Pre-Admission

WELCOME TO ST LUKE’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Please find below some useful information about your admission and stay at the hospital.

PREPARING FOR YOUR STAY

  • Ensure you have completed the tasks listed on our online admissions portal in plenty of time for your admission. This allows us to make your stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
  • ORGANISING YOUR ADMISSION TIME
  • The hospital will send you an SMS the day before your procedure with details of your admission and fasting times. If you have questions, call (02) 9356 0200.
  • All day surgery patients must arrange for a responsible adult to take them home and stay with them for 24 hours after surgery. Public transport is not recommended. Procedures may be postponed if arrangements are not made.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Health fund or entitlement cards (e.g. Medicare, Safety Net, Veterans’ Affairs)
  • Any paperwork not already forwarded
  • Relevant x-rays, scans, or films
  • Pathology/blood test results
  • Current medications in original containers and prescriptions
  • Payment for estimated gap or total cost if uninsured
  • Reading material/activity books
  • Any aids (walking stick, hearing aids, etc.)
  • For children: favourite toy, formula, bottle, special dietary needs

Additional recommendations by patient type:

  • Day Surgery: Comfortable clothes for after procedure
  • Overnight: Comfortable day clothes, sleepwear, dressing gown, slippers, toiletries, credit/debit card for cafe, CPAP machine (if applicable)
  • Paediatric: If your child wears nappies, please bring a few spares with you. You are welcome to bring a favourite toy or comfort blanket
  • Rehabilitation: You are encouraged to dress in comfortable day clothes during the day. Please bring at least one week’s supply of washable, loose-fitting clothes and nightwear, enclosed slippers/shoes (with a non slip sole), personal aids (dentures, hearing aid, glasses, walker/frame stick), razor, cosmetics and toiletries (including toothbrush and toothpaste) and CPAP machine if applicable)

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONAL ITEMS

  • St Luke’s Care does not accept any responsibility for lost or damaged items or valuables. As such, we strongly advise you to not bring anything of value with you to hospital. It is recommended that you do not bring large amounts of money, jewellery or other valuable items. Please do not leave valuables in your room unsecured. Contact security if you wish to lock items away. Day surgery patients are provided with a locker in which to store their belongings.

MEDICATIONS

To ensure safe use of your medicines while in hospital, it is important to have an accurate record of all medications that you are already taking or have recently ceased. Please bring to the hospital:

  • A printed list of all medications prescribed to you (including eye drops, patches, natural medicines, topical products)
  • All current medications in original packaging
  • Do not bring pre-packaged/pre-sorted medication (e.g. Webster-packs or dosette devices) as we can not administer medication from these.
  • Please advise of any previous allergies or medication reactions

Medication Instructions

  • It is important to discuss regular medications with your specialists prior to surgery as some medications may be contra indicated with your surgery
  • If approved, take regular morning medication at 6am with a sip of water; for afternoon procedures, take lunchtime medication at 11am with a sip of water

Exceptions:

  • Aspirin/anticoagulants/anti-inflammatories: These are often stopped 10 days before surgery.However, if you are taking any anti inflammatories, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix or Isocover), warfarin, or any anticoagulants for a heart condition or stroke prevention, you should seek specific instruction as to when to cease these medications from your surgeon or cardiologist. Patients with coronary artery disease or stents, any vascular stent or cardiac implant should discuss with their cardiologist or surgeon before ceasing the drugs listed above.
  • Herbal medications: Please seek specific instructions from your doctor as to when or if these medications should be ceased.

THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Your surgeon will let you know if you need to prepare in any specific way for your procedure.
  • Contact our pre-admission nurses if unsure: (02) 9356 0200 or ssu@slc.org.au

FASTING

  • Fasting times vary depending on the type of anaesthetic you require for surgery. You will be advised when to commence fasting by your anaesthetist or hospital staff prior to admission, or by your admission text message
  • Generally, you should not eat for at least 6 hours prior to your procedure, and not drink clear fluids for at least 2 hours prior, unless you have been told otherwise.
  • If fasting instructions are not followed, your procedure may need to be delayed or postponed to a later date.

PREPARING FOR PROCEDURE

  • Please shower with soap and water (or as instructed by your surgeon), you’re your hair on the day of surgery and wear clean, comfortable clothes
  • Please remove all jewellery. Wee advise leaving jewellery at home
  • Do not shave body hair from surgical area
  • Do not apply powder, creams, lotions, or makeup
  • Do not smoke (including vaping) or chew gum

ARRIVAL

  • All patients are admitted via main reception at 18 Roslyn Street, Potts Point. There is limited on-site paid parking (first 30 minutes free).
  • The hospital will endeavour to minimise your waiting time where possible. However, waiting times may vary due to unforeseen events with other patients undergoing procedures, or if further pre-operative tests or reviews are requested by your doctors.

YOUR STAY

DAY SURGERY PATIENTS

  • As a short stay patient a secure locker will be provided for your belongings.
  • If you have a general anaesthetic you will be required to stay in the Short Stay Unit for at least 1.5 hours after your operation/procedure.
  • During this time refreshments will be provided. Please inform your admitting nurse if you have any special dietary requirements
  • As driving is not permitted for 24 hours after an anaesthetic, please ensure you have arranged for a friend or relative to escort you home and stay with you.

LEAVING THE HOSPITAL

Following discharge, you will require someone to drive or accompany you home. If you are a day-only patient, your escort can be admitted to the Short Stay Unit by pressing the buzzer in the Short Stay Lounge near reception.

For overnight patients, discharge is prior to 10am. We ask that you vacate your room by this time to allow us to prepare for the next patient.

For the first 24 hours after your anaesthetic it is important that you:

• Do not drive a car.

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Have a friend, family member or carer staying with you.

• Do not make complex or legal decisions.

We advise that you should be in the company of a responsible adult for 24 hours after an anaesthetic.

After your operation you may be asked to follow detailed instructions upon your discharge.

Please ensure that you are clear about any instructions (e.g. wound care or medication) prior to leaving hospital.

If at any point you are unclear about what to do following discharge, please telephone your treating doctor, or the hospital on (02) 9356 0200.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

YOUR HOSPITAL ACCOUNT

We strongly recommend you check the level of cover you hold with your health fund and your eligibility for benefits.

Should you require an estimate of the likely costs for your hospital stay please contact your doctor’s office and ask for an estimate for length of stay and item numbers for planned procedure(s). Please note that this will be an estimate only.

PAYMENTS

Payment for your estimated hospital fees, gaps or excess is required on admission. Full fee paying patients will berequired to pay 100% of the estimated fee on admission. We accept payment by credit card, bank and EFT. These payments can be facilitated via our online admissions portal. EFT payments must be completed a minimum of five (5) business days prior to admission.

Circumstances may also occur during your hospitalisation that will result in additional fee charges. A credit card pre-authorisation against additional expenses is also required on admission. Additional expenses incurred during admission must be settled at discharge. Upon being admitted to St Luke’s Private Hospital, you agree to pay all fees relating to your hospital visit, including where your health fund or insurance claim is declined for any reason.

ACCOUNTS FOR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND PHARMACY

You may receive separate accounts from: HPS Pharmacy and SLC Allied Health services, amongst other providers.

Discharge medications will be invoiced separately by HPS Pharmacy, who provide pharmacy services at St Luke’s. If you are a concession card holder, please bring a copy of your concession card to avoid being incorrectly invoiced. Please inform your nurse if you do not require discharge medications.. Radiology services (x-rays, scans) and pathology services such as blood tests will also be invoiced separately, as will allied health equipment such as walking frames and crutches. These will be invoiced by SLC Allied Health Services and may not be covered by your health fund.

These accounts are separate from hospital accounts paid at admission.

YOUR DOCTORS’ ACCOUNTS

Accounts from treating doctors are separate and are not usually fully covered by your health fund or Medicare. Please contact your treating doctors directly for estimates and/or to settle these accounts. This also applies to anaesthetists.

INSURANCE

PRIVATELY INSURED PATIENTS

Please check with your private health insurer to ensure that your insurance is up to date.

The hospital will check on your behalf whether you have an excess or co-payment to pay or if your level of cover or waiting period excludes you from receiving benefits for some conditions. However, it is important that you also check with your private health insurer as co-payments and costs for excluded procedures are your responsibility.

UNINSURED PATIENTS

If you do not have health insurance, you will be required to pay the full estimate of your account on or before the day of your admission. Fees for additional or unplanned services are payable on or after the day of your discharge.

VETERANS

All veterans will receive a hospital estimate highlighting the potential out-of-pocket expenses associated with private room accommodation.

The hospital will ensure that prior approval is received for all White Card holders. Gold Card DVA patients do not require approval prior to admission.

If you require transport to or from hospital, you will need to contact DVA Transport to make arrangements.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND THIRD PARTY PATIENTS

All workers’ compensation, public liability and third party patients require approval from their insurer prior to admission.

If approval is not received, the patient is required to pay the estimated amount on or before the day of admission.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), Workers’ Compensation, CTP, Defence patients and those with health insurance cover for shared rooms will have to pay a gap payment for each day you occupy a private room should you request such accommodation.

The telephone number for all accounts queries is (02) 9356 0200.

PRIVACY INFORMATION

  • Personal information used primarily for your care, may be released under legislation to authorities and health funds
  • Contact details may be shared with St Luke’s Hospital Foundation (opt out available)
  • Privacy Policy available at reception or on website
  • Information may be disclosed to third-party health service providers as required
  • By ticking the Privacy Information box on your Pre-Admission Form, you consent to collection and use of personal information as per policy

Call (02) 9356 0200 with any questions and our friendly team would be happy to assist you.