Two Kilkenny women lead new innovative programme to help patients prepare for surgery

Two Kilkenny women are at the forefront of an innovative new healthcare programme design to aid patients preparing for surgery.

Dr Maria Whelan and Siobhán Power are from Kilkenny City and Gowran, and with Tallaght University Hospital, they have just produced a series of short videos with key advice for patients scheduled to have surgery.

Malnutrition, frailty and cigarette smoking are all risk factors for poor outcomes after surgery. The materials have been developed as a way to educate and empower patients to reduce these very changeable risk factors.

Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time for patients, having access to these materials clearly outlines things they can do, turning waiting time into preparation time, giving patients better results during and after surgery. The series focuses on some of the most important ways patients can help themselves.

Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon Maria Whelan says surgical prehabilitation is a way to prepare physically and mentally to meet the challenge of surgery.

“It has been shown that following a surgical prehabilitation programme reduces the risk of developing complications such as chest infections and wound infections,” she said.

“The stronger you are before surgery, the faster you will heal and recover. Just like athletes need to train before a big event, people who are going to have surgery also need to get ready.”

Clinical Specialist Dietitian Siobhán Power says it usually takes at least four to six weeks of prehab to see the most benefits, but it is never too late to start.

“Eating well is an important step in getting ready for surgery,” she said.

“Good food provides the right fuel to fight infection and heal wounds so that you can recover faster. Protein is a building block that keeps muscles strong, fights infection and helps wounds heal. Patients getting ready for surgery need even more protein than usual.”

The materials will be accessible from the Department of Surgery page on the hospital website, the hospital YouTube channel with QR codes included in letters to patients about their scheduled surgery. Funding for the initiative was made available via the HSE Spark Ignite Programme which is supported by the National Quality Improvement Team, the Nursing & Midwifery Services Director and the National Health & Social Care Professions Office.