- Schedule the preoperative visit at a time when the patient's support person can attend.
|
- Offer anxiolytic or hypnotic drug therapy to assist with sleep the night before and several weeks after surgery. Nightmares and flashbacks are common during this period.
|
- Offer an appointment with a hospital social worker prior to the surgery and possibly to be present in holding and recovery areas OR permit the patient's psychotherapist or other support person of choice to serve in this role.
|
- For female patients, ask the patient if an all-female team would reduce stress, and schedule if requested.
|
- Permit the patient to bring comforting object(s) and wear comfortable clothes.
|
- Arrange for a preoperative consultation with the anesthesia service and, when possible, with the anesthesiologist who will attend the patient's surgery.
|
- On the day of the procedure, ask if the anesthesia service could administer anxiolytic/amnestic medication intravenously as soon as possible in the holding area.
|
- If possible, hold the oxygen mask out of sight (the sight of a mask can be triggering to trauma survivors). Alternately, offer to let the patient hold the mask so she is in control.
|
- Request postoperative recovery in an isolation room with a recovery room nurse experienced in working with trauma survivors.
|
- Personally accompany the patient to and from the operating room so she will have a familiar presence, especially in the recovery room where dissociation may occur.
|
- Schedule the postoperative appointment at a time when the patient's support person can attend.
|
