are any different to pre coronavirus times? I've been told I will go to a 'clean ward'. Is this any 'cleaner' than before covid era? I was thinking of having a private room but am wondering if a 'clean ward' would be safer. Any information and/or personal experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A clean ward would only mean everyone is swabbed prior to admission. The only difference is You are going to be separated from those coming to A&E and only getting the swab on arrival, the staff are technically just assigned to look after the "clean ward" patients to and not hopping from one ward to another. If they do, then there are decontamination processes in place. 

It's best to check with your local hospital prior to admission if it really concerns you. But as long as everyone follows the instruction of swabbing and isolating prior to admission, a clean ward or your own room is both as equally safe. 

If it's about the shared bathroom, there are always wipes available and hand gels throughout the space. Best to also keep an eye on the domestic in the morning when they do they first clean so you get first dibs. Good luck! 

RestlessOverDebt

leapyear said:

I know this may differ from each hospital during covid era. I am due to have an operation and was wondering if wards for those recovering from surgery are any different to pre coronavirus times? I've been told I will go to a 'clean ward'. Is this any 'cleaner' than before covid era? I was thinking of having a private room but am wondering if a 'clean ward' would be safer. Any information and/or personal experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi leapyear
Sorry to hear you have to go in for an operation, I understand it must be particularly worrying for you due to the pandemic.
Just to clarify what is meant by 'clean ward'. This is terminology used by the NHS to clarify that no patients that test positive and/or display any symptoms of Covid-19 will be admitted to those wards (clean wards) under any circumstances whatsoever.
With regards to private/side rooms; these are allocated on 'specific need' basis, unfortunately your preference on this is irrelevant (please don't be offended by this). 
Obviously it must be worrying for you, having to have an operation during a pandemic. The NHS have implemented additional protocols to keep you as safe as possible during this difficult time.
leapyear I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry; you'll be fine and back home before you now it. 
I wish you the very best.
Kind regards

 

Kim_kim

leapyear said:

I know this may differ from each hospital during covid era. I am due to have an operation and was wondering if wards for those recovering from surgery are any different to pre coronavirus times? I've been told I will go to a 'clean ward'. Is this any 'cleaner' than before covid era? I was thinking of having a private room but am wondering if a 'clean ward' would be safer. Any information and/or personal experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you can pay for a private room with an en-suite I definitely would.
I myself am having a planned op in April & I wouldn’t be having a planned op i
in this pandemic If I couldn’t have my own room & ensuite.  
 

Sncjw

What do you mean by a choice of. Private room or clean ward
 A clean ward would usually be covid secure ward. If the private room you mean by side room then these will be limited. Usually for those who need alot more privacy.. Or if their health issue can be causing an issue in the bay. Also they get out in there if there is no room in the bay. 
You don't get to pick where you get put. It's down to the beds available at the time and the needs of patients. 

If its the bay or the side room patients will be treated the same of course depending on condition or recovery.

Also if you are wanting to pay for a private room very likely you will have to pay for the private surgery too as a private patient. Also this could delay the surgery. 

Your pre assessment should have given you any information in regards to covidm

Also surgery lists can vary daily even weekly depending on the when management decide when theatre lists run. Theatre lists can be canceled if they don't have the required beds say in itu for post recovery for those who need it. You may not need an itu bed but there will be people who do. They won't likely do theatre lists if they know they have a small number of free beds as they need to balance say transplant patients, emergencies, complications and alsp covid patients
 

Sorry I can't be much use but all in all. You don't get to decide where you want to be put after surgery. I think being in a bay is better as you get some form of stimulaton by talking to other patients and yoy see staff more. Side rooms can be isolating