Day Patient Admission

Thank you for choosing Buderim Private Hospital for your upcoming day procedure. The following information is designed to help you with your day hospital stay and discharge preparations.

Before your Admission

Please ensure that you follow doctor’s instructions on when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery, and any preparation required.

Please ensure you have arranged for a family member/friend to pick you up from hospital and stay with you for 12-24 hours after your surgery.

Please contact your doctor or specialist a week before surgery if you are:

  • Diabetic – to determine insulin or medication adjustments that may be required
  • Taking blood thinning drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, dipyridamole or any anti-inflammatory drugs)

What to Bring to Hospital

Preparing for your admission in advance will help make sure that your hospital stay is as comfortable as possible. Please pack the following items, where applicable:

  • Completed hospital admission forms that have not already been forwarded to the hospital. (Please note that, ideally, all forms as provided in the Admission Information – Inpatient booklet should be sent in to the hospital before your admission date.)
  • Any doctors’ letters / x-rays / scans pertaining to your condition
  • A certified copy of your Power of Attorney or Advanced Health Directive documents, if applicable
  • Glasses, hearing aids etc with the appropriate cases
  • Physical aids
  • Medicare/DVA, Pharmacy or Safety Net cards
  • Credit Card (or other payment means)
  • Private Health Insurance card
  • Cash for incidentals ($50 or less)
  • For children having surgery, please bring a favourite soft toy if applicable and any bottles, formula, nappies etc that you require

Please DO NOT BRING: jewellery, large sums of money, electrical appliances (eg computers, hair dryers), iPods or other valuables.

The hospital takes no responsibility or liability for loss of money, valuables or other possessions.

Medications

You have been requested to complete the medication list on the Patient History and Nursing Assessment Form. Your medication list should include:

  • Names and strength of the dose of the medication
  • Times and how you take each medication
  • Why you take the medication
  • Any allergies, intolerances and reactions to medications

Unless otherwise advised by your doctor, please take all routine morning medications with a small amount of water.

On the Day of Admission

Prior to admission please:

  • Bathe or shower and wash your hair at home. Use plain unperfumed soap unless provided with special soap
  • Do not use any powder, deodorants or creams
  • Do not wear make-up, jewellery or nail polish
  • Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours before surgery
  • Bring a small secure bag for your belongings

Your Arrival at Hospital for Admission

Arrival at the designated time via the main hospital entrance is important so that your admission can be processed quickly. You will be required to:

  • Review all the admission information provided to the hospital
  • Pay for all known out-of-pocket expenses (including quotes for self insured patients). Payment may be by credit card, cash, EFTPOS (daily limits may apply) or bank cheque
  • Sign the following information as required by health funds or other legislative bodies
    • Health Fund Claim form
    • Informed Financial Consent (amount you will be required to pay the hospital, if applicable)
    • Acknowledgement of the Hospital Property and Valuables Policy, your Rights and Responsibilities as a patient in the hospital and Consent for the Use of your Personal Information by the hospital

You will then be directed to the relevant clinical area for completion of the admission process. The waiting time prior to being taken to the Operating Theatre will be used to ensure that you are adequately prepared for your surgery.

Please ensure you are accompanied by only one relative or friend.

For children under 14 years old, one parent is encouraged to stay with their child prior to surgery and during the recovery stage. Dress the child in two piece pajamas and bring a soft comfort toy, plus bottle and formula for bottle-fed infants.

After Surgery

After the normal post operative recovery period, you will return to the Day Surgery recovery area where you are required to stay a minimum of 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the type of anaesthetic you have received.

Nursing staff will contact the family member/friend to collect you, as you should not leave the hospital unaccompanied.

Discharge Planning

You may require some level of care when you go home. If you live alone this should be discussed with your doctor before admission, and appropriate arrangements made in advance.

You are required to organise your own transport home. The Queensland Ambulance Service only provides transport to doctor-approved patients with specific medical conditions.

Day Surgery Patient Discharge

It is essential that in the first 24 hours after your surgery or procedure you do NOT:

  • Stay alone
  • Drive a vehicle / bike (please organise someone to drive you home)
  • Drink alcohol
  • Make any legal decisions

Follow-up guidelines, instructions, and prescriptions (if applicable) will be given to you prior to your discharge.