Bondi Junction Private Hospital

Preparing for your hospital visit

• Before Surgery
  • Please complete your pre-admission forms at least 5 days before surgery
  • You should take the time to contact your private health fund to check your level of cover
  • Please make a note of your admission time and fasting instructions – we will provide you with these during your pre-admission phone call one working day before surgery
  • Don’t forget to advise us of any special dietary needs
  • If you are having day surgery, you will need to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours. We cannot discharge you following an anaesthetic unless you have a designated carer, so please let us know as soon as possible if you have any difficulty finding someone.
  • Please contact your doctor prior to surgery if your health has deteriorated, as we may need to postpone the procedure until you’re feeling better

  For 24 hours after an anaesthetic, you will not be able to:

  • Drive a vehicle
  • Drink alcohol
  • Operate machinery
  • Make important decisions
  • Sign legal documents

  Online Patient Admission
• What to bring
  • Your Medicare card, and where relevant your Health Insurance membership card, Veterans’ Affairs card and/or Pensioner Concession card
  • All medications you are currently taking including supplements, in their original packaging
  • Any recent and relevant X-rays, scans, test results and medical paperwork (such as forms and doctor admission letter)
  • Any personal aids you need (glasses, walking aids)
  • Any Advanced care plan and/or treatment-limiting orders
  • If you are staying overnight, please bring night attire, toiletries and slippers
  • Your credit card (Amex, Visa & Mastercard), debit card or bank cheque to settle your account. Please note we do not accept personal cheques or cash.
  • Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship and Advanced Care Directive documentation (if applicable)

  You will also need to wear loose comfortable clothing

• What not to bring
  • Please leave all valuables at home (including jewellery and large sums of cash)
  • Do not wear make-up, nail polish, high heels or jewellery and please remove all facial and mouth piercings
• Childrens surgery

  It’s natural to feel anxious if your child is undergoing surgery, and we will do everything we can to make your family comfortable and relaxed. It’s a good idea to bring:

  • Their pyjamas
  • A favourite toy, story book or activity
  • A change of clothes and underwear

  We will invite one parent or carer into the recovery room to be with your child after surgery. Only you know who the right person is, so please consider this carefully.

• Fasting

  Before you undergo an anaesthetic, you will need to avoid eating or drinking anything for a specific period of time beforehand as this will protect your airway and lungs while you are asleep. During your pre-admission phone call, we will let you know when this fasting period should begin. For your own safety, you must strictly follow the fasting instructions.

  You can have a very small amount of water in the morning with medication, but do not chew gum, eat lollies or have any milk-based drinks.

  We will give you a snack and fluids when you are in the recovery room after your surgery.

• Medications

  Please check with your doctor, anaesthetist or GP whether you should take your prescribed medications on the morning of your procedure. You can take them with a sip of water if fasting. If you take medication for diabetes or anticoagulant therapy, your anaesthetist will contact you prior to your procedure to discuss your medication management.

• Smoking

  Please be advised that Bondi Junction Private Hospital is a smoke free environment. We recommend that you do not smoke on the day of your procedure.

• Getting here and parking

  There is time-limited paid parking available on the street. All day parking is available at the Waverly Library Car Park.

• Admission

  When you arrive, please report to the reception desk where our staff will guide you through the admission process. We will confirm your name, date of birth, admitting details and doctor. These standard identification procedures will be repeated throughout the day to ensure your safety.

  As a specialist boutique hospital, we make every effort to ensure you will not be kept waiting before your procedure, but there are times when other patients require longer periods in theatre than we anticipate.

  We’ll let you and your carer know if there are any delays and how your expected discharge time might be affected. It’s a good idea to bring a book or something to keep you occupied just in case.

• Billing & health insurance

  Bondi Junction Private Hospital has contracts with most health funds. If you have private health insurance, we will check your level of cover and email you an estimate of additional expenses you will need to pay.

  Once you have booked your procedure you will be provided with an informed financial consent form. This document is provided to you as an estimation of fees according to your hospital booking including any ‘out of pocket’ charges and your health fund excess.

  If you are having elective cosmetic surgery, your surgeon will advise you on all fees.

  It’s a good idea to contact your private health fund to check any exclusions or restrictions on specific treatments. They can answer any questions, and may be able to upgrade your policy if needed.

  Before you are admitted, any outstanding amount not covered by your health fund (co-payment or excess) will need to be paid. We can take pre-payment by credit card over the phone during your pre-operative call if you prefer. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, EFTPOS, and bank cheques. Please note we do not accept cash.

  If you do not have private health insurance, you will be required to pay the full amount for your day surgery admission.

  Please note you will also receive a separate account from the surgeon and anaesthetist involved in your treatment which covers the cost of their services.

  Third party claims

  If you are a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) patient, we will lodge a claim with the DVA for you. If your surgery is part of a WorkCover or Third Party (TAC) claim, you will need to make the full payment (apart from ancillary charges) on admission – unless we have received written approval for admission from WorkCover or TAC.

  Questions to ask your private health insurer

  Before you have surgery, we recommend you contact your private health insurer and check whether you are covered for surgery. We have provided a guide to the questions you should ask.

  Am I covered?
• After your surgery

  Following your procedure, you will be brought into the recovery unit where we will give you some fluids and a light snack.

  Day surgery

  If you are discharged on the same day as your surgery, you must have a responsible adult to collect you from Bondi Junction Private Hospital, and stay with you for 24 hours. We will let your carer know your approximate discharge time when you are admitted, and then call them 30 minutes before you are ready to be picked up.

  We will also give them your post-operative care instructions. It is important you follow these to ensure the best outcome from your procedure. Your anaesthetist will give you a prescription for any pain relief and/or antibiotics required after surgery. These may be required soon after being discharged, so it’s a good idea to pick up this medication from a nearby pharmacy on the way home.

  One of our nurses will call you a few days after your surgery to check how you are recovering. You will also have a post-operative appointment with your surgeon.

  Short-stay surgery

  If you are staying with us overnight, we will make you comfortable in one of our private patient rooms once you have recovered from the anaesthetic.

  You can have visitors between 8am and 8pm, but we do suggest you keep visits to a minimum so you can rest. If you have special needs and require a carer to stay with you, or would like your infant to stay with you, please discuss this with us before admission.

  Discharge time is 9am. You are welcome to wait in our patient lounge after this time if you are waiting to be picked up.

  Preventing falls

  After your procedure and anaesthetic you may be at risk of falling or tripping. Take care when moving around and we encourage you to rest and let your carer assist you for the remainder of the day.

  Nausea

  This is less common with modern anaesthetics. If it does occur, it should only be temporary. If nausea persists, avoid food but maintain fluids. If it does not resolve within 24 hours, it is important that you contact your doctor.

  Sore throat

  This may occur due to your anaesthetist assisting with your breathing. It usually disappears within 24 hours. Simple pain relief may help relieve this.

  Tender arm or hand at injection site

  This may occur due to irritation of the vein or slight bruising from the needle or the drugs injected, and can persist for several days. If your arm or hand look red or inflamed consult your doctor and notify Bondi Junction Private Hospital.

  Infection

  Please notify the Director of Nursing at Bondi Junction Private Hospital should any redness, swelling, pain or discharge be noticed from your wound – or if you visit a doctor and are prescribed antibiotics for an associated infection within 30 days of your procedure.

  Hand hygiene

  We advise patients and carers to wash hands prior to attending wound care or administering eye drops (as per doctor’s instructions).

• Privacy

  As a patient of Bondi Junction Private Hospital your privacy and dignity will be maintained at all times. We hold medical records relating to your treatment, and the content of these records will only be divulged with your consent or where permitted or authorised by law.

  We will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (including the Australian Privacy Principles under that Act) and other applicable laws. For more information, read our Patient Information & Pre-Admission Booklet, and download tthe Australian Privacy Principles fact sheet.

  Privacy Policy Australian Privacy Principles Fact Sheet
• Quality & Safety

  Bondi Junction Private Hospital adheres to all statutory and relevant body guidelines and Australian Standards. Our management systems aim to provide the highest level of care to our patients in a safe and supportive environment.

  We work as a team under the management of the Board of Directors, Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and Director of Nursing, with the following programs in place:

  Quality management – We continually monitor, assess and improve the quality of patient care. The MAC conducts peer-reviewed activities and we publish information about clinical performance, health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

  Risk management – We proactively work to mitigate risks to provide the safest possible environment for patients, visitors and staff.

  Workforce checks – Our dedicated specialist clinical staff have their credentials checked annually, and are assessed to ensure they can perform their roles so that you receive the highest standard of care and comfort.

  Clinical handover – If your care is transferred from one person to another, our systems ensure there is effective continuity. This includes your involvement in your discharge instructions as a patient or carer.

  Hand Hygiene – Bondi Junction Private Hospital is committed to the Hand Hygiene Australia program and conducts regular audits to ensure compliance. You can find more information on this program here.

  Infection control – We aim to prevent and limit the spread of infection through evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

  Consumer involvement – Patients are at the centre of our care model, and we welcome your participation in reviewing our Quality & Safety reports, and feedback on how we can continue to improve.

  Open Disclosure – The Bondi Junction Private Hospital Governing Body (Board of Directors), Staff and Accredited Medical Practitioners (AMPs) support the practice and principles of Open Disclosure.

  Bondi Junction Private Hospital has a clear and consistent approach to open communication and disclosure with consumers and their carers,  with a view to fairness, transparency and  accountability.

  Please click on the button below for more information on Open Disclosure.

   

  Nexus Quality and Safety Policy Open Disclosure fact sheet
• Complaints, concerns and feedback

  Please complete the Patient Satisfaction Survey, which your nurse will give you after your procedure. We appreciate your honest feedback, as we are always looking for ways to improve our patients’ experience.

  If there is any aspect of your care that you are not happy with, please contact the Director of Nursing (Complaints Officer) at don@bjph.com.au. We will promptly acknowledge and investigate any complaint, and communicate the outcome and any recommendations with you.

  If your complaint is unresolved, you can contact:

  Health Care Complaints Commission

  Locked Mail Bag 18,
  Strawberry Hills,
  NSW 2012

  Phone: 02 9219 7444

  Feedback form