Any info on the hospital intake appreciated!

[rhino19]

Tommorrow we go to the hospital for as they call it intial intake before surgery. From what the nurse said and few others I have talked to they do all the prelim blood testing, walk through each area cardiac etc. and they blow by blow detail of the operation procedure. One person told me that it is pretty gruesome or shall I say morbid. Sounds like this is routine though. Any words of advice would be appreciated, remember I am trying to be the up one as my husband is the patient, sometimes seems a little hard

 

[WayneGM]

Your "intake" sounds like our "pre-admission". My experience wasn't gruesome or morbid. I had some pre-admission tests (blood, urine, etc), but after that it was more like an orientation session. I met the surgical staff. Toured the Cardiac Centres facilities. I signed a bunch of forms. I also met with a past patient who volunteers telling his experience and providing some tips and best practices from a patients point of view. In a group session with other patients having OHS, we watched a couple of videos (which I had already seen as they were also available on their internet site). These videos simply explained what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Nothing too graphic and included testimonials from past patients on their experiences. We also practiced using the spirometer. All in all it seemed pretty routine and wasn't really anything to speak of.

Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Susan BAV]

Pretty much the way Wayne described it is how I remember it. They also gave me a bottle of liquid antibacterial soap and told me to wash very thoroughly with it, as per the instructions on the bottle. I had a lot of trouble getting my hair combed out afterward but, unless your hubby has hair like Fabio, that shouldn't be too much trouble.

Occasionally, a member here will say they weren't given a spirometer. If your husband is given one, however, it will be his very good friend. Doing the exercises regularly, every hour or as directed, can make a big difference in some possible recovery complications.

Best wishes. Be sure, throughout this entire situation, you get adequate sleep yourself and eat nourishingly and bring something to pass the nervewracking time in the surgical waiting room. Hoping all goes very well .

 

[Marguerite53]

All I remember was paperwork! Lots of questions!! If his Advance Directive is not in place, they may offer you that to fill out. I'm sure there was a bloodtest and procedural review. I got no tour; I got no video (possibly I told them I didn't want or need one but I honestly don't think they offered one at my hospital). Practice with the spirometer (kind of getting a baseline). Nothing morbid whatsoever. I did get a business manager (they want to be sure the insurance is all set up properly!) whose kids had gone to the same high school and we laughed and gossipped about teachers and such. I was very optimistic and very very ready for the surgery so that particular day was actually solid and fun for me. I just laughed and smiled and cajoled my way through it. So relieved to be there!

Good luck, whatever you are faced with. It's his ticket to life. I smiled and thanked everyone I met as the journey unfolded. Some of the most wonderful care imaginable. Hopefully the same kind of optimism can lead him through the next few days.

Best wishes.

Marguerite

 

[Jkm7]

Before proceeding up to the Cardiac Floors, I completed paper work for pre admission.
I then had blood and urine tests, chest x-ray, ekg, physical exam by PA, nurses orientation to Step Down but I had OHS at the same hospital four years previously so they knew I was familiar with what to expect. They do a short mental agility/memory test to have for comparison if any problems post op. No videos or spirometer lessons.

Had a detailed conversation with anesthesiologist. Much more detailed than the last time which was just basically for me to sign the release. I was more informed this time before signing the release. (But he was such a very nice guy and incredibly easy to look at. So, until he started sharing too many details of what they would be doing, I just enjoyed looking at him.

With the details, I told him it's more info than I need. He laughed and put his papers away. We were at the hospital from about 7:30 until almost 2:30 or 3:00. They were so nice.....at lunch time they asked if we wanted anything and we said, No, thank you. They brought us sandwich and cold drinks anyway. Very nice.

There's a reason Mass General is always rated in the top five heart centers..... They are so expert and excellent at what and how they do it. No matter the skill of the surgeon, the support staff is critical. The rest of the facility has to be as excellent as the surgeon to achieve the best possible outcome.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Mine was just lab tests, instructions, and paperwork. Lots of questions about health history. No tours, meetings, or anything else. Perhaps the gruesome/morbid part they are referring to is the list of possible complications of the surgery. Yes, we all know that this surgery can result in brain damage, death, etc., but so can all surgeries. I know a woman who died while having a facelift and another who died while having knee surgery. It can happen, but it usually doesn't.

I also received the soap. I didn't receive my spirometer until after the surgery.

The good thing about the pre-admission day for me was that when I arrived for surgery, everything was done. They took me back to a patient room as soon as I arrived, where I changed clothes, got my IV, met with the Anesthesiologist, and talked to the Surgeon. I didn't have to sign anything. From there, I went directly to surgery. At that particular hospital, heart patients don't have to go to the regular pre-op area where there would be several other patients waiting to have surgery. They get their own private room. They have their own recovery area and nurse as well.

 

[njean]

Pretty much the way Wayne described it is how I remember it. They also gave me a bottle of liquid antibacterial soap and told me to wash very thoroughly with it, as per the instructions on the bottle. I had a lot of trouble getting my hair combed out afterward but, unless your hubby has hair like Fabio, that shouldn't be too much trouble.

Occasionally, a member here will say they weren't given a spirometer. If your husband is given one, however, it will be his very good friend. Doing the exercises regularly, every hour or as directed, can make a big difference in some possible recovery complications.

Best wishes. Be sure, throughout this entire situation, you get adequate sleep yourself and eat nourishingly and bring something to pass the nervewracking time in the surgical waiting room. Hoping all goes very well .

And don't forget to take a light sweater or jacket w/you to the hospital. The rooms are kept pretty cold for patients. I remember my poor husband shivering & asking me if I was cold but in fact, I was burning up!

Best wishes to you & take care!

 

[Jkm7]

I didn't have to sign anything. From there, I went directly to surgery. At that particular hospital, heart patients don't have to go to the regular pre-op area where there would be several other patients waiting to have surgery. They get their own private room. They have their own recovery area and nurse as well.

Good points. I had forgotten that I also went directly to a private pre-op area. Only those involved with my care were present.

Same for post op. No recovery room. Directly from OR to CICU to private area.

Comparing that to other non-cardiac surgeries I've had in the past, being in the private areas was very much appreciated.

 

[ponygirlmom]

Your husband is well within his rights to refuse to watch a graphic video. All he needs to know are the risks of which he must be legally informed in order to give his consent to surgery.

That said, the video we watched was not graphic at all. It was a general "what we do in pre-op and post-op" video aimed at people having various types of heart surgery. It showed the various rooms, staff and pre/post op procedures, but not any surgery itself.

I'm surprised that they didn't give you a more specific idea of what they will do. The Friday before surgery I had an EKG, a chest x-ray and two types of blood tests. One of them was to cross-match my blood for possible transfusion, so after that test I wore an "I've had my blood checked" bracelet until surgery on Monday. I also met with my surgeon. Oh, and there was the paperwork.