Pre-assessment for a hysteroscopy? Why?

[AuldJosey]

Apparently I've to have one of these Friday to see whether I'm fit to go through the hysteroscopy.
Can anyone tell me what that involves? BP? Bloods?

I just fail to see the reason for a bloomin test about a test!

The administrator just said it's tests to check that I'm 'fit' to undergo the procedure. Why wouldn't I be?

Are you having an anaesthetic? I’ve had two scopes without pre-assessments, so that seems like the only reason i can think of.

Are you having a general anaesthetic?

Is it something to do with the anaesthetic? Surely they do that just before the procedure? Why two bloomin appointments?

Reason I'm asking: I'm not very well for other reasons, and having to go to bloody hospital twice is annoying me. And what if I'm not 'fit' for the hysteroscopy?? Do they just not do it?

Yes, having an anaesthetic.

So how do they deem you fit for an anaesthetic then?

They ask you about the anaesthesia at the assessment and check for medication contraindications plus measure you, weigh, bp, bloods if req, ecg if req. Take a copy of your repeat, a magazine and brace for Bargain Hunt.

If you aren't fit enough for it, they won't do it. They may have to postpone it until you aren't a surgery risk. It's not like emergency heart surgery. They are just looking out for you.

I've had two hysterocscopies and never had a pre assessment but had them both with local anaesthetic not general. I think they always do bloods etc before a GA don't they?

They already have a full list of my prescribed meds. Surely my presence isn't required for that!

Very annoying I know, but in my experience of pre assessments they do them a few days earlier. If I remember correctly they check weight and height and blood pressure.

Yeah but if you get prescribed warfarin in the mean time it gives them opportunity to tell you to lower or stop for example.

FFS - what a waste of time.

PLUS - I've to be there for 7AM the day of the hysteroscopy. That's going to be a long fucking day!

If you are having a general anaesthetic, then they will be ensuring you are fit for that. That will include checking your medical history, current medications, heart and chest, BP, pulse and temperature, weight and height, allergies, previous anaesthetic history etc. Stops wasting very expensive operating theatre place/staff if a patient isn’t fit. Some meds need to be stopped/changed in advance etc.
And yes, if you are not fit for anaesthetic then something will have to be done to make it safe for you.

At the hospital where I work most hysteroscopy procedures are not performed under general anaesthetic. I had mine at a different trust without anaesthetic too. I guess there is a specific reason why you are having anaesthesia and the appointment is just to check that you are ok for this.

It's like I have £20 floating about to get me to and from bloody appointments willy nilly.

Have a spinal then you can go home earlier.
Ask about it at the preassesment.
Just hope you are i in early on theater day.

I think I need a general anaesthetic just to get me there!

I’m sure the anaesthetist and the surgeon want to know if your at risk to hemorrhage, have your lungs collapse or have a stroke. How silly of them.
Of course if your not fit they will cancel.

This pre assessment is Friday, the procedure isn't until the following Wednesday. So what my BP is on Friday is irrelevant surely.

If my lungs collapse or I have a stroke, I'll be in hospital surely.

Sorry, I'm grumpy. I just hate bloody appointments here there and everywhere.

It won't be just your BP. It will be BMI, medical history, medications, possibly MRSA swabs (in case you are admitted), possibly bloods, and also verifying that you know when to fast/stop drinking and that you have someone to take you home and stay with you for 24 hours.

They are doing it so they have a baseline of observations and to find out that your fit for theatre.

If you’re not fit for theatre then no they won’t do the procedure until whatever makes you unfit for the procedure is resolved.

If they pre op you on Friday and find you aren’t fit then they can give someone your operation slot on Wednesday because most hospitals have lots of people on two week wait appointments as well as all the 16 week waits so they could slot someone in, fill the theatre list up and save people waiting longer, save the theatre having an empty list.

If you’re fit then they have a baseline of observations so they can compare to them post op to check everything is ok with you.

If they find out your fit to proceed but need adjustments for the surgery it’s easier to sort them with 5 days notice than it is to sort them with 1-2 hours notice on the day of your surgery.

If you’re there at 7am and on the morning list and all goes to plan you’ll likely be home by afternoon.

Yes, how inconvenient for you that the anaesthetists want to make sure you won't die under the anaesthetic

Seriously, for any procedure requiring an anaesthetic it's completely standard to have a pre-op screening. Perhaps it's a hassle, but it needs to be done to ensure your safety.