Everything you need to know to prepare for your admission to Gosford Specialist Day Hospital
The booking for your stay at Gosford Specialist Day Hospital will be made through your Doctor’s rooms, or as a referral directly from another hospital.
Patients undergoing surgery at Gosford Specialist Day Hospital may be required to participate in our Pre-admission Clinic, which will enable us to identify special requirements, answer questions and complete all documentation and tests ordered by your doctor. This helps to streamline the admission process, making your day of surgery as stress free as possible.
If you are undergoing major surgery, please personally attend the hospital for your pre-admission assessment. Patients undergoing surgery requiring only a short hospital stay may be assessed by telephone.
You will be advised if you will be required to attend a pre-admission clinic after your booking is processed.
Please ensure the Admission Form is completed online at least 7 working days prior to your procedure date. This is important so that we can confirm your hospital booking.
If your admission has been arranged at short notice (less than one week), please contact us to provide admission details.
A copy of Gosford Specialist Day Hospital Patient Information Booklet will be sent via email prior to your procedure. Please take time to read it through, as it contains important information about GSDH and your visit with us. You can download the booklet here.
Prior to your admission, please contact our admissions staff to verify your insurance and any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur from your hospital stay. Our staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about costs and insurance coverage. If you have any concerns, we recommend you speak to your health fund.
If your procedure is under General Anaesthetic, please do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to your admission time. A light meal can be consumed prior to the fasting period. For procedures under sedation, you can eat or drink as normal.
Check with your Specialist and GP if you should take your normal prescribed medications on the morning of the procedure with a sip of water or if you should bring them with you to the hospital.
On admission to hospital, you’ll be asked about the medications you are currently taking, and whether you have had any unexpected reactions or allergies to medications in the past. If so, these will be noted on your medication chart.
If you have acquired any illness (including colds or chest infections) or have undergone another operation since consulting with your doctors, please notify your doctor prior to your admission.
You should cease smoking as soon as possible and at least 24 hours prior to your surgery. Smoking can adversely affect your anaesthetic and increases the likelihood of complications.
You should not wear makeup, nail polish, contact lenses or jewellery. Wedding rings are permitted.
Please do not bring excessive cash and/or valuables with you. While all care of valuables is taken, the Gosford Specialist Day Hospital does not accept liability for lost or damaged personal items or valuables.
On the day of your admission, ensure you arrive to hospital at the time designated by our admissions staff or your Doctor. On arrival, please register at reception. You will then be directed to the admission area according to the order of the theatre list for the day.
With the exception of paediatric patients who may be accompanied by one parent or guardian, relatives and friends are not permitted into the unit.
You may be required you to take some pre-operative medications before you are taken to theatre. This will help you feel more relaxed.
For procedures requiring anaesthesia, an anaesthetist will also visit you if this is applicable to your procedure.
Please ensure that you have arranged for a responsible adult to collect you on discharge and to care for you for 24 hours after your surgery.
Although we make every effort to keep to scheduled times, please be aware that occasionally unforeseen circumstances can cause changes in surgery times.
You can expect to be discharged within 4 hours after your surgery to your chosen pick-up person.
Please think ahead and plan your discharge with your carer and or family including how you will be transported home before your admission to the hospital.
Before you leave the hospital, make sure that you, your carer and or family;
Ensure that you have post-operative instructions given to you by the nursing staff.
Know when and where your follow-up appointments are. If a post-operative appointment has not been made for you prior to your discharge, please call your surgeon's rooms to arrange one.
It is important that you report to Front Reception desk before leaving the hospital to finalise your account. You will be required to pay any amounts not covered by your health insurance fund and for claims that are rejected by health funds, at the time of discharge.
For the first 24 hours following a general anaesthetic it is important that you:
We advise that you should be in the company of a responsible adult for 24 hours after a procedure and you must have somebody escort you home from the hospital.
In the unlikely event that within 30 days of your procedure you experience any swelling, redness, pain or discharge, or visit your doctor and are prescribed antibiotics for an associated infection, please contact Gosford Specialist Day Hospital and your specialist to let us know.
Alternatively, you can proceed to your local Accident & Emergency Centre. We advise that the hospital does not provide emergency care.
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