Dr Frank Schneider

VIC - Melbourne Specialist Anaesthetist (MBChB FRCA FANZCA)

Pre-Op Questionnaire for Dr Frank Schneider Patient Experience Survey for Dr Frank Schneider

INTRODUCTION

Your surgeon has requested my presence as the anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. Anaesthetists are medical specialists with expertise in dealing with peri-operative patients, critically unwell patients, and acute pain management.

My anaesthetic qualifications and experience span South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia, and I am a fellow of both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA) and Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) in the United Kingdom, as well as an active member of multiple colleges and learned societies. I hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (cum laude), and post- graduate specialist qualifications in anaesthetics, education and technology in clinical practice and advanced peri-operative transesophageal echocardiography.

My current public appointment is as a staff specialist anaesthetist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where I provide anaesthesia for a broad range of specialties, with interests in cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery and anaesthesia for cardiology procedures. I am a certified Advanced Life Support instructor and teach on resuscitation and advanced airway courses regularly, as well as participate as faculty at national and international meetings.

I speak fluent English, Spanish, German and Afrikaans and conversational French and Portuguese. I am an avid scuba-diver and snowboarder, and love to travel with my family when time allows.

ABOUT YOUR ANAESTHETIC

Not all anaesthetics are the same. Therefore, to provide you with the safest and most effective anaesthetic, it is essential that I have your full medical and surgical history. In order to assist with this, please complete my Pre-Op Questionnaire.

Prior to your procedure, I will have a discussion with you regarding the anaesthetic options available. Anaesthesia is the absence of awareness and pain sensation in part or all of your body, and there are various ways to achieve anaesthesia depending on your procedure, personal medical background and needs. These may include conscious sedation (a state of calm sensation), regional anaesthesia (part of the body is made “numb”), general anaesthesia (completely “asleep”) or some combination. Whichever anaesthetic option we pursue, as your anaesthetist I will remain with you throughout the procedure to care for you.

More information about anaesthesia in general and for your specific procedure can be found here:
https://www.anzca.edu.au/patient-information/anaesthesia-information-for-patients-and-carers

ANAESTHETIC INSTRUCTIONS

Before Your Procedure

Fasting

The presence of food or drink in the stomach is dangerous both during and after an anaesthetic, so it is important that you fast for the appropriate period prior to your procedure:

• Morning Operations: No food, drink or chewing gum after midnight prior to the operation.
• Afternoon Operations: No food, drink or chewing gum after a light breakfast (tea & toast) at 07h00.

You may have small sips of water only (for comfort) right until they collect you for theatre.

Smoking

Smoking – which includes the uses of vapes - is a major risk factor during surgery and you should ideally stop smoking at least six to eight weeks before surgery. If you are not able to stop, you should at least ensure that you have not smoked for at least 24 hours prior to surgery. Nicotine patches can be used as needed.

Medication

Regular medications should be continued prior to the operation. If you take a regular medication in the morning, this should be taken with a small sip of water upon wakening unless you have been asked otherwise by myself or the surgical team.

EXCEPTION: No oral diabetic medication should be taken. Please inform your surgeon if you are taking aspirin or are diabetic.

After Your Procedure

• You should NOT drive or sign any important documents
• There should be a responsible adult to monitor you for 24 hours.
• Most patients need simple analgesia like paracetamol (Panadol®) and ibuprofen (Nurofen®) for 3- 5 days with some strong pain killer for 1-2 days. The nurses and I will explain to you further pain management for stronger pain killers like a PCA or morphine-like medications.

RISKS OF ANAESTHESIA

Although you can be 100% sure that the standard of anaesthesia care in Australia is second to none, there are always risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. The risks increase with complexity of surgery, age and the presence or severity of other medical problems.

Possible side effects include:

• More commonly: nausea and vomiting, sore throat, IV pain, muscle aches and sedation.
• Medication side effects from pain killers: drowsiness, itch, constipation, nausea.
• Very rarely, severe complications can also occur including heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm, respiratory problems, such as pneumonia, allergic reactions, awareness 0.04%, eye injury, tooth damage, stroke, nerve or spinal cord injury and death.

If you have any queries regarding your anaesthetic, please contact me. Most people enjoy the experience and wake up clear headed and well.

ANAESTHETIC FEES

Your anaesthetic fees are calculated in accordance with guidelines from the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. The fee is based on the complexity and duration of your procedure and care, including additional monitoring that may be required. Your health fund may fully or partially cover this fee. In the case of partial coverage, you will be required to pay the difference; this is known as the out-of-pocket cost. In general, BUPA, Medibank or AHSA have lower out-of-pocket costs than health funds offering lower rebates, for example, LHS and MDH.

Uninsured patients - the full account is to be paid by the patient prior to the procedure and any applicable rebates will be returned to you by Medicare after your procedure.

ESTIMATE OF OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS:

The expected out-of-pocket cost range is usually $0 - $500. This may vary for more complex or extended cases. My fees are lower than those recommended by the Australian Medical Association.

ENQUIRIES

I will be happy to discuss any procedural concerns when we meet in person and look forward to meeting with you.

Please direct billing enquiries to my office: 03 7040 8172

After your procedure I would appreciate you taking just a few minutes to fill out my Patient Experience Survey. Your answers are completely anonymous and will help me greatly in improving care for patients in the future.

Kind regards,
Dr Frank Schneider