For Patients: Pre Admission

Pre Admission

Before you come to St George Private, it is important that you read through this information about our PRE- ADMISSION process.

The Pre admission process is the first step and the same for every patient – whether they are undergoing a procedure through Day Surgery or admitted to hospital for their procedure via our Day of Surgery Admission Centre.

The first step: Your Doctor’s referral

Your Doctor will notify the hospital of the date of your procedure and inform you of the day of your surgery. Your Doctor should have explained to you your surgery/procedure and have completed a consent form with you.

If you have not signed a consent form or do not understand your surgery/procedure please contact your Doctor and/or the hospital as soon as possible.

Your Doctor should have also provided you with a copy of the xx booklet from St George Private Hospital. If you have not received this booklet from your Doctor you can collect one from St George Private Hospital and much of the information is also on this website.

ABOUT THE ADMISSION CALL CENTRE PROCESS

The Admission Call Centre manages all admissions to hospital. This is a new, innovative process introduced in May 2007 and is designed to streamline the process for patients and their support people.

The Admission Call Centre is staffed by registered nurses who will take patients through a full medical history and assessment over the phone.

Patients are advised that they need to call the St George Private Admission Call Centre on 1300 783 741 at least 7 -10 days prior to admission to hospital.

PREPARING TO CALL THE ADMISSION CALL CENTRE

The Admission Call Centre nursing staff will ask you questions to gather information about your medical history. Please refer to this MEDICAL HISTORY CHECK LIST ( below) as a guide to expedite your admission call.

CONTACT THE ADMISSION CALL CENTRE ON 1300 783 741
7-10 days prior to surgery – you need to call our Admission Call Centre where our staff will take your medical history details.

PLEASE NOTE: Admission Call Centre staff will contact you at least 48 hours prior to your surgery if you have not made contact to obtain your details.

PRE-ADMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPORTANT: For your safety and according to the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) guidelines, please ensure that you have someone to stay with you overnight for at least 24 hours and that you have someone (18+) pick you up from hospital when you are ready for discharge. The nursing staff will take the name of this person and will contact them to pick you up. Advise them that they need to come into the Discharge Lounge and sign you out before you are discharged. There is a designated pickup parking in front of the hospital. Please do not leave cars in the middle of the hospital driveway.
Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after an anaesthetic as you will not be covered by insurance
Do not eat or drink (this includes water) AFTER MIDNIGHT or AFTER 6AM for afternoon surgery unless your Doctor gives you other instructions.
Do not smoke at least 12 hours before your operation and do not chew gum or lollies on the day of your surgery.
Please shower the morning of your surgery with Triclosan or a Chlorhexidine antimicrobial soap.
Do not shave the operation area.
Do not wear make-up or nail polish
Wear warm and comfortable clothing. You will be provided with a gown to wear for your procedure – Day Surgery it is not necessary to bring any sleepware.
Do not wear excessive jewellery (wedding ring permitted)
Do not bring any valuables with you especially expensive jewellery or large amounts of money to hospital. Ramsay Health and St George Private Hospital does not accept liability for any patient’s personal property brought into the hospital.

WHAT TO BRING for day surgery

Any letter(s), current x-rays or test results from your Doctor relating to your procedure.
Your Medicare card and any pension or concessions cards, Health fund book and/or card.
A list of all your current medications.
If you are diabetic, bring your insulin/tablets with you and DO NOT take your diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery unless you are told differently by your Doctor. Please ensure your diabetic syringes and needles are in a rigid container with a lid.
All your puffers for asthma.
Please consult your doctor if you are taking regular medications.
Be prepared to spend most of the day in hospital so bring a book, magazines, crossword, etc. to pass the time.

WHAT TO BRING if you are staying overnight

All medications in the original packaging If you are diabetic, bring your insulin/tablets with you and DO NOT take your diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery unless you are told differently by your Doctor. Please ensure your diabetic syringes and needles are in a rigid container with a lid. All your puffers for asthma.
X-Rays/ Ultrasounds /CT Scans /MRI
Pyjamas / Nightgown dressing gown and slippers
Toiletries
Reading material and glasses
Hearing aides and batteries

Meals

If you have any special dietary requirements please let your pre admission nurse know so they can organise this.

Medical History

The Admission Call Centre nursing staff will ask you the following questions to gather information about your medical history, please use this as a guide to expedite your admission call.

What procedure/surgery are you coming into hospital for?
Is this admission the result of an injury?
What language do you speak? Is an interpreter required?
Please provide your local GP’s details – name, phone number and address.
Do you have any special dietary requirements? Please specify.
Do you have any allergies & what reactions do you have?
(Medication/ food allergies)
Do you have or have you had any heart problems? E.g. Heart attack, chest pain, angina, palpations, irregular heart beat, heart murmur, rheumatic fever, pacemaker, high blood pressure, prosthetic heart valve
Do you have or have you had any breathing or lung problems? E.g. Asthma, chronic airway limitation, bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, pneumonia
Do you have or have you had diabetes or thyroid problems? Type of diabetes and how managed.
Do you have or have you had any circulation problems? E.g. Cerebral vascular accident/stroke, Pulmonary embolism/lung clot, Deep vein thrombosis/leg clot
Do you have or have you had any stomach or bowel problems? E.g. Gastric reflux, gastric ulcer, hiatus hernia, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, bowel disorders
Do you have or have you had any blood problems? E.g. blood disorders, blood transfusion, if yes what year? Any reactions?
Do you have or have you had sleeping disorders?
Do you have or have you had epilepsy or fits?
Do you have any history of cancers? Location and date.
Do you have or have you had any kidney problems?
Do you have or have you had arthritis? Type and where
Do you have or have you had gout?
Do you have or have you had back and neck problems? Specify
Do you have or have you had any bladder problems?
Questions relating to Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD)
- Have you had a dura mater graft between 1972 – 1989?
- Do you have a family history of 2 or more relatives with CJD or other unspecified progressive neurological disorder?
- Have you suffered from a recent progressive dementia (physical or mental), the cause of which has not been diagnosed?
- Have you received human pituitary hormones (growthormones, gonadotrophins) prior to 1985
Questions relating to Respiratory assessment
- Have you been overseas lately?
- Do you have any respiratory symptoms?
- Do you have a cough?
- Do you have a fever?
Please describe any previous surgeries you may have had and approximate year
Did you have any problems with the anaesthetics? Please describe reactions/problems
Do you take aspirin? Last taken
Do you take warfarin? Last taken
Do you have take any steroids? Last taken
Do you take any anti-inflammatories? Last taken
Do you take any anti-biotics? Type and last taken
Do you take any other medications? Please include any alternative medications e.g. herbal, vitamins, etc.
Do you smoke? Date ceased
Do you take any recreational medications? Date ceased
Do you drink alcohol? Date ceased and quantity per day
Do you have or use any prosthesis and aids? E.g. artificial limb (detail), glasses, contacts, glass eye, hearing aids, dentures, wig, other – please detail.
Please provide the name of the person picking you up after your discharge from the hospital, their relationship and contact number.
Do you live alone, with family, in a retirement village, in a nursing home?
Will you go back home, to a hostel, to a nursing home, staying with friend/s or relative/s?
Will you need any community services after your discharge from hospital?
Do you need any equipment organised for after your discharge?
Do we need to know anything else about your health prior to your admission?

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