Print PagePre-Assessment Clinic
St. Finbar's day ward has a nurse led pre-assessment clinic (with anaesthetic support), which assess the patients physical, medical, psychological and social suitability to have their surgery performed as a day case. It is basically a detailed interview between the nurse and the patient. The nurse assesses the patients past history, how the patient is now, and the type of medications the patient is on etc. The nurse then decides if the patient needs any tests to be done (i.e. bloods/ ecg/ chest x-ray). This saves time on the day of surgery for both the patient and staff, as the tests are already done.
The patient is also psychologically prepared for their procedure, and pre and post operative instructions are given to the patient and their family members. Information for the patients discharge is also given. Education is also given to the patient regarding what to bring to the ward on the day of surgery, and what medications to take on the morning of surgery.
The aim of the assessment is to ensure that the patients are suitable for day surgery and to answer and explain any questions that the patient may have about their surgical procedure. This ensures that only patients who meet the agreed criteria for admission to day surgery are chosen. Patients are referred to the pre-assessment clinic from the doctors in A+E, the out-patient department, minor theatre, from other wards in the hospital and from other hospitals. Once patients are pre-assessed, the nurse will decide if they are suitable to have their procedure done as a day case. If the patient is suitable then they will be booked in. If patients are not suitable to have their procedure done as a day case, then they will have their procedure done as an in-patient in another ward. You will be told on the day of pre-assessment if you are suitable to have your procedure done as a day case.
Points to Remember When Having a Procedure
Pre-assessment Clinic
Discharge and Post-operative Information