Instructions for the day before your orthopaedic operation / procedure

To proceed as planned with your operation

Please be aware, that your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. So if any of the following apply to you, please call the Pre-assessment Clinic on 01227 783114.

• If you see your GP for any reason.

• If there have been any changes to your normal medication / or you start taking new medication.   

• If you have a cough, cold, sore throat, diarrhoea, or vomiting, or other illness in the two weeks before your planned operation.

• If there is any chance that you have an infection in any part of your body, such as a tooth infection.

• If you have any ulcers, open wounds, grazes, insect bites, or cuts on your skin, on any part of your body.

• If you have had any other procedure, including dental or podiatry, in the three weeks before your operation date.

• If you become pregnant.

• If you are planning to fly six weeks before or three months after your surgery.

You may no longer need or want to proceed with your operation if:

• Your symptoms have resolved (got better on their own).

• Your symptoms have improved to a manageable level, and are no longer affecting your quality of life.

• You no longer want the procedure / operation.

If any of the above apply to you, please contact the Pre-assessment Clinic on 01227 783114 as soon as possible.

Pre-Assessment contact numbers                

• Pre-Assessment Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
  Telephone: 01227 783114

• Inpatient Pre-Assessment, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate
  Telephone: 01843 235115

• Arundel Unit Pre-Assessment, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
  Telephone: 01233 616743

Once you have been given a date for your operation, please contact the Waiting List Office if you are not able to attend for any other reason. The Waiting List Office telephone number is on your admission letter.

If you do not have a date for surgery, the Waiting List Office will contact you. Please be aware that there may be a delay between your pre-assessment appointment and the date of your surgery. You may have to return for an updated pre-assessment, to make sure we update your health status and investigations.

Please do not smoke for at least 48 hours before your procedure / operation.

If you are planned to be discharged from hospital on the same day as your surgery, please make sure that you arrange for a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours.

On the day of your procedure / operation

• Please do not wear nail varnish, false nails, or make-up.

• You must have a bath or shower at home before coming to the hospital.

• If you have been given some decolonisation treatment, please use this for two days before and on the day of your surgery. You also need to bring this to the hospital, as you will need to continue using it during your hospital stay.

  You must follow the decolonisation treatment instructions below. This treatment and good personal hygiene (bath or shower at home) will reduce your risk of infection. If you do not follow this advice, your operation may need to be re-scheduled.

• Please bring a dressing gown and slippers with you.

• Space at the bedside is limited; please only bring one small item of luggage and leave valuables at home.

Please attend ___________________________________ at ___________ on ___________

Fasting instructions

If you are having surgery in the morning

• Do not eat food after 2:30am on the day of your surgery. Please do not drink milk or fruit juice with pulp after 2:30am.

• You may drink non-alcoholic clear fluids such as water or black tea / coffee until 6:30am. This does not include fizzy drinks.

If you are having surgery in the afternoon

• Do not eat food after 7:30am on the day of your surgery. Please do not drink milk or fruit juice with pulp after 7:30am.

• You may drink non-alcoholic clear fluids such as water or black tea / coffee until 11:30am. This does not include fizzy drinks.                                                       

Should I take my normal medication before my surgery?

• Please bring to hospital all your usual medications in their original containers. This includes any inhalers, eye drops, creams, and ointments. 

• Except the following: ________________________________________________

• Specific medication instructions:

Please continue to take all other regular medication as usual on the day of your surgery. These can be taken with a sip of water.

Before you come to hospital, please make sure that you have enough of your normal painkillers at home that you would take for mild to moderate pain.

How do I use the decolonisation treatment?

If you have been asked to use MRSA decolonisation before your surgery, please follow the instructions below. Please note decolonisation is not needed for all surgery.

Please bring the treatment wash and nasal ointment to the hospital with you, as the kit that you have been given contains enough for the five days.