An emergency surgery is a one that must be performed immediately and without which a person might die or be permanently harmed.
1Intake Assessment BeginsJim Cummins / Getty ImagesUpon arriving at the emergency room, the emergency staff will begin to assess the person’s condition. This will include takingvital signs, reviewing symptoms, performing a physical exam, and taking a history of the person’s past and present illnesses, allergies, and medication use.If the patient is critically ill, treatment may begin immediately alongside the intake assessment. If needed, the person may be stabilized with medications, transfusions, intravenous fluids, other types of emergency interventions.In most cases, the nursing staff will initiate venous access (inserting an IV line into a vein) to enable the rapid delivery of medications.
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Intake Assessment BeginsJim Cummins / Getty ImagesUpon arriving at the emergency room, the emergency staff will begin to assess the person’s condition. This will include takingvital signs, reviewing symptoms, performing a physical exam, and taking a history of the person’s past and present illnesses, allergies, and medication use.If the patient is critically ill, treatment may begin immediately alongside the intake assessment. If needed, the person may be stabilized with medications, transfusions, intravenous fluids, other types of emergency interventions.In most cases, the nursing staff will initiate venous access (inserting an IV line into a vein) to enable the rapid delivery of medications.
Intake Assessment Begins
Jim Cummins / Getty Images
Upon arriving at the emergency room, the emergency staff will begin to assess the person’s condition. This will include takingvital signs, reviewing symptoms, performing a physical exam, and taking a history of the person’s past and present illnesses, allergies, and medication use.
If the patient is critically ill, treatment may begin immediately alongside the intake assessment. If needed, the person may be stabilized with medications, transfusions, intravenous fluids, other types of emergency interventions.
In most cases, the nursing staff will initiate venous access (inserting an IV line into a vein) to enable the rapid delivery of medications.
2Diagnostic Testing Before SurgeryFuse/Getty ImagesOnce the physical assessment is complete and the patient has been stabilized,diagnostic testsmay be ordered including X-rays, lab work,computed tomography (CT)scans,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scans,electrocardiograms (ECGs)to assess heart health,electroencephalograms (EEGs)to assess brain injury or check for seizures and other conditions.If the tests confirm the need for surgery, a surgeon will be immediately consulted. In larger hospitals, atraumaor general surgeon is usually available 24 hours a day and will typically perform their own assessment in the emergency room.
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Diagnostic Testing Before SurgeryFuse/Getty ImagesOnce the physical assessment is complete and the patient has been stabilized,diagnostic testsmay be ordered including X-rays, lab work,computed tomography (CT)scans,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scans,electrocardiograms (ECGs)to assess heart health,electroencephalograms (EEGs)to assess brain injury or check for seizures and other conditions.If the tests confirm the need for surgery, a surgeon will be immediately consulted. In larger hospitals, atraumaor general surgeon is usually available 24 hours a day and will typically perform their own assessment in the emergency room.
Diagnostic Testing Before Surgery
Fuse/Getty Images
Once the physical assessment is complete and the patient has been stabilized,diagnostic testsmay be ordered including X-rays, lab work,computed tomography (CT)scans,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scans,electrocardiograms (ECGs)to assess heart health,electroencephalograms (EEGs)to assess brain injury or check for seizures and other conditions.
If the tests confirm the need for surgery, a surgeon will be immediately consulted. In larger hospitals, atraumaor general surgeon is usually available 24 hours a day and will typically perform their own assessment in the emergency room.
3Emergency Transfer to Another FacilityBlend Images/ER Productions Ltd / Getty ImagesDepending on the type of hospital a person is taken to, a transfer to another facility may be needed. Small or rural hospitals often do not have either the specialists or technical capabilities to perform certain surgeries.In such a case, the emergency room will coordinate a transfer once the patient is stabilized, typically within an hour or less. Transportation may involve an ambulance or helicopter with trained staff onboard to help facilitate the safe transfer.
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Emergency Transfer to Another FacilityBlend Images/ER Productions Ltd / Getty ImagesDepending on the type of hospital a person is taken to, a transfer to another facility may be needed. Small or rural hospitals often do not have either the specialists or technical capabilities to perform certain surgeries.In such a case, the emergency room will coordinate a transfer once the patient is stabilized, typically within an hour or less. Transportation may involve an ambulance or helicopter with trained staff onboard to help facilitate the safe transfer.
Emergency Transfer to Another Facility
Blend Images/ER Productions Ltd / Getty Images
Depending on the type of hospital a person is taken to, a transfer to another facility may be needed. Small or rural hospitals often do not have either the specialists or technical capabilities to perform certain surgeries.
In such a case, the emergency room will coordinate a transfer once the patient is stabilized, typically within an hour or less. Transportation may involve an ambulance or helicopter with trained staff onboard to help facilitate the safe transfer.
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Preparing for Surgery
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Other medications are then given to prevent any movement and to ensure the person sleeps through the entire procedure. The anesthesiologist will remain on hand to continuously monitor vital signs.
If necessary, the anesthesiologist will place either additional IV lines or a single larger line (called a central line) into the patient’s neck or groin to deliver different medications simultaneously.
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Undergoing Surgery
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The nature of the surgery and illness will dictate how many surgeons are needed and how long the operation will take. If needed, transfusions may be ordered to better stabilize the patient during the procedure. Typically, IV fluids are given during the surgery to compensate for any loss of blood and body fluids.
6Recovery After SurgeryMorsa Images / Getty ImagesWhen the surgery is completed, the person will be transported to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) if they are stable. The patient will typically be groggy until the anesthesia wears off. During this recovery phase, the person’s vital signs will be closely monitored and pain medication prescribed as needed.Once the patient is alert and the anesthesia has worn off, he or she will be transported to a hospital room to begin healing. Those who are unstable or in need of constant monitoring will be taken to theintensive care unit (ICU).Individuals with critical injuries may need to remain on the ventilator until they are strong enough to breathe on their own. Others may require additional surgeries or medical procedures.
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Recovery After SurgeryMorsa Images / Getty ImagesWhen the surgery is completed, the person will be transported to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) if they are stable. The patient will typically be groggy until the anesthesia wears off. During this recovery phase, the person’s vital signs will be closely monitored and pain medication prescribed as needed.Once the patient is alert and the anesthesia has worn off, he or she will be transported to a hospital room to begin healing. Those who are unstable or in need of constant monitoring will be taken to theintensive care unit (ICU).Individuals with critical injuries may need to remain on the ventilator until they are strong enough to breathe on their own. Others may require additional surgeries or medical procedures.
Recovery After Surgery
Morsa Images / Getty Images
When the surgery is completed, the person will be transported to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) if they are stable. The patient will typically be groggy until the anesthesia wears off. During this recovery phase, the person’s vital signs will be closely monitored and pain medication prescribed as needed.
Once the patient is alert and the anesthesia has worn off, he or she will be transported to a hospital room to begin healing. Those who are unstable or in need of constant monitoring will be taken to theintensive care unit (ICU).
Individuals with critical injuries may need to remain on the ventilator until they are strong enough to breathe on their own. Others may require additional surgeries or medical procedures.
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Rehabilitation and Discharge
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Recovery times can vary and may include rehabilitation therapy. Those in ICU will remain there until they are able to breathe without assistance. Antibiotics may be prescribed toprevent infectionand various pain medications may be used to help control pain.
The nursing staff will provideincision careduring the hospital stay and teach the patient how to properly care for the wound once he or she is home. The hospital discharge procedure will begin once the physician is assured that the person is amply recovered. If needed, home health care will be ordered to assist with the transition or to provide ongoing care.
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