Preparation for the anesthesia includes the emotional aspect for both child and parent/s. The Unit also addresses this element of the procedure.
Parental Preparation
Parents’ emotional readiness for their child’s operation is no less important than the child’s. Parents need to be focused and attentive to their child’s needs even though they themselves may be nervous or apprehensive about their child’s health before and after the operation. The Unit’s recommendation to parents – convey a feeling of positivity and optimism to the child.
With older children, parents can share medical information and explain the anesthetizing process in engaging fashion – “This is what will happen while you’re asleep…”
Medical Deployment for Choosing the Type of Anesthetic
Often the anesthetist will meet the child before the operation to understand and assess the child’s situation and medical history. In a planned operation the doctor will ask about any background illnesses or whether the child has had any recent conditions accompanied by coughing, temperature, etc. If the child has indeed been ill lately, it is preferable to postpone the operation. Such symptoms are liable to cause complications in the air passages and unnecessary infections. In an emergency operation, the anesthetizing team will meet the child at short notice and make immediate decisions about operational and anesthetic options.
Fasting
Children – like adults – must fast before an operation. Fasting is important to prevent complications arising from recently eaten food. Children generally need to fast six hours before an operation. Babies who are only breastfeeding need four hours. Babies eating special baby food compounds should fast six hours from their last meal. Children (again, like adults) are allowed to drink clear liquids up to two hours before the operation.
Accompanying the Child to the Operating Theater
Children above the age of 6 months can go into the operating theater accompanied by one parent until the anesthetizing stage. Parents cannot accompany infants younger than 6 months, although a medical clown can accompany the child to the anesthetizing stage.
Releasing Tension
When the child is afraid of the operation, the anesthetist will sometimes give him or her a calming drug so that the child is in an optimal operational state. The hospital’s medical clowns are around the operating theaters all day and offer relief through humor or by chatting to the child. The clowns inspire a sense of comedy and allow the child to feel safe and protected.