Operation Preparation

In the final episode of Season 4, the PAAC team explores perioperative care and cancer support and resouces. This episode features the Irish Cancer Society with Director of Clinical Affairs Amy Nolan and breast cancer survivor Anna. This episodes describes the Irish Cancer Society’s services and resources, funded by donations, including transport, night nursing, counselling, support lines, daffodi...

In this episode the team are joined by guest speaker, paediatric Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Intensivist Dr Suzane Crowe and the PAAC team focuses on preparing children and families for surgery. This episode outlines what happens on the day, including admission, play therapy support and meeting the theatre staff. They describe anaesthesia options such as face mask or IV cannula induction, mon...

In this episode, the PAAC team focuses on the role of The Pain Team in managing your pain after surgery with guest speakers Dr Aine O Gara -consultant in Pain Medicine - and Pain Clinical Nurse Specialist Lynn O Donnell. They explain how specialists use techniques such as epidurals, nerve blocks, and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), alongside oral and IV medications, to provide individualized p...

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon Ms Rebecca Weedle, Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthetist Dr Lauren O Callaghan and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Stephie Keating guide listeners through the most common types of lung surgeries and what to expect before, during and after surgery. Beginning in the surgical out patient department, to the thoracic pre-assessment clinic, to theatre and recovery, this ep...

In this episode, the team explains what to expect when having heart surgery. Listeners are guided through the journey from consultation, pre-assessment, hospital admission, surgery involving a heart-lung machine and specialist teams. Recovery begins in ICU, with early movement encouraged with an average hospital stay of about a week. Patients receive follow-up care and cardiac rehabilitation to su...

Season 4’s first episode of Operation Preparation , welcomes guest expert Prof. Ellen O Sullivan and airway fellow Dr Robbie Hollingsworth to explain ‘ Awake Intubation ’, a procedure where a breathing tube is placed using a flexible camera, before a patient is put fully to sleep for surgery. The episodes explains in detail why this technique can be sometimes necessary and includes an interview wi...

The 10th episode in ‘Operation Preparation’ helps to clarify for listeners the difference between the types of ‘lines and tubes’ used to help monitor and keep patients safe during and after their surgery. Waking up to an abundance of these different lines and tubes can be overwhelming and cause anxiety. This episode aims to clarify the reasons why these different ‘lines and tubes’ are necessary an...

Guest speakers Consultant Surgeon in Upper Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Ms Claire Donohoe and Clinical Nurse Specialist Jenny Moore talk about two major operations -  oesophagectomy  and  gastrectomy  - surgeries to remove part or all of the oesophagus (food pipe) or stomach. These are complex but carefully planned procedures, carried out by a specialist surgical team to tre...

This episode explains how anaesthesia is safely used during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and other surgeries during pregnancy. Guest speakers consultant anaesthesiologist Dr Noelle Healy and Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Ms Raji Dominic, from the Coombe Hospital Dublin, describe the different types of anaesthesia — including epidurals, spinal blocks, and general anaesthesia - and h...

This episode takes you behind the doors of the Intensive Care Unit - a place that can seem daunting, but is designed for your safety and recovery. Guest speakers consultant anaesthesiologist Carrie Murphy and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Louise Mullen explain what the ICU is, who might need to be there, and what kind of care and monitoring happens around the clock. They’ll also share tips for patie...

The PAAC team explore how physiotherapists support patients before and after surgery to help achieve the best possible recovery. Guest physiotherapist, Niamh Mc Carthy, explains the importance of prehabilitation - exercises and education that prepare your body for surgery - and how rehabilitation after surgery helps to improve recovery, regain movement, strength, and confi...

In this episode, the PAAC team explore regional anaesthesia — what it is, how it works, and when it’s used. Guest anaesthesiologist, Dr Ben Atterton, explains how this type of anaesthetic can numb specific areas of the body while keeping you awake and comfortable during surgery and recovery. He discusses the different types of regional blocks, what to expect before and after the procedur...

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! In this episode, the team explore how quitting smoking before surgery can have benefits to your health, even in as little as 24 hours. This episode’s guest, Clinical Nurse Specialist Carmel Doherty, explains how smoking affects anaesthesia, wound healing, infection risk, and shares her top tips for quitting smoking before your operation.   For more in...

In the final episode of season 2, the team explains how a general anaesthetic works and answers some questions sent in by listeners to alleviate common fears.   For more information: Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website: www.stjames.ie/operationpreparation .   Email us questions/topics you would like us to cover here at; operationpreparation@stjames.ie...

Pain and Your Recovery, explained in episode 11 of ‘Operation Preparation’ aims to show patients how immediate post operative pain is managed by the anaesthetic team. Good pain management is key to a good recovery!   For more information: Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website: www.stjames.ie/operationpreparation   Email us questions/topics you woul...

In episode 9, the PAAC team talk about the Recovery Room and what to expect when you are waking up from surgery. Listen to this episode to learn more about what a typical recovery room looks and sounds like, how common side effects are managed and how you can be the best advocate in your own immediate post operative care.   Find a video of a typical recovery room here: https://vimeo.com/10174...

In episode 8 of ‘Operation Preparation’ our hosts explain the importance of knowing and understanding your medications and medication management around the time of your surgery. The team highlight how a detailed list of your medications will be sought out as part of your individualised care, followed by clear pre and post operative instructions.   For more information: Check out the Operation...

Episode 7 explains why patients fast before their procedure. Listen here to gain more of an understanding of fasting that will help decrease the risk of avoidable delays and cancellations to your surgery.   For more information: Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website: www.stjames.ie/operationpreparation   Email us questions/topics you would like us to co...

In its seasonal finale, the team explore how patients can improve their health before they have surgery, and highlights the importance of involving PAAC in the pre-operative journey. Seeing delays and cancellations reduced, and outcomes improved. Patients who are awaiting their surgery are also encouraged to visit the 'Steps for a Stronger Start' webpage.   For more information: Check out the...

This episode of 'Operation Preparation' the team discuss the journey of an in-patient and DOSA patients. This episode discusses the various ways a patients can be admitted before their surgery, and what to expect in relation to fasting, medication guidance , as well as some top tips for your inpatient stay.   Find a video of the DOSA admissions process and theatre  here .   For more...

Episode four of 'Operation Preparation' will guide you through your Surgical Day Ward journey. The team begin by giving detailed to directions to the ward on St James's Hospital campus, followed by explaining fasting instructions and medication advice and discharge policy. This discussion explains what patients can expect from the time they are admitted until they are discharged to go home.  ...

Ahead of your upcoming operation it's important to be fully informed, in episode three of 'Operation Preparation', the team discuss the different types of anaesthesia that is available to patients. This includes the benefits and potential side effects of an anaesthetic, how common side effects are managed, how we keep you safe while you're asleep, the decision-making process and what to expect in...

Episode two of ‘Operation Preparation’ the team discuss what to expect at your PAAC appointment. Not knowing what to expect at an appointment can often be intimidating. In this episode the team discuss topics such as; Why you should attend the appointment, how you receive the appointment details, where to find the clinic, how to prepare for the appointment, what to expect along with other pieces o...

Welcome to the first episode of ‘Operation Preparation’, a podcast that aims to empower patients to take steps for a stronger start on their surgical journey. In episode one, we’re introduced to our hosts, the Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic Team at St James’s Hospital, and learn about each individual’s roles.    For more information: Check out the Operation Preparation 'Steps for A St...