Orthopaedic Hospital

The following information has been developed to assist you to understand and become actively involved in your health care. We want to partner with you to
get the surgical outcome you want.

Open disclosure

sportsmed strives to provide the best patient care and experience. the best patient care and experience. We apply an open disclosure policy framework if things go wrong with the care we provide. If you want further information on open disclosure please visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/clinical-governance/open-disclosure/implementing-open-disclosure-framework/open-disclosure-resources-consumers

Patient identification

It is important that we ensure you are the right person so that we can provide you with the right care, treatment and results, and maintain your confidentiality and safety.

Throughout your stay our team will regularly check your:
* name
* date of birth
* UR number (on your armband)
* what surgery you are having.

Preventing falls

While you are in hospital there is an increased risk of falling due to the effects of the anaesthetic and/or your surgery.

To help prevent falls, we recommend that you do the following:
• Always use your call bell when you require assistance and keep it within easy reach
• Let our team know if you feel unwell or unsteady on your feet. We are here to assist you and are always happy to help
• Turn on the light so you can see clearly
• If you use glasses or hearing aids, a walking frame or stick bring them to hospital with you
• Take time when getting up from lying or sitting down. Always ensure that your bed/chair/footrest is lowered before getting out and sit or stand for a few seconds before dismounting
• Avoid wearing stocking feet, bending over/reaching to pick up items – always call one of our team for assistance
• Walk in the corridor near the hand rail. If you are not confident with walking, ring your bell and wait for assistance
• If you suffer from urinary urgency, do not leave it too late to ring your bell for assistance
• Be realistic about your situation. Being too independent before you can properly manage can sometimes be a hazard. You may need a team member to standby while you are mobilising for the first time
• Smoking increases your risk of infection and after anaesthetic may cause you to faint, so please avoid smoking following your surgery.

Blood clot prevention

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the legs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. If left untreated, this clot has the potential to move into the lungs and produce a pulmonary embolism requiring immediate medical attention. If caught in time, DVT is completely treatable. The classic signs of DVT, especially if it occurs in the lower extremities, are leg pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness or discoloration of the skin. Some people have a predisposition to developing clots, but one of the biggest risks for developing a clot is extended periods of immobility.

What can you do to prevent a DVT?

• Keep moving, our team will assist you to mobilise as early as possible and may ask you wear compression stockings or take additional blood thinning medication
• We recommend that you move your feet and ankles regularly if you are resting in bed. Ankle pumps 10-20 pumps every hour and deep breathing and coughing exercises hourly
• Drinking plenty of water in the 24 hours prior to surgery and after surgery
• Avoid car travel greater than one hour at a time
• Call your nurse immediately if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms during admission or in the weeks after discharge:

– Sudden increase in pain or swelling in your legs

– Pain in your lungs or chest.

Pressure injuries

A pressure injury (also known as a pressure sore, bed sore or pressure area) is an area of skin that has been damaged due to unrelieved pressure. A pressure injury may look minor, such as redness on the skin, but they can hide more damage under the skin surface.

Anyone who is confined to a bed or a chair, who is unable to move, has loss of sensation, loss of bowel or bladder control, poor nutrition or is unwell is at risk of getting a pressure injury.

At sportsmed, we have policies and procedures in place to avoid pressure injuries, however you can help by:

• If able, moving regularly in bed, change your lying or sitting position regularly
• Avoid wrinkled, damp clothes and bedding
• Mobilisation – get out of bed and up walking as soon as possible
• Keep weight off bony parts like your heels or tail bone. Placing wedges (provided) under your heels to prevent your heel from resting on the bed can assist
• If your heels become tender it is important to advise your nurse immediately
• Maintain good personal hygiene
• Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods
• Avoid smoking.

Medication management

It is important that our team know what medications (including herbal or natural preparations and recreational drugs) you are taking at home, because these could adversely interact with those that you are administered in hospital.
• Leave all of your medications in the bottles/packets that they were dispensed in
• Get clarification from your nurse about any medications that are new to you or if you are not given medications you would normally expect to have
• A clinical pharmacist visits the hospital regularly and is happy to discuss your medication regime with you if you wish. You may find this useful if you are taking a large variety of medications.

Pain management

It is expected that every patient may experience some pain during their admission, our aim is to ensure that it is managed and kept at a tolerable level for you.
In accordance with your surgeon’s orders our team will discuss with you and implement a pain management pathway which should provide you with sufficient analgesia to relieve your pain.

It is important for you to commence mobilising as early as possible. To do this you must have your pain well controlled.
If you feel that your pain is not tolerable or if it is increasing, advise your nurse, (even if you have recently received analgesia). Ask your nurse for pain relief about half an hour before commencing exercises.

If the pain relief you have been offered is not controlling your pain adequately, speak to your nurse, ask to discuss it with the nursing coordinator or speak to your surgeon.
You may need to have your pain medication changed or increased.

Recognising and responding to patient deterioration in hospital

sportsmed has extensive policies and procedures to follow in the event of any patient or visitor deteriorating in their condition. Our team are trained in this area and will respond quickly.

To assist our surgeons and our team to provide comprehensive immediate access to care a medical practitioner is rostered overnight on site to help monitor and treat our hospital patients on all regular scheduled surgery days, as required. Our team also have immediate access to intensive care specialists in the event of patient deterioration.

We encourage you and/or your family/carers to report if you do not feel well, think there is a worrying change in your physical or mental condition, or you think part of your care has been missed.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to. We want you to feel and know you are safe whilst in our care.

Patient/carer involvement

sportsmed is committed to a holistic approach to the patient experience from the time of consult through to beyond discharge. We encourage you and your carer to be involved in all aspects of your care.

At shift change over times, nurses handover your care at the bedside and we encourage you to be involved in this process. A communication whiteboard is also located in each inpatient hospital room and you are encouraged to be involved in filling this in with our team to outline your care requirements.

Infection prevention and control precautions

sportsmed recognises that both patients and healthcare workers can be at risk of acquiring infection whilst they are in hospital. However, this can be minimised by practices in infection control and precaution.

Patients and visitors can also play an important role in reducing infections. Follow these guidelines to assist our team:
• Clean your hands regularly before eating, after coughing, sneezing blowing your nose or after each visit to the toilet
• Follow the advice of your surgeon and our team, particularly around wound care. Do not touch your dressings, drips (IV) or urinary catheter
• Consider postponing your surgery if you are feeling unwell
• Avoid sitting on the beds of other patients or letting your visitors sit on your bed
• Tell our team if you have concern about the cleanliness of your room/ bathroom
• Feel comfortable to tell any team member to wash their hands or use antimicrobial hand gel or see a BioVigil Hand Hygiene Badge red in colour
• Some infections are brought into hospitals by visitors. As such, we seek your assistance in discouraging visits by those who may be unwell, particularly if they have rashes of unknown cause, respiratory tract infections (including colds and flu), diarrhoea and/or vomiting, or a temperature. If you or your family have these symptoms report to our team and any visitors with symptoms should not visit the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene (hand disinfection or washing) is one of the simplest measures to help prevent transmission of infection. Our team are trained in hand hygiene practices, infection control and how to prevent infection. We carry out regular audits to check that our team comply with our strict hand hygiene policies, and there are signs in clinical areas to remind everyone – patients, our team and visitors – to clean their hands regularly.

All visitors to sportsmed are encouraged to clean their hands before and after visiting patients to help prevent transmissions of infection. Alcohol-based hand rub stations are available at the entrance to the hospital and within each patient room.

Pre-operative screening for multi-resistant organisms

As part of the pre-operative process, some patients will be screened for multi-resistant organisms. This helps to prevent the spread of the germs and lowers the risk of complications
occurring whilst you are recovering. When you are booked for surgery you may be given a pathology request form to have the swab taken. It is desirable to have these swabs taken at least three weeks prior to surgery.

If there is less than two weeks to your booked surgery date, this will not affect your surgery but please attend a pathology centre as soon as
possible. If your results are positive, it does not mean your surgery will be cancelled. You will be contacted by the Infection Control Coordinator and advised of the treatment required for a positive swab result.

If you are not contacted by the Infection Control Coordinator prior to your surgery you can assume your results are negative.

Safety of our team and others

Lifting patients presents a significant injury risk to our team. In order to reduce this risk sportsmed has a ‘no lift’ policy that has been endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.

During your stay our team will use a variety of aids to assist in lifting you as required. Our team are prohibited from lifting any patients except in an emergency situation. Please respect and cooperate with our team by following their instructions to assist you to move.

Hospital team and patients need to work and be cared for in a safe environment that is free from violence and aggression. Physical and nonphysical aggression towards our team and others in the hospital will not be tolerated.

On your arrival

On admission you will be shown to your private room, which has its own ensuite and Foxtel channels. A nurse will attend to you to perform any necessary nursing, medical checks and orientate you to your room.

Our rooms

At sportsmed we provide patients with modern hospital care and each patient is guaranteed a private room with ensuite bathrooms (this excludes admission to the Close Observation Unit if deemed medically necessary). We may also require you to move rooms during your admission when it is necessary because of operational requirements or to meet clinical need. We will, however, make every effort to reduce unnecessary disruption when we can.

During your stay our contracted cleaning staff will clean your room and ensuite daily to ensure your comfort and meet infection control guidelines.

Each room is equipped with an electronic bed and a digital television. Please ask one of our team to demonstrate the features of these items to you.

Overnight stay for parent/caregiver of a child

One parent/caregiver can be accommodated in the ward overnight.

A parent/caregiver of children 8-11 years of age is required to stay with their child.

A parent/caregiver of adolescents aged 12-17 years of age is encouraged to stay.

Each room has ensuite facilities, while a fold out bed or recliner chair is available. Meals will be provided to one parent/caregiver if they choose to stay. Tea and coffee facilities are available. There are no visitation limitations for parents/ caregivers of children.

During your stay

Communication whiteboard
Each patient room is equipped with a communication whiteboard. Please feel free to utilise this board to communicate important information with our team during your stay.

The call bell
Your room’s call bell system allows you to contact our team 24 hours a day. One button is located by your bed, which your nurse will place within your reach. A second button is located on the shower wall and a third by the toilet. Please don’t hesitate to call our team to help you in any way.

Entertainment
Each room is equipped with a digital television with Foxtel channels. Newspapers are also provided daily with our compliments.

Complimentary Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi internet is available. To join our hospital Wi-Fi network, please speak with a member of our nursing team who will supply you with an access code.

Room telephone
Local calls are offered free of charge, however you will be charged for calls to mobile phones, interstate or overseas made from your room phone and will be payable upon your discharge. To make a local call dial “0” and the number you require. If you require further assistance please call our reception on 1102.

Meals
Our gourmet in-house chef has designed all your meals to be both nutritious and delicious. If you have any special dietary requirements our chef would be happy to discuss those with you and find an accommodating option.

We also have a children’s menu available for patients under 12 years of age.

Wine or beer may be ordered with dinner (if medically permissible). No alcohol can be brought onto the premises.

Meal times are approximate and can vary. Please ensure your tray table is cleared prior to the below times.

Early morning tea       6:00am
Breakfast                        7:30am
Morning tea                  10:00am
Lunch                              12:00pm
Afternoon tea               2:00pm
Dinner                             4:45pm
Supper                            7:00pm

A small pantry with tea and coffee facilities is located on each floor for use by patients and visitors. A vending machine with a variety of snacks is also available on the 1st floor.
Patients are welcome to order food and drinks from Three Sons Café via extension 5199 with room delivery during their opening hours at patient’s own cost.

Food brought into the hospital
Any food brought into the hospital by you and/or your visitors is stored/consumed at your own risk. A refrigerator is located on each floor for patients to use. Please ensure that all items are packaged appropriately, labelled with your name, room number and date. Please ensure all food is removed upon your discharge.

Mail
Any mail for patients will be distributed to rooms in the afternoon.

Spiritual needs
If you would like to be visited by a religious or spiritual representative/ clergy, you are welcome to arrange this. Please speak to our team if you would like us to arrange this for you.

Laundry
sportsmed does not offer an on-site laundry service for personal items. An offsite laundry service is available at patient’s own cost.

On your arrival

Reception staff will assist in the completion of any paperwork and payments due on admission. Please note you will be admitted based on the order of the theatre list and not the time of your arrival.

The admission nurse will escort you to the locker area and change room, where you can store your personal belongings securely. You will be provided with a theatre gown and dressing gown to wear. The key for your locker will remain pinned to your dressing gown for the entire time you are at the hospital.

The anaesthetist will examine you and discuss the proposed anaesthetic. Most procedures are performed under a general anaesthetic; however some are performed under regional or local anaesthesia.

Your surgery will commence approximately 1½ hours after your admission. As no pre-medication is usually required, you will generally be able to walk into the operating room. The length of the procedure is determined by the nature and complexity. Newspapers, magazines and televisions are made available in the pre-surgery waiting area for you to enjoy.

Children and adolescents under 16yrs

Parents or guardians must stay with children until their surgery. Our team will advise you when your child is in the recovery area, and when you can re-join them.

After your surgery

Following your surgery, you will be transferred to first stage recovery where you will be under the care of our specialised nursing team who will manage your comfort and safety.

After approximately 1½ hours in the first stage recovery area, or whenever you are deemed able to by our team, you will be assisted to the second stage recovery. Here you will be seated in a comfortable arm chair and provided with ear phones for radio, television or in-house music, magazines, newspapers, and some light refreshments.

Your surgeon may see you after your surgery, or, if necessary, may telephone you the following day. If your surgery requires it, the physiotherapist will visit and commence your physiotherapy exercises whilst you are in second stage recovery.

If your surgery is arthroscopic you will receive a photograph showing an aspect of your injury, taken during the procedure. Your surgeon or physiotherapist may discuss this with you, if required.

To protect the privacy of all patients, visitors are not permitted in the recovery areas unless they are the responsible adult collecting you for discharge or accompanying a child or dependent.

Wound dressings

Prior to your discharge, one of our nurses will explain how to take care of your wound and/or dressing. You may be required to remove or change your dressing when you go home so please ensure that you understand the requirements. If needed, written material with instructions will be provided to assist you.

Going home

Our team will provide you with instructions for your ongoing care and safety, as well as telephone numbers for questions or enquiries regarding ongoing care needs.

You will require a responsible adult to escort you and stay with you overnight.

You may wish to organise in advance ‘over the counter’ pain relief and if applicable to your surgery type, a commercial ice pack, or crushed ice in a bag (to be applied over a tea towel or in a pillow case cover), to assist in reducing any swelling. Most patients are able to walk with minimal discomfort, and following lower limb surgery, crutches are rarely required.

Sickness or caregivers’ certificates are provided at this time, if required. If you do require a certificate, please advise our team prior to your discharge. A prescription for pain relief will be given upon discharge and will need to be filled as required. Our team will provide you with a nursing discharge summary which will highlight when your pain relief is due and post-operative care requirements.

Post-operatively, patients are advised to stay within two hours road travel of sportsmed, with a responsible adult to take care of them overnight. Patients are not to drive themselves home or stay home alone as it is unsafe no matter how well you may feel.

At home

Ensure that you have a responsible adult stay with you overnight. The medication that was used to put you to sleep for surgery will be active in your body for the next 24 hours so you may feel sleepy. This will wear off over the next 24 hours.

During this period you should NOT:

• Drive a car
• Drink alcohol
• Make important decisions or sign any paperwork
• Travel alone on public transport
• Use hazardous machinery
• Engage in sports, heavy lifting or work
• Smoke.

Please complete the admission forms (preferably during your orthopaedic consultation and /or hospital booking) using a ballpoint pen. Should you need assistance in completing the forms please speak to your surgeon’s personal assistant. Once completed return these forms to your surgeon’s personal assistant. If you are unable to complete these forms whilst at sportsmed, please return them (using the enclosed reply paid envelope) at your earliest convenience and a minimum of two weeks before your admission. Additionally:

1. Obtain an up-to-date list of current medications from your GP. Please bring this list with you to all appointments and to the hospital on the day of your admission.
2. Ensure you bring along any current x-rays or scans (USB, CD, films) relevant to your surgery to the hospital on the day of your admission.
3. Follow your admitting surgeon’s instructions regarding admission date and time, fasting and medication instructions prior to surgery.
4. Please contact your health fund before admission to check your level of cover and clarify any excesses or co-payments that are payable prior to or on admission.
5. If you are a self-insured patient, a base estimate has been provided by your surgeon’s personal assistant, and is payable prior to admission. Please refer to your Informed Financial Consent form which covers the financial consequences.
6. Workers compensation, third party and public liability patients require a letter of approval from the relevant insurer prior to admission.

How to return forms

Completed forms can be delivered to sportsmed in a number of ways:

Mail
No postage stamp is required. Please allow two weeks for delivery. Please post completed forms to:

sportmed
Level 1, 32 Payneham Road
Stepney, SA 5069

Fax
08 8362 0071

If the forms are faxed please remember to bring the originals with you on the day of your admission.

Hand delivered
Forms can be hand delivered to our orthopaedics team at:

sportsmed
Level 1, 32 Payneham Road
Stepney, SA 5069

If for any reason you are unable to return the completed forms within the time required, please contact your surgeon’s personal assistant or one of our staff on 08 8362 7788.

Pre-admission clinic and pre-operative appointments

You may be asked to attend a pre-admission appointment or clinic depending on the type of surgery you will be undergoing. Your surgeon’s personal assistant will arrange for you to be contacted by the pre admission nurse.
The appointments/clinics are staffed by experienced nurses who will:

• Talk to you about your care before and after surgery
• Commence discharge planning to help you plan for your return home and rehabilitation
• Answer any questions you may have about your surgery and your hospital stay
• Pre-admission clinics/appointments help you know what to expect from your surgery and your hospital stay. They help ensure your admission on the day of your surgery is well planned and relaxed as possible.

Pre-operative surgery preparation

To minimise the risk of infection after your surgery, you may be requested to clean your operative site with the E-Z chlorhexidine scrub provided, the night before and morning of your surgery WHILE SHOWERING.

• Clean your hands prior to opening scrub packet
• Open scrub packet, discard the plastic nail cleaner and wet the sponge
• In the shower use the sponge to wash the operative site first then the remainder of the limb followed by the rest of your body, then rinse off
• Pat dry the skin with a clean towel/paper towel and discard sponge
• Repeat procedure on the morning of your surgery.

For further information please contact our Infection Control Coordinator from Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am – 4:30pm on 08 8130 1100 (extension 3154) or alternatively speak to one of our nursing staff.

It is our aim that your surgical expectations are met and best outcomes are achieved.

Referral to a consultant physician and/or anaesthetist prior to admission

Some patients will be referred to a consultant physician and/or anaesthetist for a pre-operative review.

The purpose of this review is to assess your suitability for surgery and to reduce any potential health risks and complications associated with your proposed surgical procedure.

The nominated physician and/or anaesthetist is well known to our facility and is highly regarded, experienced and thorough in assessing patients.

The physician and/or anaesthetist will provide a summary and recommendations to your surgeon and relevant nursing personnel to ensure that the best possible preparation is arranged. The physician and/or anaesthetist will also be available to visit and treat you in the hospital should the need arise post-operatively.

Your surgeon’s personal assistant will arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Your completed Patient Health History form, if available, will also be provided to the physician and/or anaesthetist in preparation for your consultation.

Patient weight and body mass safety

sportsmed specialises in the provision of orthopaedic surgery and for safety reasons, there are some restrictions on patient admission in relation to weight and body mass index (BMI).

If your BMI is over 35 you are classified as being severely obese and your risk of post-operative complications may be increased. If you develop significant complications you may require a transfer to a hospital which has an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It may be in your interest to consider:

• Sleep studies
• Weight loss
• Deferring surgery until your weight is reduced.

If you are concerned about your weight or BMI, please discuss this with your surgeon as alternative hospital arrangements may be available.

Patients that weigh more than 150kg cannot be admitted to sportsmed due to equipment weight safety limits. Patients with high weight or BMI may need access to a specialised bariatric unit available at other hospitals.

Preventing infections

We have a dedicated Infection Control Coordinator who works with staff to help reduce and prevent infections.

Infection control is an important part of your hospital stay and involves many aspects such as standard and transmission based precautions, aseptic technique, safe handling of sharps and other waste, environmental cleaning, appropriate use of antibiotic therapy, prevention and management of infections and processing of medical devices.

We encourage all patients to direct visitors to utilise our hand sanitiser stations positioned across the facility.

For more about information on preventing infections and hand hygiene, please speak to our nursing staff or request an Infection Control brochure.

On the day of your surgery and hospital admission, please arrive at the hospital reception at the time designated by your surgeon. Please bring all current medications in original packaging along with all current and relevant x-rays and scans (USB, CD, films).

Fasting instructions

Unless your surgeon or anaesthetist gives you special instructions, do not eat anything six hours prior to your admission. Do not chew gum or suck on sweets. Water may be taken up to two hours prior to your admission (max one glass per hour). Prescribed medication can be taken with a sip of water as directed by your doctor.

What to bring with you

Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes and avoid high heel shoes and jewellery. If you wear glasses or contact lenses please ensure that you bring along a glasses case or a container for storing these items. Please do not bring any valuables, apart from money, or a credit card required for payment of your account.

If you have a medical power of attorney, advanced care directive and/or a living will, please bring these with you the day of your admission.

Remove all piercings, make-up and nail polish. Wedding rings can be removed/taped prior to surgery.

To assist you in your preparation, please see the below checklist.

Patient checklist

Please ensure that you bring the following with you to hospital:

• Medicare card
• Private health membership card
• DVA card (if applicable)
• Claim number (for workers’ compensation patients) and contact details for your case manager
• Pharmaceutical benefits and pension card (if applicable)
• Your current medication in original containers
• Up-to-date list of all current medications from your GP
• A list of any known allergies
• Any relevant x-rays (USB, CD, films) and medical reports
• Glasses, hearing aid and reading material if desired
• Any legal documents relating to your health care such as a Medical Power of Attorney, Advanced Care Directive and/or a Living Will.
• Favourite toy, games, DVDs, iPad etc. (children and adolescents)
• Pyjamas and/or dressing gown.

Planning for going home

Your surgeon will advise you the length of time you will be in hospital. Try and plan your surgery for a time when you will have someone at home to assist you when you are discharged.

If you are having day surgery you will require a responsible adult to accompany you home from hospital and stay overnight. You will not be admitted unless you have a known and responsible person accompanying you home.

When you are admitted, a nurse will assist in preparing you for surgery by undertaking any necessary checks and discussing plans for your care whilst in hospital. If you have any questions regarding your surgery please speak to one of our nurses.

Your nurse will advise you of the name of your anaesthetist and the estimated time of your surgery.

In preparation for your surgery you will need to shower (if you haven’t already done so) and change into a hospital gown. In most cases, unless otherwise advised by our staff, please leave your underpants on. Your nurse will prepare the area or limb on which the surgery will be conducted and paint it with antiseptic lotion. Some patients may be given an anti-microbial sponge with instructions to use on the area of surgery prior to admission.

Your anaesthetist will see you prior to your surgery, either in your room or in the theatre suite. They will discuss the type of anaesthetic with you and any associated risks.

A hospital nurse will escort you to the theatre where a theatre nurse will meet you and check all your details.

Recovery

Following your surgery you will be transferred into recovery, a special observation area where you will be closely monitored by our staff while you wake up from your anaesthetic.

Depending on your surgery you may have:

• An intravenous drip (iv)
• A dressing, bandage or plaster
• A wound drain to drain any excess fluid/blood (this will reduce swelling and help healing)
• Oxygen mask and/or plastic nasal specs in your nose.

When you are comfortable, the recovery staff will arrange for you to be transferred back to your room.

Close observational unit

In some circumstances it is medically appropriate for patients to be nursed in an area where closer observation is required. In most cases this will be discussed with you at the time of admission and you will be shown the area. The duration of time you are nursed in this Close Observational Unit is usually overnight on the day of your surgery, then you will be transferred back to a private room.

Pain relief and medications

It is essential that you notify our team of all prescription and non-prescription medicines that you are taking. This includes ‘over the counter’ and ‘complementary’ medicines and recreational drugs as they may interfere with your treatment.

Pain relief medication will be provided to you by your nurse either through an injection, tablet or patient controlled analgesia (PCA). You will be asked to assess your pain/comfort level from a scale of one to ten.

It is normal to have some pain following surgery. We aim to relieve the pain sufficiently for you to rest, move around and perform your exercises comfortably. Do not wait until your pain is unbearable before requesting medication. Tell us if the pain medication we give you is not relieving your pain.

It is important to take your tablets for pain relief regularly as this will provide an even control of your pain. Some pain relief can cause constipation in some people. If you are experiencing any problems with this, please speak to one of our nurses. If able, drinking plenty of water, eating a high fibre diet and early mobilisation can assist in relieving constipation.

If you are feeling sick or nauseous please alert our team as they may be able to provide you with medication to help. Some patients may also require antibiotics as a precaution to assist in infection prevention. Where appropriate, regular use of ice packs on the surgical area during your hospitalisation and at home can reduce swelling and pain levels.

Any new medications will be provided to you while in hospital. Your discharge medications/prescriptions can be filled at the on site pharmacy on discharge.

Staff identification
All of our team wear name badges as a means of identification and security. The badge shows the team members name and position. If you cannot see a team members identification badge you may ask them to show you.

Rehabilitation and exercises
An important part of your recovery may be rehabilitation exercises. If required, you may have an inhospital physiotherapist consultation. The physiotherapist will explain to you the exercises you are required to undertake to ensure recovery is successful, and arrange for any walking aids to be supplied (walking frame, crutches).

Some patients who have undergone knee procedures may be required to use a Continuous Passive Movement (CPM) machine to perform specific exercises. Our team will explain the use and benefits of this machine.

Below are some exercises that will assist all patients in their recovery:

Deep breathing
• Deep breathing and coughing will help prevent the build up of secretion in the lungs and reduce the risk of developing a chest infection. Simply take three very deep breaths and then cough on the third breath. Our team will encourage you to do this.

Leg exercises
• Leg exercises will help reduce the risk of a blood clot developing in your calf if you are lying in bed for long periods. Pump your feet backwards and forwards as if you are pumping a car accelerator. You should be able to feel your calf muscle tighten when you are doing this. Tighten and relax all the muscles in your legs and bend your knees up and down. Attempt
to do ten of these every hour.

Wound dressings
Prior to your discharge one of our nurses will explain how to take care of your wound and/or dressing. Most often this will remain in place until the surgeon’s review. However,
you may be required to remove or change your dressing when you go home so please ensure that you understand the requirements. If needed, written material with instructions will be provided. The few days following surgery During the first 24-48 hours until your IV, wound drain and dressing are removed, our team will be able to assist you with most things. When you begin to move around again it is best to take things slowly as the effects of the anaesthetic and other medications can last for a few days. It is recommended when you get out of bed, you sit for at least a few minutes on the edge of the bed before moving off. Remember to lower the bed before you attempt to get off of it.

When you are able, your nurse will assist you in the shower, if required. Your wound may need to be covered with a waterproof dressing or a plastic bag. At any time if you are in doubt about managing on your own, call for a nurse.

Your surgeon will advise when you will be going home, and of any special requirements, once you are home.

Occasionally patients may need to be discharged to a rehabilitation hospital. Your surgeon and our nursing team will discuss this further with you prior to your discharge. Discharge time is 10am. This assists us to prepare for new patients. Please discuss any alternative arrangements with the nursing staff on admission.

Our nursing staff will provide you with instructions for your ongoing care and safety, as well as telephone numbers for emergencies.

Sickness certificates are provided at this time, if required. If you do require a certificate, please advise our staff prior to your discharge.

If you are discharged within 24 hours of your surgery, ensure that you have a responsible adult stay with you overnight after your procedure.

The medication that was used to put you to sleep will be active in your body for the next 24 hours so you may feel sleepy. This will wear off over the next 24 hours.

During this period you should NOT:

• Drive a car
• Drink alcohol
• Make important decisions or sign any paperwork
• Travel alone on public transport
• Use hazardous machinery
• Engage in sports, heavy lifting or work
• Smoke.

If you are flying, please contact your airline before your surgery to check their medical requirements. Many airlines require a medical flight clearance.

Discharge checklist

To assist you in your preparation for discharge, please ensure that you:

• Check all the cupboards, drawers and bathroom for your belongings
• Ask for the return of any valuables that may have been locked away
• Collect medications that you brought from home and any new ones or scripts
• Take all your x-rays
• Received and understood discharge instructions.

If you have any questions about your discharge, please speak to one of our nursing staff.

When surgery is recommended you will be given a comprehensive financial estimate from your surgeon’s personal assistant for the operation, attending surgeon, his assistant, anaesthetist and incidental charges at the time of booking.

Please ensure that you ask any questions you may have about the fees and charges before your surgery. While we make every effort to provide you with a detailed and accurate estimate prior to your admission, additional expenses may be incurred.

All private health funds and patients including uninsured are welcome at sportsmed.

Medicare

Private health insurance

Workers’ Compensation or Third Party

Prior to admission we require written approval from your workers’ compensation or third party provider confirming that all costs will be covered. Your claim number must be included on the written approval. Written approval is required for each admission. Just because you may have been covered under a claim for a previous admission does not automatically mean you will be covered for your next admission.

All liability for expenses associated with hospitalisation lies with the patient. Please ensure that you confirm with your private health fund your level of cover so you know exactly what excess you may be expected to pay. In the event this prior written approval is not received, your surgery will be cancelled. If the surgery proceeds, you will be financially responsible for all costs incurred.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Australian Defence Force

Overseas patients

Other Fees

Ambulance

Prosthesis

Anaesthetists

Payments

Interest and Debt Recovery

Account Enquiries