Instruction: Shower thoroughly the evening before and again on the morning of your surgery. Why it’s important: Your skin naturally carries millions of germs (bacteria). While most are harmless, some can cause infection if they enter your body during surgery. Showering with soap and water significantly reduces the number of germs on your skin. This simple step is one of the most effective ways you can help prevent surgical site infections. Please pay particular attention to washing your belly button, armpits, and groin area.

Instruction: After your shower, do NOT apply make-up, lotions, powders, oils, deodorant, or perfumes. Why it’s important:

• Make-up: Can conceal changes in your skin colour, which healthcare staff monitor closely during and after surgery as an indicator of your circulation and oxygen levels.
• Lotions, Powders, Oils, Perfumes, Deodorant: These products can leave residues on your skin that may interfere with the effectiveness of antiseptic solutions used in the operating theatre. They can also affect how monitoring equipment (like ECG pads or oxygen saturation probes) adheres to or reads from your skin. Some products can even pose a minor fire risk with certain surgical equipment.

Instruction: Remove all jewellery, including wedding rings and all body piercings. Please leave them at home. Why it’s important:

• Safety Risk: Jewellery can snag on equipment or surgical drapes, potentially causing injury or becoming a hazard.
• Electrical Conductivity: During some surgical procedures, electro-surgical tools are used. Metal jewellery can conduct electricity and cause burns if not removed.
• Swelling: Your fingers or other body parts may swell during or after surgery, making rings and other jewellery very difficult and painful to remove. In severe cases, it might require cutting the jewellery.
• Imaging Interference: Metal can interfere with X-rays or MRI scans that may be needed.
• Loss: The hospital cannot be responsible for lost or damaged jewellery.

Instruction: Do not wax or shave any part of your body (especially near the surgical site) for at least 3 days before your surgery. Why it’s important: Shaving or waxing can cause tiny, invisible nicks or cuts in your skin. These micro-injuries can become entry points for bacteria, significantly increasing your risk of developing a surgical site infection. If hair removal at the surgical site is necessary, our nursing staff will do this for you just before your surgery using the safest method.

Instruction: Remove all nail polish, gel polish, and false nails (acrylic, gel, shellac) from both your fingernails and toenails. Why it’s important: A clip-on device called a pulse oximeter is placed on your finger or toe during surgery to continuously monitor the oxygen levels in your blood. Nail polish, gel, or false nails can interfere with the accuracy of this device, making it difficult for the surgical team to get vital information about your condition. They also allow us to monitor your circulation and an early indication of changes in your well being by observing the colour under your nails.

Instruction: After your evening shower the night before surgery, dress in freshly washed nightwear and sleep in freshly washed bed linen. Why it’s important: This ensures that your clean skin isn’t immediately re-contaminated by germs from unwashed fabrics, maintaining the sterile preparation achieved by showering.

It is extremely important to manage your medications carefully before surgery. Certain medications need to be stopped or adjusted to ensure your safety and the success of your procedure.

• Bring a Full List: Always bring a current, comprehensive list of ALL medications you are taking – including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, and even recreational drugs. Include the name, dose, and how often you take them.
• Discuss with Your Pre-Assessment Team: During your pre-assessment appointment, you will discuss your medications in detail with a nurse or doctor. This is your opportunity to ask questions.
• Specific Instructions: You will receive specific instructions on which medications to stop and when and which to continue.
• Do Not Stop Medications Unless Advised: Never stop taking a prescribed medication unless you have been specifically advised to do so by your surgeon, anaesthetist, or pre-assessment nurse.
• Diabetic Patients: If you are diabetic, you will receive very specific instructions regarding your insulin or oral medications and fasting. It is critical to follow these precisely.
• Contact Us: If you are unsure about any of your medications after your pre-assessment

Fasting (going ‘nil by mouth’) before surgery is one of the most important instructions you will receive. It is vital for your safety during anaesthesia to ensure your stomach is empty.

• Solid Food: Please consult with your pre-operative team in relation to how long you must fast before your scheduled surgery time.
• Clear Fluids: You may drink plain water, black tea, or black coffee (without milk) before your scheduled surgery time – please consult with your pre-operative team on how long before your surgery you can drink these up to.
• Milk/Juice/Fizzy Drinks: Do NOT drink milk, fruit juice with pulp, fizzy drinks, or other non-clear fluids before your surgery, as specifically advised by your team.
• Medications with Water: If you are instructed to take specific medications on the morning of surgery, you may take them with a very small sip of plain water only.
• Follow Specific Instructions: You will receive precise fasting instructions at your pre-assessment appointment. Please adhere to these instructions carefully. If you break your fast, even by accident, you must inform the nursing staff immediately upon arrival, as your surgery may need to be delayed or rescheduled for your safety.

To make your stay with us as comfortable and safe as possible, please bring only essential items.

Please Bring:

• Your Appointment Letter & Hospital ID (if applicable).
• All Your Current Medications (in their original packaging, as discussed in your pre-assessment).
• A List of Your Allergies (if you have any).
• Comfortable, Loose-fitting Clothes for your journey home.
• Basic Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, soap – remember no lotions or oils before surgery).
• Reading Material or a Small Personal Device (e.g., phone, tablet – but please be mindful of other patients).
• Small Amount of Cash for incidentals (e.g., newspaper).
• Your Glasses, Hearing Aids, or Dentures (and their cases/containers).

Please Leave at Home:

• All Jewellery and Valuables (including watches, rings, earrings, piercings). UHK cannot take responsibility for lost or damaged personal items.
• Large Sums of Money or Credit Cards (beyond what is essential).
• Excessive Luggage.
• Illicit Drugs or Alcohol.
• Any Food or Drink (unless specifically advised by your clinical team).
• Electric Blankets or Heaters.

Planning for your discharge begins even before your surgery. Our aim is to ensure you return home safely with the right support in place for your recovery.

• Early Planning: Your healthcare team will discuss your discharge plan with you and your family/carer from the time of your admission.
• Expected Date of Discharge (EDD): You will be given an estimated Expected Date of Discharge. While this can change, it helps with planning.
• Support at Home: Consider who will be there to support you when you go home. Do you need help with transport, meals, or personal care? Discuss any concerns with your nursing team.
• Medications on Discharge: You will receive clear instructions and a supply of any new or ongoing medications you need. Ensure you understand how and when to take them before you leave.
• Follow-Up Appointments: You will be informed of any follow-up appointments (e.g., clinic visits, wound care) that have been scheduled.
• Wound Care & Pain Management: You will receive clear advice on how to care for your surgical wound, manage any pain, and what symptoms to look out for that might require medical attention.
• Contact Information: You will be provided with contact details for who to call if you have concerns or questions after you return home.
• Discharge Criteria: You will be discharged when you are medically stable and able to manage safely at home or in an appropriate care setting.
• Transport Home: Please arrange for a friend or family member to collect you, as you will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery involving anaesthesia or sedation.

For more information on preparing for discharge visit: https://uhk.ie/patient-discharge/

At UHK, we are continuously striving to improve the care and services we provide. Your experience and feedback are invaluable to us. For more details visit: https://uhk.ie/patient-feedback/