Whether you’re going in for major surgery, to have a routine procedure or as an emergency admission, hospital stays are stressful.
Here’s our guide to make heading into the unknown less daunting and as safe and sound as possible.
Plan ahead
Take time to think about the impending hospital stay, even if it is distressing you – facing it will help make it a more pleasant experience.
Most state Departments of Health have excellent websites and advice for patients being admitted to local hospitals, both public and private, and will steer you through the whole process from pre-admission to going home.
Pre-admission
A time to ask questions
Before being admitted to hospital, you may be asked to attend a pre-admission clinic. This is designed to confirm your personal details, document your medical history, do any tests that will assist the doctors to provide their services and explain what will happen during your hospital stay.
This is an invaluable time to ask questions and may help to reassure you about what to expect, as well as prepare you for admission.
“Many people find it useful to bring a friend or take notes. When you’re happy that you know what is going to happen, you’ll need to sign a consent form,” advises the Western Australia Department of Health.
Sometimes the most obvious of factors, which would usually not create a problem or worry you, may do so if you are feeling stressed. Again, plan ahead.
These FACTORS may include:
Getting there
Think about how you’ll get to hospital.
If possible:
Avoid driving yourself.
Consider booking a taxi, or getting a lift with a friend or relative.
Familiarise yourself with the hospital’s parking areas and nearest set-down and pickup points. It is also worth checking if you need change to pay for the car park; not having the right coins can cause immediate panic and extra stress.
Don’t forget things you use every day like glasses and dentures or regular medication (including over-the-counter medicines, inhalers and eye drops).
GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Try to get a good night’s sleep before the procedure. Check with your doctor or hospital whether any special preparation is needed before you are admitted. For example, ask whether you need to fast, or eat only certain foods before coming to hospital.
How to reduce THE risk of infection before admission
“Some patients have a higher risk of infection due to their underlying condition or pre-existing infections. Clinical staff will take every measure to minimise the risk of infection developing or spreading,” advises the Mater Hospital, in Sydney, offering the following advice:
QUIT SMOKING Try to quit or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke, as smoking can slow down the healing process.
LOSE WEIGHT People who are overweight have an increased risk of infection. Eating a balanced, healthy diet and exercising may help you reduce your weight before surgery.
DIABETICS If you have diabetes, you and your doctor should aim for careful control of your blood sugar levels before and during your admission.
COMPLETE YOUR HEALTH HISTORY Some circumstances may require additional precautions or
pre-admission screening, for example, a history of the bacteria MRSA or a planned joint
replacement. This just helps medical staff to plan your care during your stay.
“Try to get a good night’s sleep before the procedure.”
Being admitted
In many cases, there is not the luxury of time to plan ahead and if you are seriously sick or injured, you may be admitted immediately through the emergency department of a hospital. “Otherwise,” explains the NSW Department of Health, “your local doctor will refer you to a specialist doctor if he/she thinks you might need to go to hospital.
“If the specialist decides that you should be admitted to hospital, but your admission is not an emergency, you will be ‘booked’ to come into hospital at a later date. This is known as a booked admission.
“Booked admission patient details are placed on a waiting time register to ensure that the sickest patients are treated first.”
Your specialist indicates on the booking form how urgently your admission is required. In some instances, this will be within days, in others, within months.
“Hospital staff will contact you again when an exact date for your admission has been set. They will try and give you at least two weeks’ notice of your admission date.”
Day only admission
Day only admission is when you are admitted to hospital, have the surgery and go home on the same day. Day only admission means there is less disruption to your normal activities.
DAY OF SURGERY ADMISSION
Day of surgery admission means that you are admitted to hospital and have the surgery on the same day, but you stay in hospital for a longer period after the operation, at least overnight.
“Many patients come into hospital on the day of their surgery. These patients should shower beforehand – we recommend using an antiseptic wash,” advises Sydney’s Mater Hospital. “Make sure that you wear clean clothing after your shower or wash.
Do not use a razor to remove body hair before your admission, as superficial grazes may be infected. If it does need to be removed, it will be clipped just prior to your surgery.”
Things to Remember
Your Medicare card.
Things you use every day like glasses and dentures or regular medication (including over-the-counter medicines, inhalers and eye drops).
Mobility aids, if you are using any.
X-rays or scans related to your hospital treatment.
Details of any private health insurance.
Footwear/slippers, sleepwear and toiletries for overnight stays, as well as any books, magazines or other items to entertain you.
Check with the hospital before bringing mobile phones or digital devices.
- Don’t bring large amounts of cash, jewellery or valuables with you, but remember there may be a fee to access television.
Source: The Western Australia Department of Health.
VIDEO: A grieving mother listens to her late son’s heartbeat 3 years after his death
