What does it all mean?

Some of the words we use in the hospital are explained below as are some of the common things you will come across if you come to see us:

Referral - if necessary your dentist/doctor makes a referral, a request that you be seen by our department. We decide on how urgent the request is and make an appointment for you.

New Patient Clinic - This is your first visit to us and this takes place in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Dutchess Building (new building) on the first floor. See map. Limited clinics are also run at Bridgwater, Yeovil and Glastonbury.

New patient clinics are run by Consultants though you may see a Staff Grade Surgeon or SHO. At this visit you will be able to discuss your problems and concerns you will be examined and if tests are necessary they will be arranged/performed. There are then several options:

• Discharge - you will not need to see us again. A letter will be sent back to your dentist or doctor.
• You will be asked to return for a review (see below) appointment to reconsider your requirements.
• You may be offered an operation if appropriate - you will be asked to attend for a pre-operative assesment (see below)
• If you require more complicated tests these will be arranged.

It is adviseable to attend for this appointment with an accurate list of any medication you take. New patient clinics are very busy and we advise that some waiting will be inevitable (10-30mins).

Review Appointment - This again occurs in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Dutchess Building (new building) on the first floor. This appointment is an opportunity to measure your progress or find out how you are after you have had an operation. You will usually see an SHO though sometimes you will see a consultant.

Preoperative assessment clinic (POAC) - At this clinic patients who are due to have a general anesthetic are assessed so this carried out safely and efficiently.

Patients have their medically history reassed and appropriate tests carried out in light of the decision to have a general aneaesthetic. These clinics are led by experienced nurses, where necessary supported by an asthetist. Tests sometime include blood test and ECGs (heart tracings).
Currently these clinics are held at Musgrove Park and Yeovil hospitals. Please bring accurate lists of any medication you take.

Out Patient - This means you are being seen and/or treated but that you are not staying in the hospital, you might have had simple surgery such as a tooth removed or have had your operation but are now coming back for review appointments (see above).

Day Case Surgery - This is an operation that will not involve an overnight stay in hospital. The surgery may be carried out under local or general anesthesia. Usually surgery is carried out in the designated day units either at Musgrove Park or Yeovil Hospitals. Day surgery is also carried out in the Yeovil and Musgrove Hospital Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery departments these operations are carried out under local anesthesia. Sometimes it is necessary to keep people in hospital overnight, which is why we ask you to bring an overnight bag when you have day case surgery. If you are to go home the same day you need a responsible adult to take you home, by car, and look after you for 24 hours.

In Patient Surgery - This means you are having an operation where you will stay in hospital for sometime, it may be just one night it may be longer. The typical length of stay will be discussed at clinics with your surgeon.

Multidisplinary Team (MDT) meetings - These are meeting when the whole team looking after patients with a particular condition discusses individual patients to design patient care and inform the group of patient’s progress. These current include a team managing head and neck tumors, skin tumors and patients with jaw asymmetry (Orthognathic). The following people may all be involved:

• Surgeons (Maxfax/ENT)
• Oncologist (cancer specialist)
• H+N Radiologist (x-ray specialist)
• H+N Pathologist (specialist in study of disease processes)
• Speech therapy
• Specialist nurses
• Dieticians
• Terminal care eg. Macmillan support
• Dental & prosthetic support

Consent - This is when the clinician looking after your care asks you to sign a form giving your permission to have a procedure or operation. Before signing you should have explained to you (in language you understand) what is involved in the procedure. You should feel free to ask questions during the explanation. Discussion should involve:

• What is the operation?
• Why is it being done and when?
• What are the risks?
• Are there any alternatives to the operation e.g. medicines
• What happens if no operation or other treatment is chosen?
• How quickly will you recover?
• Will you be left with any long term consequences e.g. scars?

You will be offered a copy of the consent form you sign to keep if you wish. When you return to the hospital for the operation you should be asked to check your signature and to confirm that you are happy to have the treatment.

Intravenous Sedation - This is the use of a sedative drug direct into the vein which is used to help you cope with a procedure. You will still need local anesthetic. Patients will need to be escorted home after they have recovered by a responsible adult and should not drive operate machinery, sign paperwork or look after small children for 24 hours.