• Preparing for Admission
• What to Bring
• Clinical Pathways
• Fees & Charges
• When You Arrive
• Our Accommodation
• Following your Day Stay Procedures
• Preparing to Leave the Day Surgery Unit
• Discharge Information
• Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Prior to your admission, we ask that you consider the following checklist:

• Confirm your private health insurance status with your health fund
• Driving is not permitted for 24 hours following an anaesthetic. You may like to arrange for your partner/spouse/relative/friend etc to drive you home or we can arrange a taxi
• We encourage you not to schedule any meetings or sign any legal documents for 24 hours following your procedure
• You should not eat or drink for 6 hours before your procedure unless otherwise advised by your doctor
• You are aware of any special preparations/medications required prior to your surgery
• Please shower prior to your arrival

Upon your arrival, please register at the Admissions Desk which is located on Level 1 and may be accessed from the car park via the ramp.

• Any letter(s) from your doctor prior to your procedure
• A list of your current medications and how often you take them
• Any X-rays relevant to your procedure
• Your Medicare card and any pension or concession cards
• Health fund details
• Veterans Affairs Fund details Medicare Card.jpg
• Reading material and glasses (Magazines and newspapers available)
• Wear loose comfortable clothing
• Night Attire, dressing gown and slippers (not applicable for day surgery)
• Personal toiletries (not applicable for day surgery)
• Minimal make-up & jewellery

A clinical pathway is a plan of care, drafted in advance for “predictable” patient groups which is developed and used by a multidisciplinary team. It forms part of the written documentation, includes outcomes to be achieved and the capacity for recording and analysing variance.

A copy of your clinical pathway will be in a folder at your bedside and you are encouraged to read it. It outlines your “expected” recovery pathway. However, some people progress more quickly and some more slowly (these are called variances) and when this occurs it is important for us to understand the reasons why this has occurred and ensure that the care we give is appropriate for you.

North Eastern Community Hospital has negotiated with major Health Funds to ensure hospital charges are paid for by the relevant fund EXCEPT where you have made a particular personal choice in your level of cover e.g. as in “Excess” payments. Please ensure that you contact your Medical Fund PRIOR to your surgery so that you are fully aware of any “Excess” payments you will be required to pay.

All Worker’s Compensation patients must have their “Letter Approving the Procedure” from their Work Cover provider attached to their Admission Form prior to admission.

Veteran Affair’s patients require a “Letter of Approval” from the Department of Veteran Affairs’ authorising their surgery PRIOR to admission. This letter is sent directly to the hospital from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs’ with a copy also sent to the patient and Doctor.

If you are not privately ensured, you will be asked to pay the estimated cost of hospitalisation on admission. For your convenience, we accept cash, EFTPOS and credit card payments (excluding Diners and AMEX). If you have any queries please do not hesitate to ring - 08 83377200 (8.00 am – 8.00 pm).

All Doctor’s fees and diagnostic services (e.g. x-ray and pathology) will be billed separately. Any amount outstanding such as an excess or co-payment, is payable on admission. Please contact your health fund in order to confirm the level of your private health insurance cover.

You may also receive separate accounts for the following areas:
• Pharmacy (Non admission related Drugs)
• Pathology
• Radiology
• Surgeon
• Assistant surgeon and anaesthetist

If you are not privately insured, you will be asked to pay the estimated cost of hospitalisation prior to admission. It is therefore necessary to contact out Patient Accounts department on telephone 08 8366 8111 (8.00 am – 5.00 pm) for an estimate of fees and charges prior to your admission date. All estimates provided by North Eastern Community Hospital are based on item numbers and length of stay as indicated by your doctor prior to admission. Please note that in the event of unforseen complications or variations from the proposed treatments, costs may vary. For your convenience, we accept cash, EFTPOS and credit card payments (excluding Diners and AMEX). If you have any queries please do not hesitate to ring - 08 83377200 (8.00 am – 8.00 pm)

For uninsured maternity patients, we do have a lay-by system and part payments can be made at regularly intervals prior to admission. You will be required to pay the remainder of your fees on discharge.

Upon your arrival, please register at the Admissions Desk which is located on level 1 and accessed from the car park via the ramp.

After registering at the Admissions Desk, reception staff or a volunteer will escort you to your room and explain the facilities before nursing staff outline your plan of care as indicated by your specialist.

Please click the map to the right for a larger view.

We take great pleasure in being able to provide all our patients with a private room with private en-suite facilities. Many of our rooms have balconies and pleasant garden views. Because we guarantee you a private room you can receive your visitors in maximum comfort and privacy. We also take care of the little things that make your stay with us enjoyable.

For your entertainment, we provide music and wall mounted television sets free of charge and newspapers are available - with our compliments. You can also buy a range of magazines and other publications from our kiosk in the reception foyer. The kiosk, which is attended by our volunteers, also sells sweets, drinks, gifts, cards etc. Vending machines are also conveniently located. When you want to chat with the outside world, just pick up your own telephone. Local calls are free and your friends and family can always be sure of being able to reach you in the privacy of your room. They simply dial 83668, plus your room number, to reach you direct.

Please click the image to the right for a larger view.

You will be returned to your day stay accomodation area following your procedure to make your recovery as comfortable as possible and staff will serve light refreshments.

Endoscopy patients return to the “Discharge Lounge” where they are sat in comfortable recliner chairs to recover from their procedure.

Patients are required to stay a minimum of two hours following a general anaesthetic. Patients who have attended the endoscopy clinic for a procedure may be discharged one to two hours post-procedure depending on their Doctor. Visiting hours are open in the Day Surgery unit, however following an Anaesthetic, patients need to rest and recuperate so we ask that the number of visitors be restricted.

Prior to discharge you will be given post-operative instructions to take home. These instructions include:

• Information on the side-effects that may occur following an anaesthetic
• Details on routine care, prescriptions, etc following your procedure.
• Follow-up appointments can also be arranged if required.
• You are encouraged to be discharged into the care of a responsible person who if possible will remain with you overnight.
• Instructions to contact your Doctor should you experience any excessive pain or are generally concerned about your condition

You are also advised that for your safety and legal protection, following sedation, you should not;

• Drink alcohol
• Drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery
• Make important decisions or sign a contract
• Do anything which requires co-ordination or for you to be alert during this time

Your discharge plan will be discussed with you during your hospital stay. Should you have any concerns with your discharge planning, please discuss these with your nurse. At the time of discharge your nurse will:

• Return to you any medication and prescriptions brought into the hospital, as well as any new treatment commenced after admission
• Return to you all x-rays, scans and ultrasound films
• Finalise arrangements for any community services or other help you may require

Hospital discharge time is 11.00 am.

Patient Charter
Patients Rights & Responsibilities
A Charter Document for Patients of North Eastern Hospital Inc on ‘Your Rights and Responsibilities’ is available in your bedside locker. You are advised to read the contents in order that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Rights
As a consumer of health care services you have the right to an explanation in every day language of your condition, proposed procedures, possible alternatives and likely effects. An informed consent must be given before any treatment is performed by any health care worker, whose identity and professional status you are entitled to know. Whilst in Hospital your privacy and confidentiality will be considered and the services of an interpreter are available if necessary. On discharge information regarding facilities for ongoing care and instructions on how to care for yourself is your right.

Responsibilities
You have the responsibility to discuss any problems which may be affecting your medical condition, answering questions about your health honestly, including family medical history detailing medication taken. It is your responsibility to ensure you understand the purpose of all tests and treatments and possible alternatives.

Privacy and Confidentiality
Your medical history, treatment and any information provided to the Hospital are treated confidentially. We will not use or release your personal information without your agreement, except if it is authorized under law.

Medical Records
A medical record will be kept of your illness and treatment and this will be confidential with access limited to health care professionals directly involved in your treatment. The contents of your medical records will be disclosed only with your consent or where required by law. The medical record remains the property of the Hospital.