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 confidence.

For more information: 

Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website here, where transcripts of this episode can be found. You can visit the PAAC webpage here and the St James's Hospital website here.

View the Prehab Video Demo.

View the Active Breathing Cycle Technique Video.

View the exercise leaflet.

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

GP: General Practitioner

ACBT: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray. Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 procedure, and how this approach can help with pain control and recovery. You will also hear from patient ‘Grace’ who shares her experience of having a regional anaesthetic in The South Dublin Surgical Hub.

For more information: 

Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website here, where transcripts of this episode can be found. You can visit the PAAC webpage here and the St James's Hospital website here.

View the video of a regional anaesthetic procedure here.

Email the team with questions/topics you would like us to cover here at [email protected].

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

GP: General Practitioner

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray. Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 information:

Check out the Operation Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website here, where transcripts of this episode can be found. You can visit the PAAC webpage here and the St James's Hospital website here.

Visit the Quit Smoking Website.

St James Hospital Stop Smoking Information

National Stop Smoking Quitline: 1800 201 203

Email the team with questions/topics you would like covered at [email protected].

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

GP: General Practitioner

NRT: Nicotine Replacement Therapy 

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray. Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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; [email protected].

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Visit our PAAC page: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic | St James's Hospital

St James' Hospital Website: https://www.stjames.ie

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

GA – General anaesthetic

IV – Intravenous

ET – endotracheal

LMA – laryngeal mask airway

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray.

Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 would like us to cover here at; [email protected].

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Visit our PAAC page: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic | St James's Hospital

St James' Hospital Website: https://www.stjames.ie

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory

PCA: Patient Controlled Analgesia

PRN: as needed (pro re nata)

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray.

Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/1017477482

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; [email protected].

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Visit our PAAC page: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic | St James's Hospital

St James' Hospital Website: https://www.stjames.ie

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray.

Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Preparation ‘Steps For A Stronger Start’ website: www.stjames.ie/operationpreparation

Know Check Ask leaflet: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/nqpsd/patient-safety-programme/medication-safety/my-medicine-list.pdf

My Health App: https://www2.hse.ie/health-app/

Email us questions/topics you would like us to cover here at; [email protected].

The transcripts of this episode can be found here.

Visit our PAAC page: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic | St James's Hospital

St James' Hospital Website: https://www.stjames.ie

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

GP: General Practitioner

HSE: Health Service Executive

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray.

Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 cover here at; [email protected].

The transcripts of this episode can be found here.

Visit our PAAC page: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic | St James's Hospital

St James' Hospital Website: https://www.stjames.ie

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre-Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

NG: Nasogastric

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray.

Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Operation Preparation 'Steps for A Stronger Start' webpage here. The transcript of this episode can also be found here.

You can visit the PAAC webpage here and the St James's Hospital website here.

Email the team with questions/topics you would like us to cover here at [email protected].

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

HSE: Health Service Executive

ECG: electrocardiogram 

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray. Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 information: Check out the Operation Preparation 'Steps for A Stronger Start' webpage here. The Transcript of this episode can also be found here.

You can visit the PAAC webpage here and the St James's Hospital website here.

Email the team with questions/topics you would like us to cover here at [email protected].

Abbreviations:

PAAC: Pre Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic

DOSA: Day of Surgery Admission

ECG: Electrocardiogram

GP: General Practitioner 

This podcast is for general guidance and information only. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. Music created and recorded by Niall Malone & Mikey Murray. Recording & Sound Production by Kevin at Philtrum Pictures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.