Before Admission

To assist our preparation, please complete the admission form and health questionnaire and return them to us in the pre paid envelope as soon as possible. If your admission date has not been confirmed, please write "not known" to the question.

Please nominate a telephone number on your admission form where the nurse can ring you on the last working day prior to your surgery between 9am and 3.30pm. This is to confirm your admission time and discharge arrangements.

Planning For Your Discharge

You can expect to be in recovery for a period of 1 to 3 hours depending on the type of procedure and anaesthetic.

After an anaesthetic you must arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours. Failure to do this may result in your procedure being cancelled.

Pain Management

For pain relief after your surgery, we recommend you purchase paracetamol or paracetamol/codeine medication from your pharmacy, (providing you are not allergic to it) and take as directed.

If you have any particular concerns about your pain management, please contact your doctor prior to admission.

Preparation For Admission

Do not eat or drink food or fluids including water, for six hours prior to surgery.

Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking for 24 hours prior to surgery, as this may affect your recovery.

Please shower prior to admission. If you require any special preparation your Doctor will advise you.

Wear loose comfortable clothing including shoes which are easy to slip on and off. Apart from a wedding ring all jewellery and valuables should be left at home. We cannot accept responsibility for their security.

Please do not wear makeup, nail varnish, talcum powder or perfumes.

Medications

Take your normal medications with a sip of water on the day of surgery unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

On Admission

On arrival please present to the first floor reception for admission. Please bring your Medicare and Health Fund cards with you and any medications that may be required during your stay. For IVF patients please bring your Queensland Fertility Group receipts.

Please keep belongings to a minimum as space is limited. Arrive one and a half hours prior to your booked surgery time. To enable us to process your admission please be punctual. You will be admitted on the 1st floor and transferred to the 4th floor for your surgery and recovery.

The admitting nurse will take your observations and discuss with you and your support person each stage of your stay and what you can expect to happen both before and after your discharge. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Prior To Surgery

You will be required to change into theatre attire. The Anaesthetist will discuss your medical history at a preoperative consultation, and answer any questions you may have about your anaesthetic and pain management.

Following Your Surgery

You may feel assured that advances in operating and anaesthetic techniques for day surgery have enabled us to minimise side effects associated with your operation.

Following surgery, when you are well enough, you will dress and be transferred to a comfortable chair in Sitting Recovery. You may be offered light refreshments prior to discharge depending on your type of procedure.

Visitors

Your carer is encouraged to remain during the admission procedure to discuss your care during your stay, and following discharge.

The admission nurse will need a contact number and will give you an estimated time of discharge for your carer to return and take you home.

The recovery room is an acute area. A restful and private environment must be maintained for all our patients. Visiting in the recovery area is to be kept to a minimum and is for the purpose of reassuring the patient and the carer.

Following your carer's short visit they will be asked to return to the first floor waiting room until you are ready for discharge.

Please be considerate when bringing children.

Discharge

Before going home you will be given an information sheet which will advise you about wound care, activities, medications (such as pain relief), follow up appointment and any other special instructions you may require to care for yourself after discharge.

We will also give you a contact number for the doctor in case of an emergency.

Following Discharge

You may feel drowsy due to anaesthetic drugs which can remain in your system for up to 24 hours.

For this reason you should follow these instructions during this time:

• Do not drive a car or operate machinery
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not make important decisions or sign documents
• Arrange for another person to care for your children
• Care should be taken when using sharp utensils, hot liquids or cooking appliances

The next day one of the nursing staff will telephone you to check your progress and answer any queries you have.

Complaints

Should you or your family feel that they wish to make a complaint about any aspect of care or treatment they receive, this can be made either in writing or verbally to

1. Your treating Surgeon
2. Director of Nursing ph 07 3307 3243
3. Health Quality and Complaints Commission ph 1800 077 308 or 07 3120 5999
4. Privacy Hotline ph 1300 363 992