A popsicle in bed

A dry mouth and a bad taste – it’s a recognizable feeling for many patients just waking up after surgery. Traditionally, patients at Sint Maartenskliniek received a glass of water in our recovery room but, since November 2017, this has been replaced by a popsicle, known popularly in the Netherlands as “a rocket”.

“Post-operative recovery is aided by the fluid and sugars of the popsicle,” explains Bauke Schretlen, a nurse in

the recovery room. “The patients love them! The easily digestible flavored ice helps to prevent possible nausea and also soothes throat irritation. Research at other hospitals

has even shown that patients who consume these frozen treats have less need for painkillers.”

“We do not tell you in advance, so for most patients it’s a

great surprise to get the popsicle,” says Bauke. “We get a

lot of enthusiastic reactions, even from patients who are

over 80 years old. The nice thing is that everyone knows the rocket, but few people know which three flavors are in it. They find this out through experience. And no, I’m not going to give away the secret!”