The Preparation area or ‘Prep room’ is the centre of the hospital. It is rarely deserted and there is nearly always something going on.
It is here that hospitalised animals are routinely examined, animals are anaesthetised and prepared for surgery. Computerised clinical notes, piped oxygen and any necessary equipment is readily available. It is in the prep room that procedures such as thoracocentesis (inserting a needle into the chest cavity to draw off air or fluid), blood sampling and placing catheters (usually into a vein for delivery of intravenous fluids) occurs. Minor surgical procedures and ‘dirty’ procedures such as unblocking cats’ urethras may also be carried out here.
The prep room is fully heated and air conditioned to create a pleasant environment for the animals.
