St Vincents Private Hospital - PATIENT INFORMATION DIRECTORY This directory is the property of the Hospital. Please do not remove.
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St Vincents Private Hospital
PATIENT INFORMATION DIRECTORY
This directory is the property of the Hospital.
Please do not remove.
PATIENT INFORMATION
Contact us
Main Entrance 20 Dalley Street, Lismore
Patients Admission Entrance 61 Avondale Avenue, Lismore
Postal Address PO Box 572, Lismore NSW 2480
Web Address www.svh.org.au
Telephone No (02) 66 279 600
Facsimile No (02) 66 224 298
Hospital Services
Surgical Services
Dental
Ear, Nose and Throat
Endoscopy
General Surgery
Gynaecology
Ophthalmology and Vitreo-Retinal Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Urology, including Laser Prostate Treatment
and Laser Lithotripsy
Vascular Surgery
Medical Services
General Medicine
Haematology
Infusional Service
Oncology
Palliative Care
Rehabilitation / Hydrotherapy
Renal Dialysis
Sleep Disorder Diagnostic Service
Patients Admission Entrance
via Avondale Avenue
2
PATIENT INFORMATION
Contents Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
Mission, Values and Vision
Radiology
History
Veterans Liaison Officer – Department of
Welcome Veterans’ Affairs Entitlement Patients
Hospital Services and Facilities
Accommodation General Information
Accommodation for Relatives Complaint Process
Chapel Discharge Information
Friends Coffee Lounge and Tea Room Donations and Bequests
Hairdresser / Hairdryers Feedback
Interpreting Services Hospital Fees
Justice of the Peace Medical Record and Privacy
Mail and Deliveries Patient Rights and Responsibilities –
What to expect as a Private Patient
Newspapers
Parking
Nurse Call System
Security
Telephones / Mobile Phones
Smoking / Alcohol
Television
Visiting Hours
Our Team
Health Promotion
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention
Discharge Planners / Clinical Nurse Specialists
Falls Prevention Program
Diabetes Educator
Red Dot Mobility Program
Dietitian
Hand Hygiene
Friends Volunteers
Skin Care Program
Hospitality Services
10 Tips to Safer Health Care
Occupational Therapy
Pathology
3
PATIENT INFORMATION
Our Mission In 1932, the 30-bed two storey brick hospital,
currently named the Ryan Wing, was opened.
St Vincents Hospital, established by the Catholic The 25 bed K.G. Lawrance Rehabilitation Unit,
Diocese of Lismore in 1921, is a community named after Dr Ken Lawrance, was established
working together in faith, hope and charity, in 1966. The Roberts Wing was added to the
providing quality health care marked by main hospital in 1970. St Vincents Hospital
compassion and respect for the human person in Specialist Medical Centre was opened in 1997.
the spirit of Jesus Christ. These buildings recognise the significant
contribution made by medical specialists in the
Our Values development of St Vincents Private Hospital.
We believe in and cherish COMPASSION as the St Josephs Nursing Home, a sixty bed aged care
core value within our services. We are facility, opened as a Hospice in the current
committed to Respect and Teamwork. These Carroll Centre in 1937, relocating to the current
values empower our actions in the spirit of site in 1982.
St Vincent and enable healing. In 1990, St Vincents Hospital was privatised to
accommodate ninety-one medical and surgical
Our Vision patients. A new era of hospital excellence
emerged with the opening, in 1991, of a 60 bed
Conscious that human life is a precious gift from private wing and a third operating theatre.
God, St Vincents Private Hospital, Lismore, seeks Refurbishment in 1998 incorporated a dedicated
to provide whole of life health services of the Day Surgery, Endoscopy and Ophthalmology
highest quality, to support and to enrich Unit. The Private Rehabilitation Unit, Sleep
individual and community life, in accordance Disorder Clinic and Day Oncology Services were
with the teachings of the Catholic Church. established in 2007. The Renal Dialysis Service
was established in 2009.
Caring for People
In 2011, the hospital received a Commonwealth
All staff are dedicated to the philosophy of Government Grant for the construction and
‘Caring for People’ in a friendly and professional development of an Education Centre. The
manner. Centre is used for the education and training of
doctors, nurses and
Our History allied health
professionals in
St Vincents Hospital Lismore, a not-for-profit public and private
Private Hospital, owned and operated by the healthcare in
Catholic Diocese of Lismore, was established in Lismore and
1921. The Sisters of Charity were responsible surrounding
for the administration of the hospital from 1921 districts.
until 1980.
Explicit in our
The weatherboard building on Dalley Street, founding tradition
known as Tarmons, was the original hospital was a vision of ‘care
consisting of three wards with ten beds and an for the dying’.
operating theatre.
4
PATIENT INFORMATION
Today a dedicated Palliative Care Unit enables us medical condition of patients already in the
to continue this specialised care for patients and hospital and the occupancy level. If you are
families. uncomfortable with your initial allocated
accommodation, please discuss this with the
Pastoral Care support to patients and their
Nurse Unit Manager.
relatives continue the philosophy of care
commenced in 1921. Accommodation for Relatives
The Friends Volunteer Services have expanded Carinya House is located within the hospital
since 1921 to include a ‘service of care’ as well grounds. Your relatives are most welcome to
as providing financial support. use this facility. Please contact the main
reception desk on “9” for information regarding
Welcome bookings, availability and charges. Meals are
available at the staff cafeteria for a small fee.
Welcome to St Vincents Private Hospital. We Meal vouchers may be obtained from the main
trust that you, your family and friends will feel at reception desk.
ease in the knowledge that your care and
comfort are our primary concerns. During your Chapel
stay we aim to provide you with the best The Chapel is located next to the main reception
possible standard of health care. desk on the ground floor and is open daily for
Our staff are here to meet your needs and those prayer and reflection.
of your family, so if you have any questions, or
concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss these
with our staff who are willing to assist you. We
value your feedback and make every effort to
improve the care we provide.
St Vincents is accredited with the Australian
Council of Healthcare Standards.
We have compiled this directory of our services
to assist you during your stay with us. Friends Coffee Lounge and Tea Room
Thank you for choosing St Vincents Private The Coffee Lounge is located adjacent to the
Hospital, Lismore. main entrance on Dalley Street, serving a superb
range of light meals, gourmet sandwiches, rolls,
cakes, coffee and teas. Other items available are
Hospital Services and Facilities newspapers and magazines, cards and gifts,
flowers, confectionary and some toiletry items.
Accommodation Opening hours are 8am – 5pm weekdays and
St Vincents provides single and shared room 10am – 2.00pm Saturday, closed Sunday and
accommodation. All rooms have ensuite public holidays.
facilities and each bedside console has a locked
The Tea Room is located on the left as you enter
drawer for the storage of medications.
the hospital via the Avondale Avenue Patient
Whilst we endeavour to satisfy every request for Admission entrance. Opening hours are 9.30am
a single room, at times this is dependent on the – 3pm weekdays.
5
PATIENT INFORMATION
Hairdresser Telephones - Outgoing Calls
Your Ward Business Co-ordinator can arrange for There is a telephone beside each bed. To make
a hairdresser to visit the hospital if you require a local call dial “0”, listen for the dial tone then
this service. The hairdresser will charge a dial the number. All local calls are free of
standard fee. charge. For all other calls, phone cards may be
used and are available for purchase at Main
Hairdryers
Reception.
Hairdryers are available for your use on request.
Telephones - Incoming Calls
Interpreting Services
All incoming calls to the hospital go through the
If you require an interpreter please ask a main switchboard. The number for relatives to
member of staff from your ward to organise contact the hospital is (02) 66 279 600. If for
one. Every effort will be made to accommodate any reason you wish not to receive calls, please
your requirements. notify the nursing staff and they can arrange for
messages to be taken for you.
Justice of the Peace
The services of a Justice of the Peace (JP) can be Telephones - Mobile Phones
arranged by contacting the Nurse Unit Manager Generally the use of mobile phones is permitted
of your ward. in patient rooms; however mobile phones can
interfere with the operation of sensitive electrical
Mail and Deliveries
equipment and can also cause disturbances. A
All incoming mail, flowers or deliveries addressed staff member may request that you do not use
to you will be delivered to your room daily. We your mobile phone.
can arrange for your outgoing mail to be posted.
Stamps are available from the hospital main Television
reception desk. Any mail arriving after your Television is provided for each bed free of
discharge will be promptly forwarded to your charge. The set has a handset for channel
home address. selection and sound control. Refer to your
Television Guide for details.
Newspapers
The local daily paper is complementary and is
delivered to the ward each day. Other papers are
available for purchase at the Friends Coffee
Lounge.
Nurse Call System
The Nurse Call System operates from the control
next to your bed. The nurse will demonstrate
the functions of the control when you first arrive
in your room. If you require any assistance at all,
please do not hesitate to utilise the Nurse Call
Bell.
6
Let us help improve your wellbeing:
ph: 02 6686 4321
• Manual Wheelchairs
• Bedrooms & Seating
• Mobility
• Bath & Shower
• Toilet Shop 19 Ballina Bouvlevard
• Pressure Care 70 River St Ballina (next to Woolies)
• Daily Living
• Compression Stockings
PATIENT INFORMATION
Our Team patients in various ways to make your hospital
stay more comfortable.
During your stay you will be cared for by
Our volunteers work on a roster system tending
qualified doctors, nurses and allied health
to flowers daily.
professionals who are dedicated to providing you
with the best possible care. You will also Volunteers visit all wards every Wednesday with
encounter a variety of other support staff such the trolley service. Items available for purchase
as clerical, hospitality services staff and include newspapers, magazines, confectionery
volunteers who you will be able to identify by and a small selection of toiletries.
their hospital identification tags.
Hospitality Services
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Our catering staff take great pride in the meal
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care support is available services provided for you. All food is cooked
for the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of fresh daily with a choice available at each meal.
patients and families.
A menu is provided to you daily. From this you
Discharge Planners / Clinical Nurse may make your meal selections for the following
Specialists day. If, due to your medical condition you have
The hospital has designated Discharge Planners certain dietary requirements, the nursing staff or
and Clinical Nurse Specialists to ensure your dietitian will advise you on the appropriate
transition from hospital to home is as smooth as choices.
possible. The discharge planner organises Please ask your NURSE if you require assistance
appointments and various services as required. to:
Diabetes Educator • get ready for your meal (sit upright or sit out
The hospital has a Diabetes Educator who is of bed),
available to see patients with diabetes and • open food and/or fluid packages or set up
provide information to assist with diabetes self your meal tray
care solutions. This service can be arranged for
A qualified dietitian is available to arrange
you by your doctor or nursing staff on your
special diets where this is in the interest of your
ward.
medical care. Diabetic and special diets are
Dietitian catered for. Please nominate any special
requirements on your menu.
A Clinical Dietitian is available for consultation/
dietary education if required or requested by Meal times commence at:
your medical team during your stay in hospital.
Breakfast 7.30am
The nursing staff on your ward can arrange this
service for you. Lunch 12.00 midday
Dinner 5.30pm
Friends Volunteers
The hospital has a large volunteer network. Light Supper between 7.30 & 8.30pm
These volunteers are valued members of our Morning and afternoon teas are also served.
hospital community. They assist and help
8
PATIENT INFORMATION
Cleaning of patient rooms and hospital facilities Pathology
is undertaken in accordance with the NSW Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP) offer a
Department of Human Services Hospital specialist medical service comprising bedside
Cleaning Standards, HICMR Infection Control pathology collection for inpatients. Onsite
guidelines, and applicable Australian Standards. collection rooms, laboratory and Pathologist's
Staff will not enter a patient’s room to undertake suites are located on Level One of St Vincents
cleaning if a “Do not disturb” sign is displayed Medical Centre. SNP accounts are separate to
on the door. If you are asleep or in the ensuite the hospital accounts.
when staff enter the room, they will not disturb
Pharmacy
you, but return at a more convenient time.
The pharmacy is a private service contracted to
The Infection Control Co-Coordinator is available the hospital to provide pharmaceutical services.
to provide information and assistance regarding As well as all the usual prescription and over the
infection prevention and management. counter medications, the pharmacy also stocks a
range of general pharmacy items.
This hospital has a generic dispensing policy to
help keep the cost of medications to you at a
minimum. If you do not want to have generic
equivalent medications, please inform the
nursing staff on your ward so they can advise
Pharmacy.
Prior to admission, obtain a list of all your
current medications from your GP (Medication
Profile). If you use a Dose Administration Aid
(eg.Webster-pak) you may obtain a Medication
Occupational Therapist Profile from your pharmacist on request. Bring
A private Occupational Therapy Service operates your current medications (excluding S8
within the hospital Monday to Friday. The medication) with you in their original packaging
Occupational Therapist will organise any or Webster-pak. Please note, due to the hospital
equipment or modifications you require for medication management policy we may not be
discharge, and provide training in Activities of able to use your Webster-pak for dosing during
Daily Living. There is no fee attached to this your hospital stay.
service. Please also bring with you any repeat
Representatives from other church prescriptions. It is particularly important for you
denominations visit the hospital regularly. If you to bring any authority prescriptions.
have any particular requests, please advise Medications will be checked by your doctor and
Pastoral Care who will contact the relevant the pharmacist, and continued in hospital if
church representative. appropriate. Any new medication prescribed, or
repeats of existing medication will be dispensed
by the pharmacy.
10PATIENT INFORMATION
When you come to hospital please remember to outpatient and day rehabilitation programs.
bring any Pharmaceutical Benefits Cards (eg: Please contact the Physiotherapy Department for
Pension / Health Care / Seniors / Safety Net). This further details on 6622 7799.
information will be recorded on your admission
Radiology
and used by Pharmacy for account purposes.
This is a private facility provided by North Coast
During admission if you require personal items
Radiology with consulting rooms in the hospital.
during your stay please telephone the pharmacy
Accounts from this service are separate to the
on extension 529. The items will be delivered to
hospital account.
you and charged to your account. If you would
like information on your medications, or would Veterans (DVA) Liaison Officer
like the pharmacist to review your current Department of Veterans’ Affairs patients in
medications, let your doctor or nurse know. possession of a DVA Gold or Specific White card
Whilst most health funds pay for medications As a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Tier
that are specific to your procedure or reason for 1 Hospital, all DVA Veterans and War Widows
admission, you will receive a separate account with Gold or White card entitlements have
for pharmaceuticals not covered by your health access to our Veterans Liaison Officer (VLO) who
fund. You will receive an account for can be contacted for support via the respective
medications received on discharge. If you wish ward managers or on mobile phone 0400 306
to obtain medications from you own pharmacist 494.
instead, please ask your doctor for a prescription
on discharge. The Department of Veteran St Vincent’s VLO can offer assistance to veterans,
Affairs pay for all medications required by ‘Gold war widows, together with their families and
Card’ holders. carers with any concerns that may arise before,
during and after hospital admission. In addition,
Instructions on how to pay your account are St Vincents Private Hospital has a retired Military
included in detail on your account. Officer / Chaplain available who can visit (bed
If you have any questions concerning your side) and liaise with families as requested. The
medication or your account, please do not Ex-Service Chaplaincy contact can be made via
hesitate to contact the pharmacy on (02) 6624 the ward managers or mobile 0417 241564.
0600.
General Information
Physiotherapist
A private physiotherapy service operates within
Complaints
the hospital 6 days a week. Your doctor may
While we aim to deliver the highest possible
refer you to this service during your admission. A
standard of care, we do realise that there may
client information sheet will be provided to you
be times when you are unhappy with a
which explains details of fees and billing
particular aspect of your care or the service we
arrangements.
provide. We would like to hear about it.
The Practice also provides an outpatient
Initially, discuss the problem with your doctor or
physiotherapy service, hydrotherapy and day
nurse in charge on your ward at the time.
therapy rehabilitation programs. Hydrotherapy
Should this be unsatisfactory, you should request
programs are available as part of the inpatient,
11PATIENT INFORMATION
to see the Director of Nursing or the Chief staff member or the hospital’s Chief Executive
Executive Officer who will investigate your Officer on 6627 9238.
complaint and advise you of the outcome, or
Feedback
advise you of your options for further action
should you be dissatisfied. Your feedback about our services and care is
important to us. We use this information to
Discharge – When you go home assist us in reviewing and improving our services.
You will be discharged when your doctor and These feedback forms are available from the
nurse have confirmed you are ready to go home. nurses station on your ward or at the main
Discharge time is 10am, however if this is not reception of the hospital. We appreciate and
possible, please discuss this with the Nurse Unit welcome your comments and compliments.
Manager. The Ward Business Co-ordinator will
check whether your account has been finalized
prior to discharge. If there is a payment to be
made, please visit the hospital main reception,
Dalley Street entrance, prior to leaving. Our
volunteer service will escort you as required. If
you require discharge medication, pharmacy
staff will arrange the supply of your medication
before you leave the hospital. You will receive
an account for this medication.
Donations & Bequests
Quite a few of our patients, their friends and
relatives ask whether there is some way they can Hospital Fees
express their appreciation for the care we have
If you are a member of a registered Health Fund,
been able to provide.
we advise you to contact your fund prior to your
As a not-for-profit organisation, St Vincents admission to confirm your level of cover. You
appreciates and values the generosity of should be aware that your health insurance may
individuals and organisations in the community not cover all fees and expenses. If you have
for their support. Donations enable us to fund health insurance, admission staff will ask you to
capital works, purchase new equipment, update sign a claim form so the hospital can claim
patient services and facilities to enhance patient directly from the health fund on your behalf.
care. Payment of all out-of-pocket expenses is
Donations may also be left to the hospital in the required at time of admission; the hospital
form of a bequest or gift in kind. Every gift, no accepts all major credit cards, cheques or cash.
matter how large or small makes a difference Self-funded patients and those claiming for a
and is greatly appreciated. sports injury will be required to pay the
All donations $2 and over are tax deductible. If estimated total cost of hospitalisation on
you would like to make a donation or bequest, admission. Depending upon the procedure/s
or would like more information, please contact a performed in theatre and the doctor’s item
12Hannigans
Lawyers, Solicitors
Where you our client, comes first..
Attorneys
We take pride in our service and provision of legal
advice to St Vincent’s Hospital. A service provided since 1982.
We can assist you by providing advice
in all areas of law including:
• Estate Planning • Local Government
• Succession Planning • Partnerships
• All Business & • Criminal
Commercial Matters
• Mediation
• Conveyancing in
NSW & QLD • Deceased Estates
• Employment • Work, Health & Safety
• Industrial • Testamentary Trusts
• Company • Liquor Licensing
• Land and Environment
Casino Kyogle
92 Centre Street 92 Summerland Way
6662 4122 6632 1688
Woodburn Evans Head
111 River Street 43 Woodburn Street
6682 2366 6682 6366
W: www.hannigans.com.au E: enquiries@hannigans.com.auPATIENT INFORMATION
number/s, this estimate may differ from the final includes how the information is collected,
fee charged. stored, used and disclosed. If you have any
further enquiries, please ask for a copy of our
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will
Privacy Policy.
meet all hospital costs if you are a ‘Gold Card’
holder; cover is for shared room accommodation Parking
only. If you wish to be upgraded to a single
Visitor parking is provided in the hospital
room, an additional fee is charged. Single room
grounds. Entrance to car parks are from Dalley
allocation is subject to availability. Please ask
Street, Stock Street and Avondale Avenue.
Admissions staff for costs. You will be required
to show your DVA card on admission. Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patients whose accounts are subject to Workers Information advising you of your rights and
Compensation or Third Party claims, must responsibilities is available at Patient Admissions.
provide the hospital with written approval from We recommend you read this information to
the Insurance Company for hospitalisation fully understand your rights and responsibilities
expenses PRIOR to admission. Insurance claims as a private patient in a private hospital. If you
cover shared room accommodation only. would like a copy of the Private Patients’
Hospital Charter, please ask a member of staff.
Medical Records and Privacy
St Vincents will collect information about you What you can expect as a private patient in
hospital
and record it in your medical record to assist in
providing you with the best possible health care From your Doctor and Hospital:
during your stay. Your medical record is
• Your choice of doctor and access to hospital
confidential and access is limited to those
services at a time that best suits your needs
professionals who are involved in your care. The
contents will only be released for purposes • An explanation of clinical treatment and its
directly related to your treatment and in ways risks before giving consent
that you would reasonably expect for ongoing • Advice on the likely costs of treatment and
care or where required by law. This record any out-of-pocket expenses
remains the property of St Vincents Private
Hospital. You may request access to the • Advice on seeking a second medical opinion
information contained in your medical record by • Confidentiality of personal information
writing to the Health Information Manager at
• Treatment with respect, dignity and
the hospital. A charge may be associated with
compassion
your request.
• Advice on care after discharge
St Vincents is committed to ensuring that the
management of your personal information • Advice on making a complaint.
complies with relevant Commonwealth and From your Health Fund:
State Privacy Legislation. In accordance with this
• Advice on the health cover available,
legislation, all staff employed at St Vincents are
insurance premiums, benefits and conditions
required to respect the confidentiality and
of cover.
privacy of your personal information. This
14PATIENT INFORMATION
• Advice on making a complaint about a Visiting Hours
private health insurance matter. Hospital visiting hours are 10am to 1pm and
2.30pm to 8pm daily. It is important that
Security
visitors observe these times to enable patients to
In the interests of safety and security of our
rest.
patients, visitors and staff, access to the hospital
after 6pm is only through the hospital main Visiting hours for the Rehabilitation Unit are
entrance (via Dalley Street). 2.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to
8pm on weekends.
ALL access doors will be locked at 6pm. After
that time visitors may use the intercom system Visits to the Palliative Care Unit are unrestricted,
located at the hospital main entrance to request unless patients are receiving medical or nursing
access. care.
Patients and visitors accessing the hospital after
6pm are advised to park in the main entrance via
Health Promotion
Dalley Street car park close to the hospital, as Your safety and well-being are important to us.
this provides improved security. It is our aim to assist you to better health and a
St Vincents Private Hospital cannot be held speedy discharge. The following information
responsible for the loss of your car or any could be of benefit to you in the prevention of
personal items. Please ensure your vehicle is complications which may occur as a result of
locked and there are no valuables left inside the hospitalisation.
vehicle.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention
Smoking / Alcohol On admission to hospital, you will be assessed
St Vincents has a ‘No Smoking’ policy as for your risk of developing a blood clot in your
smoking is a health hazard and a serious fire risk legs or lungs. If you are at risk, your health care
within the hospital setting. Patients and visitors team will discuss prevention/treatment options
are requested not to smoke in the buildings or with you.
immediate area.
Falls Prevention Program
Alcohol may be served on request with your There are a number of reasons why some
evening meal at your doctor’s discretion. patients fall whilst in hospital. It is an unfamiliar
environment, medication or fatigue may affect
your balance, or you may not be as fit or as
steady on your feet as you are normally.
Your risk of having a fall whilst in hospital is
assessed on admission and strategies are put in
place to assist you in preventing a fall. It is
important to tell the nurse if you have had
previous falls at home and please seek assistance
when you are moving about whilst in hospital.
15PATIENT INFORMATION
Medication need assistance with moving about. Your
physiotherapist or occupational therapist can
Pain-relieving drugs or other medication can
also give you advice with balance, mobility or
make you feel dizzy, as can any changes to your
exercise. Refer to information regarding the Red
medication. Always take special care when
Dot Program.
walking or getting to your feet.
Visiting the Bathroom
Unfamiliar surroundings
You may need to use the toilet unexpectedly or
Make sure you know the layout of your room
more often than usual while in hospital. If you
and where the furniture is. Take particular care
need help, or think you may need to visit the
if moving around at night and ensure you have
toilet more frequently, please ask the nurses for
the lights on.
assistance.
Flooring
Red Dot Program
Lino or other hard surfaces can be slippery,
particularly if wet. Check the floors in your area As part of your Falls Prevention Assessment,
and avoid using talcum powder, or wearing nursing staff will have indicated what level of
socks whenever possible. assistance you will require for mobilisation
during your admission. This may change during
Footwear your stay. You will notice the Red Dot Mobility
Please check with your nurse to see whether System above your bed. Ask nursing staff to
your slippers or other footwear is safe to wear in explain this system to you.
hospital. Your footwear should fit securely. If
Skin Care Program
your doctor has asked you to wear pressure
stockings, it is a good idea to also wear non slip A pressure related injury (also known as a
footwear over the top so you don’t slip. pressure ulcer, pressure sore or bed sore) occurs
where an area of skin has been damaged due to
Clothing unrelieved pressure. It appears discoloured,
Loose or full-length clothing like pajamas or reddened or damaged and remains this way
dressing gowns can cause you to trip and fall. despite removing the pressure. Pressure injuries
Make sure these are the right length for you. may look minor, such as redness on the skin, but
We encourage you to wear clothing that is they can hide more damage which has occurred
comfortable. beneath the skin surface. Pressure injuries
usually occur over bony areas, especially heels
Vision
and buttocks.
If you normally wear glasses, it is important that
Your risk of developing a pressure injury is
you use them when you are moving about whilst
assessed on admission. Strategies are then put
in hospital. Make sure you have your glasses
in place to ensure your risk of developing a
close by at all times and ask staff for assistance
pressure injury or any other skin impairment is
when needed.
minimised.
Your Condition
Whether you are lying in bed or sitting in a chair,
Ask your doctor or nurse to fully explain your the best thing you can do to prevent a pressure
condition so that you understand why you may injury is to relieve the pressure by keeping active
16PATIENT INFORMATION
and changing your position frequently. If you (These 10 tips have been adapted from the US
are unable to move yourself, the staff will help Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
to change your position regularly. Special patient fact sheets. Further information is
equipment such as air mattresses, cushions and available on the internet at
booties may be used to reduce the pressure in www.health.nsw.gov.au/quality/10tips/)
particular areas.
1. Be actively involved in your own health care
Keep your skin and bedding dry. Let staff know
2. Speak up if you have any questions or
if your clothes or bedding are damp. Tell staff if
concerns
you have any tenderness, soreness, numbness or
loss of sensation over a bony area, or if you 3. Learn more about your condition or
notice any reddened, blistered or broken skin. treatments by asking your doctor or nurse
Avoid massaging your skin over bony parts of and by using other reliable sources of
the body. Use a mild soap and moisturise dry information
skin. 4. Keep a list of all the medicines you are taking
Hand Hygiene 5. Make sure you understand the medicines you
Hand hygiene is a general term referring to the are taking
use of soap and water or a waterless hand rub 6. Make sure you get the results of any test or
to cleanse your hands. Hand hygiene is the procedure
single most important factor in reducing hospital
7. Talk to your doctor or other health care
acquired infections. Our hands may look clean
professional about your options if you need
but many germs are invisible to our eyes. We
to go into hospital
can unknowingly transmit germs on our hands
to others and our environment. It is very 8. Make sure you understand what will happen
important that you protect yourself by washing if you need surgery or a procedure
your hands often and well after using the 9. Make sure you, your doctor and your
bathroom, touching something that is soiled and surgeon all agree on exactly what will be
before eating. Wash with soap and water for at done during the operation
least 15 seconds or use the waterless hand
sanitizer located on the wall inside your room. 10.Before you leave hospital, ask your doctor or
Please do not hesitate to remind doctors, nurses other health care professionals to explain the
and other staff to wash their hands prior to treatment plan you will use at home.
attending to you. An information leaflet, 10 tips for safer health
care, is available at Admissions and in ward
10 Tips for Safer Health Care
areas. We recommend you read this leaflet.
Good health care is best achieved through an If you would like a copy of the 10 tips for safer
active and positive partnership between you and health care, please ask a member of staff.
your health care team. The following 10 tips
can assist you to become more active in your
health care.
18H O S P I TA L PAT I E N T S G U I D E PUBLISHED BY: TESTRO FACTORING PTY. LTD. (Incorporated in Victoria) A.B.N 40 004 494 688 PO BOX 495, Altona, Victoria 3018 Telephone: (03) 9315 6811 • Fax: (03) 9315 6844 Email: testrohpg@ozemail.com.au © COPYRIGHT 2012. This document is the subject of copyright vested in Testro Factoring Pty. Ltd. St Vincents Private Hospital, Lismore, NSW 2012/5354
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