Preparing for surgery and anaesthesia
Before going to hospital for your child's surgery
You may attend a pre-admission clinic where staff will provide you with information about the surgery. They may also give you a plan to plan to follow for before and after the surgery.
Your child may require admission before their surgery day if the doctor needs to do further tests before the surgery, or to prepare for surgery.
To help prepare for anaesthesia, you will visit or meet your anaesthetist before surgery
This is a chance for the anaesthetist to get to know all about your child and share some information about the anaesthetic and what to expect.
It is a good chance to ask lots of questions or discuss any particular concerns.
All our anaesthetists are very friendly and are more than happy to spend the time you and your child need on this.
When you will meet your anaesthetist
There are a few different occasions where you might first meet a member of the anaesthetic team:
- If you are coming in on the day of surgery, you will see your anaesthetist before the operation
- If your child is already an inpatient, you may see the anaesthetist on the day of surgery or the day before surgery on the ward
- Some children who are having bigger operations or have other medical issues may be seen in the pre-admission clinic before the planned date for the operation - you might not see your child’s actual anaesthetist at the clinic, but you will see one of the anaesthetists who will be able to pass on your child’s information.
Your anaesthetist will ask you about
- your child’s medical history
- whether your child has had anaesthetics before
- family history of problems with anaesthetics
- recent illnesses including coughs or colds
- allergies
- regular medications
- any loose teeth.
Consent for surgery
We will ask you to sign a consent form after the doctor explains the operation to you.
We need this consent so we can perform the operation.
If you need an interpreter, please let a staff member know.
It is important that you fully understand the surgery your child will be having and how to care for them after surgery.
Hair, body and clothes
It is important that your child’s hair, body and clothes are clean before surgery to minimise the risk of infection.
Clothes
- dress your child in clean pyjamas for surgery
- many children will be given a hospital gown to wear.
- if your child wears a nappy, change their nappy before surgery.
Hair and nails
- bathe your child and wash their hair either the night before the surgery or on the day
- check your child’s hair for head lice at least two days before the surgery - treat the head lice If necessary
- make sure your child’s fingernails and toenails are clean
- remove any nail polis so doctors and nurses can monitor your child’s circulation during the surgery
- nail polish may also interfere with the pulse monitor, which is a small machine that gently clips on to your child’s finger to keep track of their pulse.
Make-up and jewellery
- remove any make-up and jewellery including earrings, metal hair clips and hair elastics that contain metal
- leave jewellery and other valuables at home.
Is your child taking Aspirin or Nurofen®?
If your child takes Aspirin or Nurofen, they may need to be stopped two weeks before surgery.
Please check with your child’s surgeon or GP if you need to stop these medications before surgery.
These medications may cause bleeding. Panadol® can be given to your child for pain relief.
Exposure to infectious diseases
Please notify the Hospital Bed Manager through the switchboard (details below) if your child or a family member is exposed to an infectious disease three weeks before admission:
Diseases/symptoms include
- measles
- shingles
- chicken pox
- vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- chest infection
- whooping cough
If your child is unable to attend due to illness, a new admission date will be arranged.
Westmead switchboard: (02) 7825 0000
Randwick swtichboard: (02) 9382 1111
Unable to attend?
If your child is unable to attend hospital due to an illness, a new admission date needs to be arranged.
Please phone the contact number on your admission letter.