When You Leave
Going Home
You will require someone to drive or accompany you home from hospital and stay with you for 24 hours following the procedure. Traveling alone in a taxi or on public transport is not appropriate.
For the first 24 hours after your procedure it is important that you:
- Do not drive a car
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not remain on your own (unless approved by your specialist)
- Do not make complex or legal decisions
On the morning of your discharge, you will receive a discharge summary as well as any post-operative information from your doctor. Discharge time is 10.00 am. Please notify staff if you anticipate any problems arranging this. Lounge facilities are available for your comfort until your departure.
Discharge Planning
Planning your discharge is about considering if you have adequate support when you return home. Consider the following:
- Transport - Consider how you will travel home.
- Support network - If you live alone or have limited support, could a family member or friend come and stay with you?
- Carers - Will a partner or family member who cares for you need additional assistance? Will you need assistance if you are the carer of someone else?
- Mobility & hygiene - Will the environment in and around your home (such as stairs) make it difficult for you to manage?
- Home nursing - If it becomes apparent that you will need community nursing care after your admission, we can help to arrange this.
Prosthesis
Where a prosthesis (an implanted medical device) is required there will be at least one device that is fully covered by your health fund. However, based on your specific need, your doctor may recommend a device that required a gap payment by you and will explain why the gap device may provide a better health outcome. In this case we recommend you contact your doctor before admission to the hospital. As with any surgical procedure, if unforeseen circumstances should arise during the procedure it may be necessary to arrange additional medical services, or use a different or more costly prosthetic device. If this happens there may be additional costs to you that are not covered by this estimate.
Discharge aids
If you are required to take crutches or any other aids when you leave Castlecrag Private Hospital, the cost for these items is payable at reception prior to your discharge.
Links