My Spine - Cervical
The Ward
You will be taken to the ward and made comfortable in your bed. A member
of staff will take your blood pressure, temperature and weight. You will also
be asked specific questions about your health, possible allergies to medica-
tion, previous anaesthetic complications and whether you fully understand
your planned procedure. Many of these functions will also be performed at a
pre-admission clinic, streamlining your admission. You will be given a the-
atre gown to wear, which fastens behind your back and is not very flattering,
but specifically designed to be functional. The anaesthetist will consult and
examine you in the ward to ensure the use of the safest and most appropriate
anaesthesia based on your history, examination and planned procedure.
Your valuables may be locked away by the staff for safe keeping. You will be
informed of your approximate time for theatre, but you have to be aware that
this may not be accurate and your operation may even be delayed for several
hours as theatre lists can be prolonged by many technical factors as well as
emergencies.
Theatre
You will be fetched by a porter and brought to theatre on your bed. It can be
quite disconcerting and most people become quite anxious. To reduce anxiety
a light sedative is frequently administered in the ward as prescribed by the
anaesthetist.
At the theatre doors, you will be handed over to theatre personnel and they
will verify with the ward staff that you are the correct patient and that you
have been booked for the correct procedure. They will also ask some basic
questions and verify that all false teeth, jewelry and aids have been removed.
You will then be taken to a waiting area.
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