PATIENT INFORMATION
What should I bring to my pre-anaesthesia appointment?
Bring the following information and records to help your anaesthesiologist prepare your care.
Medicines
- A current list of every medicine you take, including the dose and when you take it. Photos of medicine strips or bottles can be useful.
- Insulin details, inhalers, eye drops, patches, injections and medicines taken weekly or monthly.
- All vitamins, herbal products, Ayurvedic/homeopathic preparations and gym or weight-loss supplements.
- Any medicine you have recently stopped or changed, and why.
If you cannot remember a medicine name, do not guess. Bring the strip, bottle, prescription or a photograph.
Reports and records
- Recent blood tests, ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, lung tests or specialist reports if you already have them.
- Discharge summaries from recent hospital admissions.
- A record of previous anaesthesia problems, difficult intubation or ICU care if available.
- Details of allergies and what reaction actually occurred.
Devices and equipment
- Your CPAP/BiPAP details if you have sleep apnoea.
- Information about pacemakers, defibrillators, stents or other implanted devices, including any device card.
- Glasses or hearing aids you need to read forms and follow the conversation.
Other useful things
- A list of questions you want to ask.
- A family member or friend, if you would like support or help remembering the information. Check your hospital’s policy on accompanying people.
- For children: their health records, vaccination card and a comfort item.