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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2017 Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be ÌSWPIÇ~`4Î reproduced communicated or adapted without permission from Queensland Health To request permission email: [email protected] SWPI9464 Source of images: Shutterstock according to relevant professional guidelines. training.further All trainees are supervised healthcare professional/student undergoing (particularly inrural areas) oradoctor/ anaesthetist, aGPwith training inanaesthetics You may be seenandcared for by aspecialist Department of Health • • • • • training whowill: Your anaesthetist is adoctor with specialist 3. What does my anaesthetist do? help reduce orrelieve anxiety. is given to patients before someanaesthetics to A pre- (pre-med) is amedicine that 2. What is apre-medication? Image 1:Patient with being given with aface mask after . your throat. The tube is removed as you wake up placed through your mouthornose andinto mask and/orabreathing tube which will be give the gases, theanaesthetist will use aface and/or breathed inas gases into thelungs. To or procedure. Medicines are injected into a vein unconscious andpain free during anoperation a “GA”)is amixture of medicines to keep you A general anaesthetic (sometimes referred to as 1. What is ageneral anaesthetic? It has beendeveloped to beused indiscussion with your doctor orhealthcare professional. This information sheet answers frequently asked questions about having ageneral anaesthetic.

manage transfusions if required. after your surgery orprocedure caring for you during your surgery andstraight be responsible for giving your anaesthetic and and control agree to aplan with you for your anaesthetic options discuss therisks of suitable anaesthetic surgery orprocedure you thetypeof anaesthetic suitable for your assess your health andthendiscuss with

General anaesthetic patient information v1.00 09/2017 Page 1 of 4 include: Uncommon side effects andcomplications • • • • • • • • include: Common side effects andcomplications problems. temporary, somemay cause long-term and complications. Whilst these are usually Every anaesthetic has arisk of side effects Modern anaesthesia is generally very safe. anaesthetic? 4. What are therisks of having an • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

mild allergic reaction such as itching orarash dizziness andfeeling faint blurred/double vision minor damage to lips sore throat or dry andlips pain and/or bruising at sites headache and/or vomiting worsening of an existing medical condition support prolonged requiring eye ointment is used usually used to keep theeyelids closed and/or damage to theeyes (small pieces of tape are which may cause atemporary hoarse voice damage to the voice box and vocal chords, being awake or aware numbness) damagetemporary nerve (paralysis or woken up temporary slow ordifficulty breathing when muscle aches andpains allergic reactions medicine. taking blood thinning andantiplatelet is more common if you have been chest emotional distress/behavioural disturbances or months people. It usually recovers but may take weeks confusion loss, andmemory usually inolder damage to teeth anddental work shivering problems passing urine Informed consent: patient information General anaesthetic Rare risks andcomplications include: Your risks are also increased if you: Department of Health • • • • • • • The risk to you will dependon: consent form before you sign it. these with you. Ensure they are written onthe doctor/healthcare professional will discuss individual condition andcircumstances. Your There may also berisks specific to your 5. What are my specific risks? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • anaesthetic? 4. What are therisks of having an

death (very rare). equipment failure causing significant harm epileptic seizures deafness (usually term) short damage to theeyes including loss of vision damage blood clot inthelungs severe andpermanent damage nerve breathing support prolonged paralysis requiring lungs causing pneumonia leaking of stomach contents/vomit into the stroke orheart attack emergency treatment very hightemperature requiring severe allergy orshock break off andgo to thelungs. swelling. Inrare cases partof theclot may blood clot intheleg (DVT) causing pain and sleep problems – – – – – – have thefollowing: are overweight smoke are elderly whether your surgery is anemergency. long time whether your surgery takes ora ashort how simple orcomplex your surgery is

other serious medical conditions. high kidney disease heart diabetes disease chest a bad cold orflu, asthma orother (continued)

General anaesthetic patient information v1.00 09/2017 Page 2 of 4 • • • In preparation for your procedure: anaesthetic if you dothefollowing: You are at less risk of problems from an having ageneral anaesthetic? 7. What are my responsibilities before these with your doctor/healthcare professional. have theproposed anaesthetic. Please discuss There may beconsequences if you choose not to ? 6. What are therisks of not having • • • •

(13 78 48). during andafter anoperation. Phone13 QUIT your blood andincreases breathing problems to improve. Smoking cuts down theoxygen in surgery to give your lungs andheart achance Stop smoking as early as possible before your weight safely. anaesthetic. Ask your GPabout losing will reduce many of therisks of having an If you are overweight, losing someweight health. Ask your GPabout exercising safely. to improve your blood circulation andlung Increase your fitness before your procedure – – – or turmeric: herbal/alternative medicines, such as fishoil rivaroxaban (Xarelto) orcomplementary/ apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), ticagrelor (Brilinta), ticlopidine (Tilodene), (Effient), dipyridamole (Persantin or Asasantin), clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover, Coplavix), prasugrel thinning) medicines, such as warfarin, aspirin, the anaesthetic. before your surgery as these may affect recreational smoking such as marijuana) Stop taking recreational (this includes before surgery. Do not drink any 24 hours effect of theanaesthetic medicines. Drink less alcohol, as alcohol may alter the If you take orantiplatelet (blood

thinning medicine. doctor when you can restart theblood medicine before your procedure, ask your if you are asked to stop taking blood thinning without medical advice do NOT stop blood thinning medicines affect your blood clotting should stop taking it before surgery as it may ask your surgeon and/oranaesthetist if you

ÌSWPIÇ~`4Î SWPI9464 ÌSWPIÇ~`4Î SWPI9464 ÌSWPIÇ~`4Î SWPI9464 ÌSWPIÇ~`4Î SWPI9464 On theday of your procedure: Department of Health until you are well enough to go home. ward orday procedure area where you will rest are fully awake. You will thenbereturned to the recovery area will watch you closely until you After thesurgery, the nursing staff inthe involve? 8. What does my anaesthetic recovery • • • • • having ageneral anaesthetic? 7. What are my responsibilities before

– – – – – – you have: Tell your doctor andtheanaesthetist if for advice. If you feel unwell: telephone theward/hospital – – there are someimportant exceptions: should becontinued before anoperation, but If you are taking medicines: most medicines smoke ordrink alcohol. If you are asmoker ordrink alcohol: donot your lungs. you vomit, there will benothing to go into to make sure your stomach is empty sothat if operation may bedelayed orcancelled. This is or chew gumafter this timeotherwise your drink. DoNOT eat (including lollies), drink, will betold whento have your last meal and Nothing to eat ordrink(‘nil by mouth’): you

side effects. allergies/intolerances of any typeand diabetic medicines (e.g. insulin) contraceptive pill, and/or limited to blood thinning medicines, the supplements; this may include andare not counter medicines, herbal remedies and been taking prescribed and/orover the dental problems false teeth, caps, loose teeth orother problems with anaesthesia had previous problems and/orknown family a drugaddiction stay inhospital is needed illnesses), including if regular treatment ora pressure, infectious , serious health problems (e.g. diabetes, highblood you are taking. supplements to show your anaesthetist what the counter, herbal remedies and medicines, those medicines you buy over take to thehospital all your prescribed about yourmedicines your doctor will provide specific instructions

(continued) General anaesthetic patient information v1.00 09/2017 Page 3 of 4 • • • involve? 8. What does my anaesthetic recovery • • • • • own safety during this time: for about 24 hours orsometimes longer. For your A general anaesthetic will affect your judgment 9. Following ageneral anaesthetic • • Some ways of giving pain relief are: if needed. other andextra fluids by adrip, The anaesthetist will arrange pain relief, any you somemedication to help. nausea, or vomiting. They will beable to give from the anaesthetic, such as headache, Tell nursing staff if you have any side effects

– suppositories: – – injections: – – – tablets orpills: your surgery. have anadult with you onthe first night after the anaesthetic medicines substances, or smoke, as they may react with do NOT drink alcohol, take othermind-altering or sign legal documents withdrawal of money from theATM machine) do NOT make important decisions (such as implements do NOT operate machinery including cooking vehicle do NOT drive any typeof car, bike orother – – local/regional anaesthesia: – – patient-controlled analgesia (PCA):

back passage () for pain relief are small pellets that are placed into your skin andwill take 20minutes to work can also begiven into amuscle orunder the relief is within afew minutes will usually begiven into a vein andpain these take at least half anhourto work not feel sick for these to work you needto beable to eat anddrink and used for all types of pain www.health.qld.gov.au/consent patient information sheet request acopy and/orrefer to therelevant hours of pain relief afterthesurgery. general anaesthetic giving you around 4–6 into thewound while you are having the the surgeon often injects local anaesthetic accidental overdose it is programmed insuch away to prevent strong pain relief medicines a button for your dripto give you adose of you control your own pain relief by pressing (continued) Department of Health your doctor/healthcare professional. proposed procedure, please talk about this with about your condition, treatment options and/or or any otherinformation you have beengiven information inthis patient information sheet If you donot understand any aspect of the doctor/healthcare professional 11. Questions to ask my • • • websites: following informationFurther may befound onthe before-after/index.html www.qld.gov.au/health/services/hospital-care/ on theQueensland Health website: and after andSurgical procedures is available Information onHospital care: before, during 10. Useful sources of information

has not reviewed this as awhole). ‘Anaesthesia explained, 2015’but theRCoA Royal College of Anaesthetists’ (RCoA) leaflet (This publication includes text taken from the www.rcoa.ac.uk/patientinfo Royal College of Anaesthetists: of Anaesthetists: www.anzca.edu.au/patients Australian andNew Zealand College www.health.qld.gov.au/consent Queensland Health:

General anaesthetic patient information v1.00 09/2017 Page 4 of 4 doctor/healthcare professional 11. Questions to ask my Your local contact details are: 12. Contact us (continued)

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