What are the hospital formalities done before a patient undergoes an operation?

Question

Hey all, please help me in letting know the complete Hospital Formalities done before a Patient undergoes any kind of Operation. I want to know the legal formalities. Thank you

Answer 1

Strictly speaking the legal formalities depend on the jurisdiction of the country you are in. That said, there is a contract between you and the hospital to provide a service, which will include pre- and post-operative care as well as the operation itself. The surgeon may be on the hospital staff or you may have a separate contract with the surgeon to make a diagnosis, perform the operation, and take overall responsibility for the care. The key item in both contracts is the consent form, which should explain precisely what is going to be done.

Answer 2

The patient is examined by the surgeon & an overview of the case is undertaken followed by the consent forms being signed by the patient having had it explained to him or her by the doctor.

There is request for blood profile & cross match for blood in case transfusion is anticipated.

The doctor then prescribes any sedative or pain killers. The anaesthetist is usually the one who prescribes the pre med & this is undertaken following a general examination of the patient.

The patient is advised not to eat or drink after midnight if the operation is under a general anaesthesia.

The site of the operation is then prepared by the nurses after advising the patient to have a shower or a bath.

There is a general check to ensure there is no metal prosthesis in the body, no dentures or dental caps, no contact lenses, hair clips if the patient is female or cross dresser. The presence of nail varnish is removed. If required the patient will then be catheterised & left in clamped. Operating gown & a cap is then donned by the patient & name bands are cross checked by two nurses.

The patient is then reassured about the procedure & outcome & ensured a good night sleep is enjoyed.

In the morning of the operation, the state of the patient is ascertained by taking of temperature, pulse & BP; the pre med is administered at the time prescribed by the doctor & the patient reassured once more to allay any anxieties.

A gentle & soft approach is very essential in order to obtain confidence from the patient & allay any anxieties that may be entertained.

The above underpins the legal formalities in any prospective operation. The absolute essential being sure the right patient is being prepared for the operation as well as the correct site at issue & that the patient has been made to understand the reason & the outcome as well as obtaining his or her consent. If under age consent is obtained from a parent or guardian.

There are other essentials during & after the operation but this is outside of your question.

I hope this is helpful.

Answer 3

Well, of course you get confined in that hospital first for, I don't know, a week or so? What they do when that person gets confined is that they let the person undergo a CT Scan just to know which specific part of the body is needed to be operated on. (And also to know what's in there that's bothering the bodily systems) And 10 or 12 hours before the operation itself, they ask you not to eat anything. (So eat as much as you can!)

Answer 4

The legal formalities are set in the hospital's bylaws and regulations. You can ask to see a copy. Peter H has presented a good summary.