The Peri-operative Service:
- Streamlines the process for elective surgery admissions, for all patients.
- Assesses how good a patient’s health is prior to their surgery and if neccessary organises appointments with other specialists, further tests and investigations (including cardio-respiratory stress testing).
- Ensures that patients are in the best possible condition, both physically and mentally to undergo their anaesthetic and surgical procedure
- Provides patients with admission instructions and educational material prior to their surgery
- Admits elective surgery patients on the day of surgery, where they are prepared for theatre. The patient will meet Peri-operative Service nurses, their anaesthetic nurse, their anaesthetist and members of the surgical team prior to surgery.
The Peri-operative Service also helps organise a patient’s discharge from hospital so that any help that may be required at home can be arranged as early as possible. If the patient will not be able to go straight home from hospital, we will help to arrange alternative accommodation.
We also liase with the many other support services, to ensure that all possible assistance is provided to the patient and their family after discharge from the hospital, for example:
- Home Referral Service
- District Nursing and Council services
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Pathology
- Dietician
- Diabetes Referral Centre
- Pain Clinic
- Stomal Therapy
- Breast Cancer Support
- Cancer Care Coordinator
- Social Work
- Continence Nurse
- Respite for family members
What to Bring on Day of Surgery
- All medicines that you are currently taking
- Any relevant x-rays that you have
- Glasses and a glasses case
- Hearing aid and it’s case
- Medicare and/or concession card
- If staying overnight, a small bag with pyjamas and toiletries
What Not To Bring
Do not bring any valuables such as wallet/purse/money, or mobile phones. We have no facilities to care for valuables and cannot take responsibility for any loss. Please remove all jewellery, including body piercings where possible.
Interpreters
An interpreter can be arranged to attend any appointments and be present for admission on the day of surgery. Interpreters are available for most languages as well as assisting access for hearing impaired patients.
Transport Home
For patients going home on the same day as their operation it is essential that there is
- a responsible adult present to escort them home
- a responsible adult able to stay with them for the first 24 hours.
- a contact number provided to the Peri-operative Service of the adult who is going to pick up the patient following surgery.
PATIENTS MUST NOT DRIVE A CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY FOR 24 HOURS AFTER AN OPERATION
Appointments
Patients are often required to attend multiple appointments. Most of these appointments will be in the Peri-operative Service on Level 4, but could also include the Outpatient or Cardiology Departments. We will always try, where possible, to group these appointments on one day to minimise the disruption to your normal routine (especially if you are travelling from outside Geelong) and we will try to organise to have any tests performed well in advance of surgery. There may therefore be a lengthy wait at times. Please be patient, but do tell us if you have been waiting more than 30 minutes for a scheduled appointment.
Accommodation
The Peri-operative Service is able to provide a list of accommodation close to the hospital if required. If you live more than 100kms away you will be eligible for a rebate on accommodation and/or travel costs. Please discuss this with us.
Patient Education
Most of the wards offer an opportunity to visit them before surgery and have an informal education session. Patients are extended an invitation to the appropriate ward. It is optional, but offers the opportunity to talk to nurses on the ward about what to expect after surgery.
Childcare
There is limited childcare available at the Teddy Bear House at 283 Ryrie Street, opposite the Emergency Department. This service is only to be used for appointments or for visiting, Monday to Friday from 9.30am-3.30pm. On the day of surgery an adult other than the patient should be responsible for childcare.
Breastfeeding
Please notify the Peri-operative Service if your breastfed baby will be staying with you in hospital. Whilst you are in surgery you will need to have arranged for an adult to care for the baby. The baby can stay with you right up until the time of surgery and may be able to be brought into recovery to be fed.
Remember to keep up your fluid intake before you start fasting. We generally recommend that you express and discard the first feed after your anaesthetic, but it is then generally possible to continue breast-feeding while in hospital. |