BEFORE THE SURGERY
The teamwork of those caring for you will now be in full swing.
Although you may or may not see familiar faces at this point,
including your attending physician's, you will meet many health
care personnel, including surgeons, nurse anesthetists or anesthesiologists,
laboratory technicians and nurses, all of whom play a role in
your care and recovery. This pre-surgery time is spent with support
staff preparing you for the operation. Personnel in the holding
area are part of the operating room staff and wear surgical scrub
suits, hats, masks and footwear in accordance with infection control
policies. In the pre-surgery area, an intravenous catheter is
inserted into your arm to infuse fluids. You will be given medicine
to make you drowsy, and extra blankets because the operating suites
usually are cool.
