Background Thousands of patients undergo surgical procedures daily. Research has shown the benefits of giving pre-operative information to patients, which include decreased length of stay, less demand for analgesia post-operatively and increased patient satisfaction. However, despite this evidence, there are still many facilities with no formal policy or programme for giving pre-operative information.

Conclusion Nurses and managers should be made aware of the benefits and potential financial savings of pre-operative information programmes. Once education takes place, a concerted multidisciplinary effort should be made to implement a programme. This will help to ensure that patients no longer arrive at the operating theatre frightened and unaware of what will happen to them.