Pittwater Day Surgery
Pittwater Day Surgery
PDS staff photo

Pittwater Day Surgery - Patient Information

* (As it is cumbersome to read "You/your child are/is" in the following section please read as above when "you" is written).

The patient journey through Pittwater Day Surgery

Bookings

If you have seen Dr Elsworth or Dr Taplin our staff can book you in that day, for surgery at the appropriate time. We ask that you fill out your Admission Form thoroughly and leave it with us if possible. If not we ask that you fill it out and post it back to us ASAP. For all other patients, the particular Specialist you see will ask you to fill out the Admission form, and either leave it with the Reception staff or fill it out at home and post it back to us ASAP.

You will also be given the Pittwater Day Surgery Brochure, the Surgeon's costs, a Pre-operation list of do's and don'ts as far as planning ahead for the operation ie X-Rays results, medications to take and not to take, post operation care, appointments etc.

We know you often receive a large amount of information when booking in. Therefore we are happy to answer any queries if you are in doubt about any aspect of your stay with us. For any surgical procedures you are advised that you are to not have any blood thinning agents for 2 weeks prior to your surgery. These include medication such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories (Nurofen) and natural remedies. If you are prescribed blood thinning agents of any kind check with your surgeon as to when and if to cease them. Our Fund Manager will let you know if you have any excess to pay and obtain informed financial consent for this, usually 5-7 days before your surgery is due. This excess depends on your level of cover your have with your particular Health Fund.

Pre Admission Nurse

We ask that you call the Pre Admissions Nurse the day before your procedure is due to obtain the time to come into the Day Surgery and to go through a check list. She will advise you to leave any valuables at home as we are unable to accept any responsibility for their loss. She will confirm the following information with you:

She will let you know how long you will be with us and when your escort (if applicable) will be able to pick you up. There are often extra specific instructions, depending on your surgery. She will fill in those details with you.

Escorts and Carers

If you are having General Anaesthetic (GA) or IV or Oral Sedation you must have an escort to pick you up and take you home. In most cases someone will be required to stay with you overnight. If you have problems finding an escort or carer, you should contact the Admissions Nurse who can arrange a carer at cost to you.

The Day of the Procedure

You will have been advised to go to the Reception Desk. Any excess needs to be paid on the day of admission - the Receptionist will invoice you for this. You will already have been given informed financial consent for this amount. See Fees and Charges for further details. If you are not in a fund you may be asked to pay for all the costs before your surgery. You will be advised what these costs are pre-operatively. See Fees and Charges for further details.

Nursing Admission

Our admitting nurse will do the Admission by: Checking your details including name, DOB, operation and side, consent form, signatures, allergy status, fasting status, blood pressure, temperature, pulse and weight. Any last minutes questions will be answered then.

Anaesthetic Consultation

If you are having a General Anaesthetic or IV Sedation the Anaesthetist will then conduct a consultation and medical examination before you are asked to go to the waiting area. You will then be called to the change room before proceeding to the Operating Theatre.

pic Operating Theatre

Operating Theatre

There are usually 3 nurses and the surgeon in the theatre. One parent may come in with children and adolescents. Once you have changed into a gown the staff will say hello and you will be asked to lie on the operating table. For adults Blood Pressure and ECG equipment will be attached to you to monitor your heart while you are asleep. You will hear beeping from this machinery and see bright lights. The Aneasthetist will administer her/his initial anaesthetic via a small needle/cannula or mask (for younger patients).

Confirming the Identity of the You and the Procedure

The Registered Nurses caring for you will then ask a number of questions. They include name, date of birth, allergy status (if you are wearing a red hat), and details of the operation. By this time you may be tired of verifying this information. Unfortunately the information is extremely important. It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure that all your details are correct. You will then be anaesthetised either by General Anaesthesia or Local Anaesthesia with our without IV or Oral Sedation. Children have General Anaesthesia. If you have had a General Anaesthetic or IV Sedation you will wake up in Recovery with an Oxygen mask on. You may also have a IV drip in your arm for rehydration. Parents may come into Recovery once their child is awake and stable.

first stage recovery

Recovery

As soon as you your observations are stable and you are alert, you are transferred from first stage recovery to a recliner chair in the second stage Recovery area where you will be offered light refreshments.

second stage recovery

Discharge from the Day Surgery

The Recovery Nurse will phone your escort when you are ready to be discharged. Your escort may need to pick up prescribed medication. On the escort's return the Recovery Nurse will go through the Discharge Instructions with you both. You will be advised that for 24 hours after a General Anaesthetic or IV Sedation you should not drive or operate machinery, sign important documents or make important decisions. We also ask that you fill out a Patient Satisfaction Survey or take it home to fill out. This information is important to us and can be constructive critisism or suggestions. Aknowledged praise is of course welcome also. All feed back is sought and valued as it helps to improve our level of service.

The Day following your Procedure

You will receive a phone call from us to provide post-operative care. If we are unable to contact you we leave a message to call back if you have any problems.