Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital offers you the convenience of day surgery in our Perioperative Unit if you and your doctor decide that you do not need to stay in hospital overnight.
Because you will return home after your surgery, you will be responsible for your own care and wellbeing. We want to make sure you are well informed about your condition and that you follow instructions carefully.
On the day of your surgery
On the day of your Admission/ Pre-Admission Clinic appointment, please go directly to the Admission/ Day Surgery Unit:
Admissions, Level 2, STAR Building
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital
Corner Burdett Street and Derby Road
A convenient driveway drop off area is accessible via Gate 9, Burdett Street
Before surgery - you will need to:
The Day Surgery Unit will contact you the day prior to admission. For Monday admissions you will be contacted the Friday before. You will be contacted between 10am-4pm. You will be contacted by a nurse with your fasting instructions and arrival time. No eating or drinking also includes water, lollies and chewing gum. This is important regardless of whether you are having local or general anaesthetic.
If you have not received a call by 4pm, please call (02) 9485 6440. Please only call AFTER 4pm and up to 7pm.
Certain procedures require special preparations (e.g. colonoscopy), please ensure that you follow instructions correctly.
Children find it especially difficult to fast so parents should watch them carefully to make sure they do not eat or drink. Some parents plan entertaining distractions.
Please do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before your admission.
To find out more about preparing for surgery at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, watch Behind The Red Line: My Surgery Journey video here.
Taking medication
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue to take your medications with a sip of water only.
Patients who take drugs for arthritis, drugs that thin your blood, aspirin or diabetic medication must inform their doctor. These medications often require modification prior to surgery.
Getting to and from the hospital
Before you come to hospital make sure you have arranged for a friend or relative to take you home after your operation. They, or another adult, must stay with you overnight.
If necessary, you can take a taxi home, but you must be accompanied by another adult.
At the time of your admission, staff will check who is collecting you when you are discharged. They will ask for this person's contact number so they can phone them to inform them of the time that you will be ready for discharge. They will also inform this person where to bring their car, and upon their arrival, how to let staff know they are here to collect you. There is a special phone this person must use, located in the admission area. Staff will then escort you to your carer.
What to wear
Shower thoroughly before coming to the hospital. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Do not wear nail polish, make-up, any jewellery or high-heeled shoes. If you are having cataract surgery, please wear a shirt that has buttons down the front.
Piercings
Please remove all piercings in the area of your body that is being operated on. In addition all tongue and nasal jewellery requires removal.
What to bring
On the day of your surgery bring:
- All relevant test results, x-rays, ultrasounds and scans
- Your Medicare card or health fund card
- Any medication you take
- Mobility aids (eg walking stick or frame) and special aids (eg hearing aids, CPAP machine)
What not to bring
We advise patients not to bring valuables, jewellery, money or mobile phones. Patients are able to safely store small items only. If family or friends need to contact you they can call the Perioperative Unit on 02 9485 6440.
If you feel unwell before your surgery date
If you feel ill or have a cold, tell your doctor or telephone the Perioperative Unit on (02) 9485 6346.
Joint replacement surgery - if you obtain any scratches, cuts, blisters or open wounds, after you have attended the Pre-Admission Clinic, you MUST phone the Nurse Screener AS SOON AS POSSIBLE on (02) 9485 6346.
Smoking
You just don't smoke around hospitals.
Read here for more details.
Quitlines:
- English: 13 7848
- Arabic: 1300 7848 03
- Chinese: 1300 7848 36
- Vietnamese: 1300 7848 65
- Korean: 1300 7848 23
Before your surgery
Please arrive on time so necessary preparations are not rushed. There is a comfortable waiting area.
When you arrive staff will:
- Assist you to complete any necessary paperwork
- Measure your blood pressure and weight and request a urine sample, where necessary
- Check all your details and apply an identification band.
An anaesthetist will usually visit you before your surgery and give you a medical examination. For your own safety, your operation may be cancelled if it is decided at this point that you are not well enough to undergo surgery.
Occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances, theatres may be delayed, or cancelled. This does not happen often, but from time to time you may have a slightly longer wait or possibly be re-booked at the soonest possible time.
After surgery
After your operation you will wake up in the recovery room. You will then be taken to the Perioperative Unit. It will usually take you a minimum of two hours to recover, depending on your operation. The anaesthetic will affect you for the next 24 hours.
You will be offered pain relief and medication for nausea if you need it.
Overnight stays will be discharged at 10am on the day of discharge.
Before you leave hospital (discharge) you will be given instructions from the perioperative staff about what to do after your operation. Your doctor will also give you instructions about what to do.
For the next 24 hours after your operation you must not:
- Drive a car
- Operate heavy machinery
- Drink alcohol
- Sign important documents.
