SAFETY
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communicate with us directly. Sometimes the accompanying
adult on the day of surgery is a caregiver, sometimes a driver
from the treatment facility. Document the escort's role and
whether the patient has given you permission to speak with the
escort about post-op conditions.
Reassure patients upon pre-op admission
Our surgical team is adept at communicating with patients
in a way that preserves their dignity and privacy. Although we
don't want to solely focus on their addiction history, a direct con-
versation is the best way to approach patients in addiction recov-
ery. Our pre-op nurse will discuss the patient's recovery process
and concerns related to her surgical recovery. We're particularly
interested in the patient's anxiety level and her ability — or will-
ingness — to give an accurate medical history and follow post-op
instructions.
Upon admission, our pre-op staff also discusses a plan for pain
management and reassures the patient we'll listen to and address
her pain needs during her stay. Many patients are nervous about
receiving pain medications and prefer to abstain completely.
However, we remind them that not treating their pain proactively
can lead to further complications with their recovery. Their spon-
sors will typically have spoken with them about a "free day" in
which they temporarily suspend their recovery program to receive
medical care. We encourage them to contact their sponsors after
surgery and to stay in touch with their surgeon regarding post-oper-
ative pain management.
Finally, our pre-operative nurses ask the patient about the best
place for starting their intravenous lines. Those with a history of
intravenous drug abuse may be able to provide first-hand knowl-
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