While in hospital
Admission to hospital
On arrival, please report to the main reception to begin admission and confirm payment arrangements, remembering that your surgeon and anaesthetist accounts will be separate.
You will then be escorted to your room or the day-stay area where a nurse will complete your admission process and assist you to prepare for your procedure/surgery. You may discuss any questions, concerns and personal needs during this time. If you require any additional cultural, spiritual or emotional support, please advise the nurse. In consultation with your surgeon and anaesthetist, our nurses will plan your care with you.
Our day-stay areas are designed to comfortably meet the needs of patients admitted for procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Those who do stay overnight may have an individual or shared room. Facilities include an ensuite, telephone, television and radio. Please note, charges may apply to phone calls. The daily newspaper is available and our meals have been designed to be appetising, nourishing and appropriate to your specific dietary requirements.
Our checking procedures
Please note that, to ensure your safety during your stay, you will be asked to confirm your name and other details several times. This starts when you arrive at reception, with your admitting nurse and continues when you are transferred to the procedure / operating room. Your surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses will also take a short “time out” to complete a final check immediately before your procedure / surgery begins, this is usual practice to ensure your safety.
Surgical Site Surveillance Programme
Southern Cross Hospitals are committed to providing high quality care for patients. As part of our commitment to providing quality care, we are required under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 and Standards to carry out a routine Surgical Site Surveillance Programme. Your nurses will let you know if your procedure falls under our current Surgical Site Surveillance Programme.
The importance of hand washing
In addition to the microorganisms (germs) that are usually present on our skin, we can also pick up germs from contact with other people or objects in the environment. The risk is that cross contamination can cause your or others to acquire an infection. One of the best ways to stop the spread of infectious germs is to wash or decontaminate your hands, and this is referred to as hand hygiene. Please take the time to read the ‘Hand Hygiene for Consumers’ leaflet in your admission pack. You can download a
copy here.
The risk of blood clots
After an operation, the risk of developing a blood clot in your leg or lung is higher than usual. There are a number of ways to reduce this risk and your health professionals will work with you to plan the best options for you.
One way you can reduce this risk is by staying as mobile and active as possible after your operation. Your medical specialist and nurse will guide you in how best to achieve this.
To learn more about blood clots, please take the time to read the “Blood Clots: Reducing your risk” leaflet in your admission pack, or ask for one from your medical specialist or nurse. You can download a
copy here.
If you have any questions about this information, please ask your medical specialist or nurse.