Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Fall 2018

nurse comes in and takes vital signs and does any more prescribed preoperative testing.” The nurse starts your IV for hydration and medication. You get a visit from the anesthesiologist who will take your signature for permission to administer anesthesia for your procedure. The final visit is from your surgeon, who will brief you on the procedure and answer any final questions. “It might seem like at least 25 times you’ll be asked your name, birthdate and if you have any allergies,” quips Vigue. “And you’ll get tired of it. But it is a safety thing. Before we do or administer anything, we are required to ask your name and your birthdate.” Providing the best possible care Nurses in the surgical services department are also patient teachers on how to best take care of yourself. “Teaching is incredibly important both before and after surgery,” O’Connor says. “If you are supposed to have crutches, we explain where you can get crutches. If you’re supposed to have physical therapy, we encourage you to set that up prior to your admission so that everything can be in place for you. We go over what’s expected for pain, how to alleviate pain in different ways one day 4) From left, Jody Hass, Surgical Tech; Christie Bentaz, Physician Assistant; and surgeon Ben Miller, DO, perform a hernia surgery. —continued on page 10 www.bartletthospital.org 9