Your surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical nurse, and other health care providers know there are certain steps that are important to take to make sure that you receive proper care. You should expect these steps to be taken.
Many of our staff will ask you your name and another identifying piece of information, such as your date of birth, as different people can have the same name. You will be given an armband for identification. You should verify that all the information is correct. All your health care providers should check your identification bracelet. For your safety, all your health care providers should ask both the kind of surgery you are having and the exact location (on your body) where you will be treated. Your health care providers ask these questions to ensure that the information that you provide matches the information within their documents. If it does not, they will stop and get clarification to ensure that everyone agrees before proceeding (including you). When your health care providers ask you these questions, they are verifying for your safety. Before you are taken to the operating or procedure room, the surgeon should place a mark very near the proper procedure location. If at any time you have and questions or concerns, please ask.
For your safety and to help control the spread of infection, the facility temperature should be maintained below 73°F. We do not want you to be cold, so please let us know if you would like warming measures like a warm blanket. Hand hygiene has been shown to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. You should expect every health care provider to wash their hands or use hand foam before providing you with any care or performing any tests. If you do not see your health care provider perform proper hand hygiene or if you are unsure, please let us know.
Before administering any medication to you, your health care provider should ask:
Your health care provider should tell you the name of the medication that you are receiving. Before you go home, you should be given a list of your medications and any new prescriptions that your doctor has written for you. If you have any questions or concerns about your medications, please ask.
