Intravenous Sedation involves the use of small amount of anesthetic or similar drugs to produce a ‘sleepy like’ state. You will feel physically and mentally relaxed during the procedure. You may remember little or nothing about the operation. Just as the surgeon will perform your procedure, the anesthesiologist will administer the sedative drugs.

Pre-Procedure Test and Instructions 

Before the procedure, blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG) or chest X- ray may be ordered depending on your age and your general health. Do have a normal meal the night before the procedure but avoid excessive food. Do not consume any sedative drugs or alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to your procedure.

What to expect on the day of Procedure 

The anesthesiologists will assess your health to determine your fitness for procedure. They may choose to change the mode of anesthesia from IV sedation to general anesthesia, or even postpone the procedure depending on which is safer for you. 

In the operating theatre, your anesthesiologist will administer anesthetic or similar drugs via a cannula inserted in a vein on your upper limb before the surgery starts. 

Once an adequate level of sedation is achieved, your surgeon will proceed to perform the procedure for you. Throughout the procedure, the anesthesiologist will monitor and maintain your vital functions such as heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing as these may fluctuate during the procedure. 

If any sudden medical problems arise during the procedure, the anesthesiologist will make a diagnosis and treat them immediately. Your anesthesiologist will continue to care for you after the procedure is completed until you are awake. You will only be sent back to the Day Ward when your vital functions are stable and you have recovered from the sedation with good pain control.

Post- Procedure Care 

Detailed post-procedure instructions will be given to you upon discharge. 

You will need a responsible adult to accompany you home on discharge and to take care of you at home. 

You are strongly discouraged to drive a vehicle, operate heavy and potentially harmful machinery and make legally binding decision while under the influence of sedation. 

If you are deemed medically fit for discharge by the doctor but request for an extended stay beyond 5pm, a 100% surcharge on the recovery room/bed will apply. 

In the rare event that you require hospitalization for post-procedure recovery, ambulance transfer and hospitalization charges will apply.

Risks for IV Sedation 

You will be asked to sign consent for the procedure and IV sedation. As with any procedures, there are risk associated with IV sedation. 

Common risks include pain and bruising at the site of injections or IV cannulation, shivering, dizziness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, temporary headache, inadequate analgesia. 

Rare risks include breathing difficulties, heart attack, pneumonia (lung infection) and allergy to drugs, stroke, brain damage or death. 

IV sedation should present low risk in healthy individuals having minor surgeries or non- surgical procedures. Poor health and major surgeries carry greater risks. Your anesthesiologist will take all precautions to reduce the risks as his/her main concern is your safety and comfort during the procedure. You will help greatly by giving a full medical history and are free to discuss the potential risks of IV sedation.

You can make your IV sedation procedure safer by 

1. Letting your surgeon/ anesthesiologist know about all prescribed medications that you are taking. Do bring along all the medications that you are currently taking on the day of your procedure. 

   • If you are on high blood pressure medication, DO take your regular medication at 6am with 30ml ( quarter 

     glass) of water

   • If you are on diabetic medication, DO NOT take your medication

   • Ask your surgeon/ anesthesiologist about whether you should stop taking Traditional Chinese Medicines, 

     aspirin or any other medication before the procedure

2. Not eating and drinking anything after midnight on the night before the procedure. Up to 200ml of water is allowed 2 hours prior to your procedure. 

3. Not smoking at least 2 weeks before the procedure. 

4. Avoid alcohol and any other sedative drugs at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. 

5. Informing the surgeon or nurse if you have loose teeth, crowns or dentures. 

6. Informing your surgeon or Listing Room Staff Nurse if you feel unwell a day or two before the procedure, as 

 your procedure may need to be postponed.

General Instructions 

1. Please report to Day Surgery Centre punctually. While every effort is made to minimize unnecessary delays, please be advised that you may need to spend half a day or more in our Centre. We seek your understanding and co-operation as time is required for registration, Medisave verification, ward admission, consent taking, preparation for procedure and post-procedure recovery. 

2. Please keep to your appointment and call us at 63248890 if you 

   • are unwell with cough , fever or upper respiratory tract infection 

   • wish to postpone or cancel the procedure 

   • have any queries 

3. Please dress comfortably. Do bring a case for your spectacles or contact lenses. Do not wear make-up, nail- varnish, high-heeled shoes, jewellery or bring valuables on the day of the procedure. 

4. Patient below 21 years must have a parent or legal guardian present to give consent for the procedure. The procedure will be postponed if there is no consent. 

5. Please do not bring children along when you come for day surgery. 

6. Documents to bring: 

   • Day surgery authorization form 

   • Patient’s NRIC/Birth Certificate/ Passport 

   • Medisave account holder’s NRIC ( if the patient is using his/her spouse’s or parent’s account) 

   • Work permit, if Medisave account is a foreign worker 

   • Civil service card, if patient is a dependent of a civil servant or pensioner

7. If patient is using his/her spouse’s or parent’s medisave account, the account holder must be present to sign the Medisave Authorisation Form.

General Anesthesia is commonly known as ‘go to sleep for the operation’ whereby medicines are given to render you unconscious. You will not feel, see or hear anything during the surgery. Just as the surgeon will perform your procedure, the anesthesiologist will administer your anaesthesia .

Pre-operative Test and Instructions 

Before the surgery, blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG) or chest X- ray may be ordered depending on your age and your general health. Do have a normal meal the night before the surgery but avoid excessive food and alcohol. Do not eat and drink anything after midnight on the night before the surgery. 

What to expect on the day of Surgery 

The anesthesiologists will assess your health to determine your fitness for surgery. 

In the operating theatre, your anesthesiologist will administer anesthetic drug via a cannula inserted in a vein on your upper limb before the surgery starts. 

Once you are fully unconscious, your surgeon will proceed to perform the surgery for you. Throughout the surgery, the anesthesiologist will monitor and maintain your vital functions such as heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing as these may fluctuate during the procedure. 

Medications to control pain will be given so that you will remain comfortable during and after the surgery. 

If any sudden medical problems arise during the surgery, the anesthesiologist will make a diagnosis and treat them immediately. 

Your anesthesiologist will continue to care for you after the surgery is completed until you are awake. You will only be sent back to the Day Ward when your vital functions are stable and you have recovered from the anaesthesia with good pain control.

Post- Operative Care 

Detailed post-operative instructions will be given to you upon discharge. 

You will need a responsible adult to accompany you home on discharge and to take care of you at home. 

You are strongly discouraged to drive a vehicle, operate heavy and potentially harmful machinery and make legally binding decision while under the influence of anaesthesia . 

If you are deemed medically fit for discharge by the doctor but request for an extended stay beyond 5pm, a 100% surcharge on the recovery room/bed will apply. 

In the rare event that you require hospitalization for post-procedure recovery, ambulance transfer and hospitalization charges will apply.

Risks of General Anaesthesia 

You will be asked to sign consent for the surgery and general anaesthesia. As with any procedures, there are risk associated with general anaesthesia. 

Common risks include pain and bruising at the site of injections or IV cannulation, postoperative nausea and vomiting, sore throat, muscle ache, shivering, giddiness, itching and inflammation of blood vessels. 

The less common but more serious risks include: 

Abnormal reaction to drugs, bleeding, blood clots, infection, headache, injury to teeth, eyes or nervous system (resulting in loss of sensation, loss of limb function, paralysis, stroke or brain damage), abnormal heart beats, heart attack and worsening of pre-existing medical conditions or even loss of life. 

Modern anaesthesia should present low risk in healthy individuals having minor surgeries. Poor health and major surgeries carry greater risks. Your anesthesiologist will take all precautions to reduce the risks as his/her main concern is your safety and comfort during the surgery. You will help greatly by giving a full medical history and are free to discuss the potential risks associated with your anaesthesia.

You can make your GA surgery safer by 

1. Letting your surgeon/ anesthesiologist know about all prescribed medications that you are taking. Do bring along all the medications that you are currently taking on the day of your procedure. 

   • If you are on high blood pressure medication, DO take your regular medication at 6am with 30ml ( quarter 

     glass) of water 

   • If you are on diabetic medication, DO NOT take your medication

   • Ask your surgeon/ anesthesiologist about whether you should stop taking Traditional Chinese Medicines, 

     aspirin or any other medication before the procedure

2. Not eating and drinking anything after midnight on the night before the procedure. 

3. Not smoking at least 2 weeks before the procedure. 

4. Avoid alcohol and any other sedative drugs at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. 

5. Informing the surgeon or nurse if you have loose teeth, crowns or dentures.

6. Informing your surgeon or Listing Room Staff Nurse if you feel unwell a day or two before the procedure, as your procedure may need to be postponed.

1. Please report to Day Surgery Centre punctually. While every effort is made to minimize unnecessary delays, please be advised that you may need to spend half a day or more in our Centre. We seek your understanding and co-operation as time is required for registration, Medisave verification, ward admission, consent taking, preparation for procedure and post-procedure recovery. 

2. Please keep to your appointment and call us at 63248890 if you 

   • are unwell with cough , fever or upper respiratory tract infection 

   • wish to postpone or cancel the procedure 

   • have any queries 

3. Please dress comfortably. Do bring a case for your spectacles or contact lenses. Do not wear make-up, nail- varnish, high-heeled shoes, jewellery or bring valuables on the day of the procedure. 

4. Patient below 21 years must have a parent or legal guardian present to give consent for the procedure. The procedure will be postponed if there is no consent. 

5. Please do not bring children along when you come for day surgery. 

6. Documents to bring: 

   • Day surgery authorization form 

   • Patient’s NRIC/Birth Certificate/ Passport 

   • Medisave account holder’s NRIC (if the patient is using his/her spouse’s or parent’s account) 

   • Work permit, if Medisave account is a foreign worker 

   • Civil service card, if patient is a dependent of a civil servant or pensioner

7. If patient is using his/her spouse’s or parent’s medisave account, the account holder must be present to sign the Medisave Authorisation Form.