7. Sending for Patients

7.1 Each operating room is provided with an appropriate list. The Anaesthetist decides at what time the patient will be sent for. An exception is during short, quick cases where the Anaesthetic Nurse will organise and send for patients.

7.2 The Anaesthetic Nurse will ring the ward to check with nursing staff whether the patient is ready to come to operating suite and to make sure the premedication is given, if ordered. The name of the member of ward staff is to be recorded.

7.3 The Anaesthetic Nurse contacts reception and gives the details to the receptionist. The receptionist will collect the appropriate patient slip and send a porter to collect the patient from the ward.

7.4 The Anaesthetic Nurse should inform the receptionist, the check-in-nurse and Day Only Ward of any changes, additions and alterations of the list prior to sending for the patient.

7.5 If repeated short cases are being done, it may be justifiable to send for two patients (but no more) in the interest of avoiding a delay to the list.

7.6 All patients awaiting anaesthesia must do so in an anaesthetic room. Patients must not be left in a corridor, under any circumstances.