Patients rights before surgery

[Thumby]

Let me start off saying I had labrum surgery and it went well except afterwards when I called the Dr and cursed him out.I really didn't want the surgery but had no choice.While I was in the prep room with the nurse I stated I was scared and didn't want to go through with it and asked to see the Dr but the anestiologist gave me something he said would calm me down and thats all I remember.I wanted to ask who will be in the room and can any hospital staff just walk in.Do I have the right to know who is involved and if I'm not comfortable with anybody involved can I have the excluded and not just told they were?I was nervous for a few reasons 1) Being naked in front of multiple people.Yeah I know they've seen it all and your going to tell me to grow up but I'm just not comfortable and some are just this way.2) Being vulnerable .Seeing the staff before surgery and knowing who was there would of eased the discomfort I still have.Is it normal not seeing your Dr or staff before a surgery?

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

From what I've heard (I didn't work OR, but had to deliver things down there once in a while, and have had surgeries), and seen...

...they keep you covered as much as possible- and only keep the area to be operated on exposed. This isn't only a modesty issue but infection control, and temperature control - O.R.s that I've seen have been pretty chilly.

---the only people who come in to an OR have a specific reason to be there- opening the door constantly is another infection control issue.

...considering this was on your shoulder, you would have been covered up fairly well.

It's not silly to not want to be exposed, or be uncomfortable to feel vulnerable. Surgery is always a big deal to the person having it done on them :)

You do have the right to refuse surgery, and to ask questions - preferably before you get to the pre-op area.

As far as seeing your doc before surgery, I've seen it done both ways- some docs don't stop to see patients, because they're in with someone else- and they should have talked to you before you got to the surgery.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Eh, I presume you joined in order to air this question.....

You have the right to refuse surgery, but you should have spoken to your doctor before landing in the pre-op area. If you'd already signed consent, the anaesthesiologist could be excused for thinking you just had some pre-op "nerves".

Nobody in their right mind likes going for surgery, so it's understandable that you should be unhappy about it. No patient in OR is left exposed unnecessarily, only the surgical area. The rest is draped. The anaesthesiologist confines his/her attention to the patient's head and the machine monitors. The circulating nurse is kept busy connecting equipment and opening packs for the Scrub RN/Technician. The only person who actually has time for a detailed inspection of your anatomy is your surgeon.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

It's wise to ask as many questions as you need to in the preop consult before you sign the consent.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I had a procedure yesterday, and as part of the consent form it asked if I would grant permission for a student or doctor (intern) to be present. Without my permission, it wouldn't have happened. I was given a copy of all forms I signed. If the OP also was given a copy of these forms, look through the consent and see if there is any mention of students/observing doctors being present.

It is every patient's right to revoke consent AT ANY TIME, even if a consent form has been signed. I realize the patient's fear probably came at a very inconvenient time, but if he revoked consent, the doctor should have been summoned/and or the pre-surgical preparations suspended until he saw the doctor.

That said, calling the doctor "and cursing him out" sounds extremely inappropriate, as the surgeon probably had NO IDEA about the conversation the patient had with the anesthesiologist. Unless I misunderstood and he was referring to the anesthesiologist; even so that kind of communication rarely gets the intended result.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

You need to follow up with your surgeon for any concerns you may have.

We cannot provide an evaluation of your case.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I am sorry you will need to review this with your surgeon, we cannot offer any legal advice on this site.