| General surgery |
| |
| Once a patient has been admitted to hospital for general surgery, the doctor and the nursing staff will give the patient more specific instructions. |
| |
| The doctor may do some blood tests, an ECG or take chest x-rays. A full medical and anesthetic history will be taken and any risk factors reported to the doctor. |
| |
| A patient may not eat or drink for eight hours prior to surgery. A consent form is signed and a hospital theatre gown is to be worn to theatre. |
| |
| Any jewelry, dentures, contact lenses and nail polish must be removed. |
| |
| The anesthetist may order pre-medication and a urine specimen will be sent to the laboratory for testing. |
| |
| The patient may need to be shaved or receive a specific skin preparation prior to the procedure and identification bands will be fitted. |