Pre Surgery meeting

On March 11th 2009 I went to St. Michael Hospital for my pre-admission appointment and was impressed by their services. I check-in at 7:20 am and started the pre-registration process. After completing the pre-registration I was informed to make my self comfortable at the waiting area for a nurse to take me to the next stage of the pre-Surgery examination. The staff also apologized that it may be a long wait and that there is a Tim Horton coffee near the entrance of the Hospital should I wish to get anything while waiting. In the meantime I am to fill up a personal health check questionnaire for the nurse who will call out my name to get me in the waiting area.

After about 15 minutes a nurse calls me and started to take my weight and height. Than we go to a room and she told me to watch a video from the hospital regarding the purpose of the visited. The nurse return after the video completed and told me the list of test and who will be in and out of the room to talk to me. First off she went over the questionnaire I have just completed while waiting in the waiting room. However, I was not able to assist her with one of the prescription I had for my high blood pressure. Nonetheless she inform me not to worry as she will request the attending pharmacist to help me track down the medicine. She also handled me the agenda for the day during my visit and tick off the first item she had completed to me. She also informed me that someone will inform me what to do through out my visit.

The next item on the list was blood sample. As she stepped out of the office she informed me that a lab technician will be in shortly to take some blood samples followed by an ECG technician and the anesthetist. The only surprise was a visit from a research team from the hospital coming in to explain to me their interest in me to be part of the sturdy and research. However, their research will need me to donate 2 heart tissue samples taken during the surgery for their research and for that they will required my consent. I promise them I will take a look at it.

After the 2 research scientists left the room someone from the blood team came in to explain to me about the possibility of blood transfusion during surgery and the risk of having it. However, I was also given a pamphlet by the nurse regarding the blood transfusion already. Once we are done the technician help me with my belonging and walk me to the x-ray room for a chest x-ray. Before leaving she informed me that after the x-ray I should change my hospital gurney to my own clothing and again in the waiting room for someone to take us to a room to view another video regarding cardio surgery. This video will prepare us for the surgery and what to expect after surgery and recovery. I found the material very helpful and useful.

After the video a register post operation nurse coming in to distribute a bottle of antiseptic to clean ourselves the night before and on the morning of the surgery.
She also talks to us about the ICU care and visitation during ICU.