Your discharge plan following a whipples pancreas operation
Date issued: December 2017
For review: December 2019
Ref: C-341/Oncology/SH/Your dishcarge plan following a whipples pancreas operation
PDF: your discharge plan following whipples pancreas op [pdf] 131KB
Your surgeons and nurses are thinking about your discharge but we are aware there is a lot of recovery ahead and you may feel anxious about being at home.
You are very much in our minds at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, we are available by phone.
Any Problems or Concerns Please Call
Cancer Specialist Nurses:
Plymouth (Mon – Fri 9am-5pm)
Claire Goulding 01752 431527 Bleep 89663
(via Switchboard 01752 202082)
Liz Whitby 01752 431527 Bleep 89280
(via Switchboard 01752 202082)
Stonehouse Ward:
For out of hours/Weekends 01752 431489
Wolf Ward:
For out of hours/Weekends 01752 439677
Your GP surgery or local Cancer Specialist Nurse
Summary of Discharge Information
When will I be seen again?
Your Cancer Nurse Specialist (Plymouth) will call you once you are home to your check progress. You will be followed up 4-6 weeks after discharge. You will be seen by a Surgeon and told the outcome of your surgery and if any other treatment is required (chemotherapy). You may be followed up to 5 years, depending on your diagnosis.
Transport
Please think about transport arrangements for discharge, if you have any problems with this the nurse on the ward can arrange transport, there may be a charge.
Wounds
You may be discharged home with wound clips. You should be sent home with a clip remover and wound dressings. Either the ward nurse will arrange or you may be asked to arrange an appointment with your practice nurse or district nurse for the clips to be removed. These will need to be removed between 10-14 days post-surgery.
Drains
If you are discharged with an abdominal drain in place, you will have a follow up clinic for assessment of the drain in 1-2 weeks. When you empty the bag please make a note of the amount drained so the surgeons can make an assessment of whether to remove it at the clinic. Please ask for a replacement drainage bag. The ward nurse will arrange for a practice nurse or district nurse to check the skin around the drain and replace the bag if necessary.
Prevention of blood clots
You will be advised if blood thinning injections are appropriate for you post operation. These will start the day after surgery and continue for 28 days. The ward will discuss with you and your family whether you or a family member is able to give these daily injections. If no one is able to do this the ward will organise the practice nurse or district nurse to give them.
Medication
We endeavour to arrange for your medication to go home with you in a timely manner. Unfortunately, there may be a 4-6 hour wait for this from pharmacy. If medication has been stopped in hospital or there has been a change in medication, and you would like advice, you can call the Cancer Nurse Specialists (Plymouth) or your GP regarding this.
You will be sent home on the pain medication you are taking before discharge. Please take this as required to keep you comfortable before reducing the amount you take. If you find that once at home you have increased discomfort because you are more mobile please talk to your GP for advice. Some painkillers may cause constipation, in which case it may be helpful to take a gentle laxative.
Nutrition
If you would like further advice on nutrition, eating, and managing weight loss as a result of your surgery please contact your Cancer Nurse Specialists.
Written discharge summary
You will be given a copy of your discharge summary. This includes information about your operation and if you need follow up with your GP for further tests, for example blood tests or vaccinations, depending on the type of operation you have had. Your GP will also be sent a copy via the post or the ward nurse may ask you to deliver this to your GP if you are happy to. Your surgeons will also write to the doctors at your local hospital to update them about your operation.
Feeling unwell
If you feel unwell with symptoms of increased pain, temperature or vomiting, you should contact your Cancer Nurse Specialist (Plymouth), GP or Ward depending on time of day. In life threatening circumstances please visit your local Emergency Department. If you are admitted to a hospital other than Derriford Hospital please ask them to inform Derriford Hospital of your admission.
