We would like to welcome you to the Cohuna District Hospital. No doubt you are experiencing anxiety at having to come into hospital. This is normal when one is ill and we would like to offer you our comfort and concern and hope you return to a state of good health as soon as possible.
Visiting
Hours
Midwifery:
7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Daily
2.00 p.m. - 3-30 p.m. Daily
7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Daily
(Husbands may remain until 9 p.m)
Children’s
Ward: Open visiting
hours
High Dependancy: At the discretion of nursing
and medical staff
Very Ill Patients: Dependent upon the patient’s
condition.
(In an effort to minimise disturbance to other patients we ask that visiting children are supervised at all times please.)
General
Information
Televisions are available in all wards free of charge.
Newspapers
Newspapers need to be organised though the local newsagency.
Privately insured patients will receive a complimentary copy of the Herald Sun newspaper Monday to Friday only.
Mail Deliveries
Letters and Parcels may be directed to you whilst in Hospital and will be delivered to you in the ward each day. The postal address of the hospital is P.O Box 317 Cohuna 3568. Items you want posted should be left at the front office by 2:30pm.
Meals
Your diet is an important part of your care in hospital. There is always a choice of menu and plenty of variety in the food to ensure that meals are appetizing and nutritional. (Special Diets are sometimes ordered as part of your treatment. Please discuss your diet with nursing staff or the First Cook on duty.)
Meal times are: Breakfast: 7.30am Morning Tea: 9.50am Lunch: 11.50am Afternoon Tea: 1.50pm Tea: 5.00pm
Furniture and equipment are provided for patient comfort. Please exercise care in using these items as they are expensive to replace and others will need to use them.
Clergy
A personal visit by a representative of your religion may be obtained on request to the ward sister.
Transport
Please arrange your own transport home when discharged from hospital. An adult relative must accompany children on discharge from hospital.
Instruments and equipment are cleaned and sterilised according to /Australian Standards. Please refer to the laminated Infection Control Brochure located with this Booklet for more information.
What
To Take To Hospital
Pensioner Health Entitlement card
Veterans affairs Entitlement card
Toilet requisites - eg. Soap, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, shaving gear, mirror, talcum powder, nail file and scissors, tissues, make-up if used, and intimate toiletries.
Spectacles if you wear them, watch or clock if desired.
Pastimes – eg. Writing materials, magazines, books, knitting, small radio with earpiece attachment, favourite toy (for a child).
When You First Arrive
On arrival at the ward, the nursing staff will meet you and explain details of the ward layout and routines. You will be shown to your bed and maybe asked to change into bed attire.
The nursing staff will then record your temperature, weight and blood pressure, and ask for a specimen of urine for testing. A simple blood test may be done to estimate your haemoglobin and blood sugar levels. The doctor will record the details of your medical history and conduct a physical examination. Inform the doctor and nursing staff of any allergies you may have to antibiotics, medications or any types of food, and any prescribed or natural medication you may be taking now or have taken in recent weeks. There may also be diagnostic procedures, such as x-rays and pathology tests, and you may have to be taken out of the ward for these.
In your bedside locker
you will find:
A copy of your rights and responsibilities
A copy of the procedure for making complaints.
Operation Information
The preparation for
surgery varies according to the nature of the operation to be performed,
but generally the following routine applies:
You are encouraged to ask questions about the operation, the likely outcome after effects and how long it will take you to recover.
You will be requested to attend a pre operative clinic where your medical condition will be assessed by the theatre nurse and anaesthetist. Further tests may be ordered. All aspects of the operation and anaesthetic will be discussed with you.
You are not allowed food or drink for a number of hours before surgery.
For some operations you may undergo special procedures-for example, shaving, hair washing. You will be asked to remove rings and jewellery. Wedding rings may be taped. Preparation of a more general nature may include the removal of any artificial limbs, contact lenses etc. You will be required to wear an operation gown.
You may be given some pre-operative medication before being taken to the operating suite, and this will probably make you drowsy.
In the operating suite, an anaesthetic will be administered. You will be monitored by specialised equipment during the proceedure.
You are encouraged to bring music cassettes or CD's of your choice to be played through the procedure.
Back in the ward your progress will be monitored by the ward staff, which will assist to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.
If your have any problems, do not hesitate inform the nursing staff.
Operative procedures often involve the use of intravenous fluids, and other attachments. These will remain in place till no longer needed.
Discharge Procedures
The hospital can provide
and/or organise a range of aids and services for those who need extra
support at home. These will be discussed with you and you relatives, and
planned for prior to, or soon after your admission.
Please make sure you discuss your discharge and future medical management
with
your doctor.
Please ask your doctor for medical certificates, relevant prescriptions and discuss follow – up treatment and appointments before you are discharged home.
You will be given written advice on current treatment and follow-up arrangements at the time of discharge.
