Your Visit

Pre Admission

The pre-admission assessment helps to ensure a smooth admission process on the day of your surgery. Nurse pre-admission may be undertaken either by phone prior to your admission or at the pre-admission clinic.

If you are asked to come to the pre-admission clinic, this is located at the hospital.

 

Please report to the main reception counter on the ground floor and our reception staff will direct you to the Pre Admissions Coordinator.

You will then meet and be assessed by your Anaesthetist. You may also meet your Surgeon and where appropriate your Physiotherapist. This is a good time to ask your health professionals any questions relating to your surgery.

The Pre-admission process may take up to 1½ hours. Prior to admission, the following information will be provided either at Pre-admission Clinic or by your Surgeon;

1. The day and time you need to be at Mercy Hospital for admission. This will usually be on the day of surgery
2. The day and time you must stop eating and drinking
3. The medications you will need to keep taking and those which need to be stopped at a specified date and time
4. How to access Mercy Hospital if arriving prior to 6.30am

Admission

Please bath/shower the night before and on the morning of your surgery. Do not wear make-up and do not chew gum on the morning of your admission.

Contact your Surgeon if ...

 

• you develop a cold, sore throat, or any infection the week prior to your surgery;
• you are having joint or spinal surgery and you develop a cut, graze, abrasion or skin tear.

Please remove all piercing studs and rings prior to your admission to hospital. If you have not already done so, you will be asked to remove any metal prior to your surgery.

This requirement is made for your safety as burns can occur if metal studs and rings are left in place during surgery.

 

Discharge

On discharge, please ensure that you have received your:

• Post operative care instructions
• Medications and prescriptions
• Follow-up arrangements for further consultation if required
• ACC forms if required

You will also need to arrange a responsible adult to drive you home and someone to stay with you overnight or longer if this is required;

Please note that you must not drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery, make important decisions or sign legal documents until (at least) 24 hours after your operation.

After Discharge

Day Surgery patients may receive a phone call the day following surgery to check steady progress is being made.

If you become unwell or develop any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Increased pain, redness or swelling around the wound site
• Bleeding or wound ooze
• Fever or chills
• Pain, tenderness or swelling in the calf or thigh
• Chest pain or shortness of breath

please contact your Surgeon or GP immediately for advice.

IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 111 FOR AN AMBULANCE.