A pre health assessment is our process for finding out everything our hospitals need to know about your general health, this is why you completed your health questionnaire as part of the process of referral for an elective surgical procedure to our hospitals.
Your information will be reviewed by a registered nurse. This nurse may telephone you to ask additional questions, discuss specialist reports and check some of your answers you completed in the patient health questionnaire.
The nurse will determine whether you are required to attend in person and/or request a follow-up with your local doctor/general practitioner (GP). Other factors considered will be the type of surgery you are having and complex health issues and conditions.
Your appointment at the Preadmission clinic may be up to 4 to 6 weeks prior to the planned surgery date.
A telephone call made to you from a member of our administrative team from the Integrated Booking Office.
The role of the Preadmission clinic is to ensure:
- You are medically fit for your surgery on the day.
- All the required tests are completed and all clinical reviews are done.
- Give you your instructions on your current medications (which medications you are to stop and/or continue in the days leading up to your surgery date)
- Give you an opportunity to answer questions you may have and prepare for your hospital stay
- Ensure you are aware of the requirements for discharge from hospital to home or other setting as assessed and as required.
A Preadmission clinic appointment is very detailed; you will need to allow 3-4 hours for attendance. The appointment will take place at one of our hospitals in the outpatient care setting. It’s been shown that patients who attend Pre Admission Clinics are less likely to have medical issues arise during their stay. It gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your surgery, and anaesthesia.
Most importantly, attendance at Preadmission Clinic reduces your total hospital stay, as in most cases you will be admitted on the day of your surgery, rather than beforehand.
During your appointment you will see:
- A Nurse – to go over your answers in the health questionnaire, discharge planning and take your vital signs and send you for tests as required.
You may also be seen by
- Anaesthetist – to discuss the anaesthetic process on the day, what to expect, concerns or queries and preoperative medication instructions.
- Team doctor – to go over your medical and medication history.
- Allied health staff member, depending on the type of surgery and your medical condition.
In some cases you may need to be referred to another specialist for further testing, this is in your best interests, so that any medical problems you might have are optimised before your admission, minimising any issues that might arise from your surgery.
Your local doctor/GP will also be kept informed about your surgical admission, any abnormal test results and the follow-up process.
