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Original poster

How strict are hospitals after sedation

159 replies

AutumnDance · 31/12/2021 23:51

I was given a date for a hospital procedure. It's a day procedure. I will need sedation for the procedure.

It's said that I need to have someone come to collect me.
How strict are the hospitals on this measure?

You see my partner will be working or at the rate that covid is flying about he will probably have covid and will need to isolate. I don't have anyone else to help me to meet me after my procedure and take me home.

With covid, I doubt they will request to see your lift stand that on the ward to pick you up. I reckon they will have to remain outside.

Would I be able to get the procedure done without a lift home? How strict are hospitals on this?

OP posts:
Copasetic · 01/01/2022 14:27

I'm having a colonoscopy on the 9th January. I was going to have it done with gas and air for this reason.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 14:27

My brother in law is finished work at 6. He might be able to swing by the hospital and pick me up and take me home.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 14:30

I'm getting an information pack in the mail so that should be with me Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. I will see what the mail says. Hopefully there's an option to do without sedation.

OP posts:
cobblers123 · 01/01/2022 14:35

I was in overnight four times as I live alone.

This was fortunate as on one occasion I had a bleed in the night. Thank goodness for the duty ward doc and the nurses who temporarily treated the problem until early the following morning when it was finally sorted out, I'd have been in a right mess if I had been at home.

gogohm · 01/01/2022 14:45

My exh was basically handed over to me and I was given a list of things to watch for after minor surgery, this was pre covid though. The nurse called me after the procedure and told me to fetch him and he wasn't to be left alone for 24 hours

gogohm · 01/01/2022 14:47

Ps I've had procedures which usually involve sedation without because I'm a control freak, I'd rather take pain and discomfort than meds

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 14:51

@gogohm

My exh was basically handed over to me and I was given a list of things to watch for after minor surgery, this was pre covid though. The nurse called me after the procedure and told me to fetch him and he wasn't to be left alone for 24 hours
My family aren't really going to care for me after the procedure. I live with them and they will be company but they won't be any caring for me at all.

In fact my mom is getting nervous due to the rising covid cases and she's doesn't want me to go ahead because she thinks there's covid flying about every where.

OP posts:
AlbertBridge · 01/01/2022 14:52

You'd be fine having this without sedation. I've had cameras in every hole now! Fanny, nose, throat, arse.) All without sedation, and they're all fine. The bum is the easiest one, probably.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 14:58

@AlbertBridge

You'd be fine having this without sedation. I've had cameras in every hole now! Fanny, nose, throat, arse.) All without sedation, and they're all fine. The bum is the easiest one, probably.
Oh my goodness - your list of fanny, nose, throat and arse is so funny. I hope you are well.

Honestly I think I may be ok without sedation so long as I have gas and air to breath on.

I had monthly periods that were so sore and crampy that led to so much toilet trips and it would go on for hours and hours. I had some period tummy cramps and spasms that floored me. Half an hour on a bed with gas and air would be a breeze.

OP posts:
maudmoon · 01/01/2022 15:06

Am I correct in thinking you're having a colonoscopy OP? Are you having anything removed like a polyp? If so you won't need after care from your family. You might have a bit of discomfort for a few days after but you won't need someone to care for you. It's just because of the sedation they want someone with your for a few hours afterwards. My trust recommend 8 hours.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 15:12

@maudmoon

Am I correct in thinking you're having a colonoscopy OP? Are you having anything removed like a polyp? If so you won't need after care from your family. You might have a bit of discomfort for a few days after but you won't need someone to care for you. It's just because of the sedation they want someone with your for a few hours afterwards. My trust recommend 8 hours.
That's right. I'm getting a colonoscopy. It's too investigate some issues I had last summer. I wasn't feeling well last summer with some pain in my tummy and back with fever. It was originally thought to be a uti but my doctor found pain over the colon when she pressed on my abdomin.

I don't have any known polyps but they are usually silent and hidden anyways. The colonoscopy should show more.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 15:13

My issue is getting home after the procedure of I go for sedation. I really don't want sedation though.

OP posts:
PostMenPatWithACat · 01/01/2022 15:13

When I had a colonoscopy a few years ago the hospital were very strict and said I couldn't go home alone or in a taxi and needed someone with me for 24 hours. DH collected me and went to work the following morning. I was quite tired.

In the summer I had conscious sedation for a closed reduction for a badly broken wrist having waited in A&E for 12 hours. The hospital couldn’t have given a flying fuck frankly. I wasn't even offered a glass of water after being nil by mouth for 15 hours. DH was with me but nobody inquired how we would be getting home or said I needed someone with me for 24 hours and I was in a farcwirse state than after the colonoscopy.

After surgery three days later and a GA, dd collected me from the waiting room but to be fair I could have walked straight out and called a cab and nobody would have noticed.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 15:15

I have the week in advance planned out to eat small and light and soft foods and avoid seeds for 2 or 3 days before the prep day. I plan on having a lot of water on prep day and coconut water and bone broths. Hopefully that will help with minimising any headache and dehydration.

OP posts:
Buzzer3555 · 01/01/2022 15:32

I had a colonoscopy without sedation..it was uncomfortable but better than the after effects of sedation. I went home almost straight afterwards.

liltreasuretree · 01/01/2022 15:49

I used to work on a day case unit booking in patients for scopes and nursing them post op.
Very very few patients went without sedation for a colonoscopy, it can be quite painful and they require you to lie still so they don't cause you any damage with the camera.
We would also take the details of the person collecting you whilst being booked in. The surgeon can refuse to do the procedure if you turn up without arranging someone to collect you.
The hospital will contact the person collecting you when you are ready to go home who will need to sit in with you and the discharging nurse to be given post op instructions/advice. If it turns out that you have lied and said someone is collecting you when they aren't then they will arrange a bed for you to stay in hospital overnight.

Natsku · 01/01/2022 15:54

If you can get gas and air instead I would opt for that, it is such good stuff for relaxing you and making you ignore the pain. I've had two colonoscopies without sedation (well the second time was supposed to be with sedation but they didn't give enough of the drugs) and it was very very uncomfortable, and painful, but I have a low pain threshold, but I'd think I'd have handled it with gas and air (not an option where I am unfortunately :( )

PostMenPatWithACat · 01/01/2022 15:56

@liltreasuretree I believe that to force a patient to stay overnight would require proof of incapacity and otherwise the patient can discharge themselves against medical advice.

liltreasuretree · 01/01/2022 15:59

@PostMenPatWithACat Of course they wouldn't be forced to stay but the surgeon wouldn't do the procedure in the first place if they knew beforehand they had no aftercare for 12 hours post op. Certainly that's how it works in my trust anyway. I can't understand why somebody would want to go against medical advise anyway

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 16:01

@liltreasuretree

I used to work on a day case unit booking in patients for scopes and nursing them post op. Very very few patients went without sedation for a colonoscopy, it can be quite painful and they require you to lie still so they don't cause you any damage with the camera. We would also take the details of the person collecting you whilst being booked in. The surgeon can refuse to do the procedure if you turn up without arranging someone to collect you. The hospital will contact the person collecting you when you are ready to go home who will need to sit in with you and the discharging nurse to be given post op instructions/advice. If it turns out that you have lied and said someone is collecting you when they aren't then they will arrange a bed for you to stay in hospital overnight.
Thank you for your helpful post and thank you for all of the replies in the post.

I haven't a clue what to do. I want to go without sedation but I think I will opt in.

I talked to my mom and she said I'm going to need to get a taxi. She won't be meeting me. So I am on my own from any help with the family.
My partner is working.

I can see if any of the neighbours will be free to pick me up. I doubt it.

I might just cancel closer to the time and pretend covid although that isn't wise.

I am being investigated due to being sick last summer. Its suspected I have a colon colitis condition.

OP posts:
alrightfella · 01/01/2022 16:06

For the millionth time why can't your partner take the day off work? Do you not have any friends? I find threads like these so bizarre.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 16:07

[quote liltreasuretree]@PostMenPatWithACat Of course they wouldn't be forced to stay but the surgeon wouldn't do the procedure in the first place if they knew beforehand they had no aftercare for 12 hours post op. Certainly that's how it works in my trust anyway. I can't understand why somebody would want to go against medical advise anyway[/quote]
It's not about going against medical advice. I have limited options in getting help after the procedure if I opt in for sedation. I sti8dont know what way my hospital goes on the sedation.

I read a local forum, a different one but more local and apparently going without sedation is an option. It said online it's nearly preferred to go without because it cuts down on costs for the hospital.

I will wait for the information pack to arrive in the mail and see how I get on.

OP posts:
20viona · 01/01/2022 16:10

Yes we are super strict where I work and we have to have a conversation with the person taking you home and they have to sign that they stay with you for 24 hours.

FestiveFuckery · 01/01/2022 16:10

They wouldn't even let me out of the door until they saw DPs car. He got lost in the car park as I was in a different part of the hospital to where he dropped me and they wouldn't let me walk to him. Don't ask them for timings either. DP had planned a whole day out with DD as they said no way I would be needing collection before 5. It was about 11am so their plans were scuppered. I asked if I could get a taxi and they said no.

They can keep you overnight if there's no other option.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 01/01/2022 16:12

@alrightfella

For the millionth time why can't your partner take the day off work? Do you not have any friends? I find threads like these so bizarre.
Hes being a dick. I mentioned the word colonoscopy and he shut down the conversation. He didn't want to know. Besides I can't rely on me. Not right now. He works in a bar and covid cases are rising quickly. He's probably going to be a covid close contact soon or maybe he will become symptomatic. I can't rely on him. I do have friends but it's not a big friend circle. We live apart and no where close and nearby.
OP posts:
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