Surgery
Going to theatre
Although we try very hard to give you a time for going to theatre it is not always possible to strictly observe these times as some patients require longer in theatre than expected and on occasions it is necessary to change the order of the list altogether so that instrumentation and staff can be properly utilised.
When it is time to go to theatre your nurse, will escort you and although you will probably walk to theatre if you are able, you will be brought back to your room by trolley.
In the anaesthetic room
Once you are in the anaesthetic room you will be asked more questions by the anaesthetic room staff as a further check. You will at this stage be asked to lie down on the trolley where the Consultant Anaesthetist will then either put you to sleep or administer the local anaesthetic/nerve block. You may also see the Consultant Surgeon in the anaesthetic room who may have a few words with you before going to scrub up for the operation.
Once in theatre
You will then be taken into the operating theatre (if you are having a general anaesthetic you will be asleep at this last stage) and you will be draped with sterile drapes by the scrub staff.
During your operation the Consultant Anaesthetist will monitor your vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse levels and carbon dioxide etc.
