Before Hospital / Pre-Admission
What you need to know before your admission to hospital.
Patient Information Booklet
There will be a “Patient Information Booklet” from St Vincent’s Hospital. This includes an extensive medical history to be completed by you to return to the hospital ASAP in the envelope provided. You can get this booklet from the admin staff at Mr Han’s main rooms.
Consent forms
There will be Mr Han’s Consent form, Mr Han’s Informed Financial Consent form, as well as the hospital’s Consent form to be signed and forwarded back to us ASAP in the envelope provided. Alternatively, you may fax these forms to 03 9417 3139.
You may also scan and email the forms to us via email . These forms will be given to you when you organise a date for your procedure with Mr Han’s admin staff.
X-rays and Scans
It is important to bring all relevant x-rays and scans with you when you come into hospital and please remember to take them home on discharge.
Fasting
You will need to fast prior to the operation. Therefore, please have nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before surgery. If your surgery is in the afternoon, you may have a light breakfast before 7.30am, but you must not have anything to eat or drink after that.
Medications
If you are currently taking any blood thinning tablets such as Warfarin, Plavix, Astrix, Solprin, Cartia, Asasantin, Clopidogrel or fish oil tablets, please cease these at least 7 days prior to surgery. Mr Han will advise if different. Some of these medications cannot be stopped abruptly without the knowledge of your GP or cardiologist so make sure your doctors are aware.
Additional Fees that you may incur
While you are in hospital, you will be looked after by a team of doctors which will consist of neurosurgical registrars and residents. This service does not incur additional cost to you.
An anaesthetist and surgical assistant will be involved, who may charge an out of pocket fee.
Occasionally other specialists may be asked to see you to make sure that you are well looked after medically. Some specialists may charge an additional fee.
You may require pathology, radiology or pharmacological services while in hospital. These may incur additional fees but usually are covered by your health fund. Please ring your health fund or hospital if you would like to know more.
Prostheses may be used in your operation. Most Health Funds cover the full cost of the prostheses. However, some funds may not, and you may be liable for an out of pocket payment (Gap). Please telephone your Health Fund to see if the prosthesis is covered by the Health Fund.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 03 9417 3138.
What to expect when you go to hospital
Pre-admission
Before you arrive at the hospital, you may be referred to a pre-admission clinic where a nurse will organise any tests required, take your health history, give you information about what will happen during your stay and plan your discharge.
If attendance at a pre-admission clinic is not required, a nurse will contact you to ensure you have all the information you need about your hospital stay.
The business office may also contact you to ensure you are aware of any out-of-pocket expenses you might need to pay prior to your admission.
For more information about your stay before you arrive, please call our clinical pre-admission service on:
St Vincent’s Private Hospital (03) 9411 7111
Epworth Hospital (03) 9426 6666
St Vincent’s Hospital Werribee (03) 9218 8000
What you should bring to Hospital
When admitted to hospital, you should wear comfortable, loose clothing. If you are an overnight patient, you will need:
- Relevant X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans
- Current medications in the chemist's original, labelled containers, together with repeat Prescriptions
- Sleepwear and dressing gown
- Slippers and toiletries
- A comfortable change of clothes
Remember to clearly label all your belongings. Patients will also need the following medical necessities:
- Means of payment for out-of-pocket expenses
- Referral letter(s) from your doctor
- Health insurance details of hospital cover
- Pharmaceutical record form and / pharmaceutical (pension) entitlement card
- Full/part pension card
- Veteran Affairs card
- Medicare card
What not to bring to Hospital
There are some items that you should not bring:
- Large sums of money
- Jewellery
- Items of sentimental value that cannot be replaced
- Mobile telephones
- Large suitcases or luggage
When you arrive
Present to the desk on the ground floor. The staff here will attend to any outstanding paperwork/fee payment, etc, and then direct you to your ward.
You will then be visited by relevant medical staff, including the anaesthetist, to make sure you are looked after appropriately.
Hospital Visiting Hours
Visiting hours for the neurosurgical wards at St Vincent’s Hospital are between 2.00pm and 8.00pm each day (Epworth’s visiting hours are from 11.00am to 8.00pm with no visiting at rest period which is 1.30pm to 3.30pm). Your immediate family may visit you at any time, with hospital approval, and if visitors are not able to visit during these times, the nurse in charge can arrange alternate times.
Your Hospital Account
It is a good idea to check the likely costs of your hospital stay before your arrive. This can help you understand the account that you will receive from the hospital.
Most patients will be able to get a good understanding of the costs they will incur for a visit to the hospital before they are admitted. These fees are separate from the ones your surgeon and anaesthetist will charge. There may also be separate pathology, radiology, pharmacology fees associated with your stay. The Business Office can help you understand the cost of items such as accommodation/bed charges, theatre fees and prosthesis charges (if relevant).
Your hospital account may show charges for:
- Accommodation/bed charges, theatre fees and prosthesis charges
- Medical, diagnostic and ancillary service fees
- Motor accident or WorkCover patients
Accommodation/bed charges, theatre fees and prosthesis charges
Hospital accommodation charges, theatre fees and prosthesis charges differ according to a patient’s level of private health insurance. Please telephone the Business Office to discuss your anticipated costs prior to your admission. Uninsured patients should also call the Business Office to clarify costs. Patients are reminded that estimates given prior to admission may change depending on the level of care provided during your stay.
Medical, diagnostic and ancillary service fees
We suggest that prior to admission you discuss with your admitting doctor the range of charges for which you may be personally accountable. These could include pathology, radiology, anaesthetist fee, physician and theatre assistant fees. You will receive bills for these services separately.
