Preparing for your hospital visit

• For Patients Attending our Skin Cancer Centre

  Skin Cancer Centre

  Consultations
  Skin Cancer Centre Consultations are performed by our surgeons at our purpose built consulting suites at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital. Our specialist surgeons will assess your skin lesion and organise appropriate surgical treatment.
  A consultation fee applies for all pre-op visits. A Medicare rebate applies to all pre-op consultations. All post-surgery visits are complimentary. Please bring any pathology reports from previous biopsies with you to your visit as well as a complete list of your medications.

  No Gap Skin Cancer Surgery Options
  Bundaberg Skin Cancer Centre offers No-Gap Surgery for patients with appropriate levels of cover, with participating health funds. At present, most major health funds trading in Queensland are included, but please check with our friendly staff who can confirm your status.

  No-gap Surgery applies to surgery performed at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital by Bundaberg’s Skin Cancer Centre surgical team. Some skin cancers may require the services of other surgeons either at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital or outside Bundaberg Private Day Hospital. Surgeries that are not performed by the Bundaberg Skin Cancer Centre surgical team are not included in our No-Gap Surgery plan.

  * Eyelid, eyelid surrounds, and oral/ lip skin cancers are not included under No-Gap Surgery.

  Same Day Surgery
  Bundaberg Private Skin Cancer Centre offers same day consultation and surgery options.
  This service is available exclusively for patients with a pre-existing pathology report (eg. from a biopsy). Same day consultation and surgery are most suitable for patients requiring local anaesthetic without sedation.

  Please ask our friendly staff to see if you qualify for same day consultation and surgery.

  • No Gap Skin Cancer Surgery Options*
  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Qualified Surgeons.
  • Safety Of Licensed Hospital Grade Operating Theatres and Sterilisation.
  • Comfort Of Full Anaesthetic Options Including Local, Sedation, and General Anaesthetic.
  • Same Day Surgery

  * Eyelid, eyelid surrounds, and oral/ lip skin cancers are not included under No- Gap Surgery.

• Before your surgery

  One of our nurses will call you 48 hours or the day before your operation to let you know:

  • Your arrival time
  • Your fasting times
  • Transport and parking arrangements
  • The length of time you can expect to be at the day hospital
  • Post-operative care instructions
  • What to wear
  • Any out-of-pocket expenses

  The nurse will also discuss with you:

  • Any previous illnesses and operations
  • Any allergies to food or medicines
  • Any special dietary requirements
  • Who is taking you home and staying with you the night of your surgery.

  This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions about your admission and the postoperative care you will need. This call will take around 10 minutes.

  Illness in the days before your surgery if you develop a cough, cold or any other illness, please contact your surgeon and the staff at the day hospital on (07) 4152 4886, as your surgery may need to be postponed until you are well.

  Online Patient Admission
• What to bring

  On the day of surgery, please bring the following:

  • Your fully completed hospital forms, consent form (if applicable) and any letters or reports from your doctor
  • Your health insurance membership details
  • Your Medicare card
  • A list of any current medications

  Where applicable, please also bring your:

  • Pension card
  • Healthcare card
  • Prescription record card
  • Pharmaceutical entitlement card
  • Safety net card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
  • Workers’ compensation approval letter
  • X-ray or ultrasound films that may be relevant
  • Medications in original containers

  It’s also a good idea to bring something to do while you wait – a book or magazine, headphones or an iPad. And make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes with non-slip soles and low heels.

• What not to bring

  The hospital accepts no responsibility for any personal items, so please do not bring valuables such as jewellery or a large amount of cash.

• Fasting

  If you’re undergoing an anaesthetic, you will need to avoid eating or drinking anything for a specified amount of time. This helps keep your airway and lungs safe while you’re asleep. Your doctor will let you know your fasting requirements.

  Even when fasting, you are allowed a very small amount of water until two hours before surgery. Do not chew gum, eat lollies or have any milk-based drinks during your fasting period.

  We will provide you with light refreshments and fluids in the recovery room after your surgery.

  Please contact your surgeon’s office if you need more information.

• Medications

  It is important to continue taking all your normal medications unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise. If you have diabetes or are taking blood thinning medication, you will need to discuss the management of your medications with your surgeon and anaesthetist.
  Please bring all medications in original containers with you on the day of your procedure.

• Smoking

  Smoking is banned at all Queensland public and private hospitals and health facilities, and for five metres beyond their boundaries.

  The legislation, which was introduced on January 1, 2015, is the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 to Part 8 of the Amendment of Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998.

  These no smoking laws apply at all times, to all staff and patient residential areas on healthcare facility land, and include the use of all smoking products, including regular cigarettes and devices commonly known as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The laws cover:

  • Land on which any Queensland Health Hospital and Health Service provide health services, including hospitals, community health centres, health clinics, rehabilitation centres and residential aged care facilities
  • Land on which a private health facility (private hospitals and day hospitals) provides services.

  Enforcement
  The laws are enforced by Queensland Health environmental health officers and public facility authorised officers.

  Patients, staff or visitors smoking in smoke-free areas may be given a warning to stop smoking or be asked to move beyond the five-metre smoke-free buffer if they wish to continue smoking.

  On-the-spot fines apply for breaches of the tobacco laws.

  Find out more
  Call 13 QGOV (13 7468)

• Getting here and parking

  Free parking is available in the carparks located at the front of the hospital.

  Please note: you will not be permitted to drive after your procedure, and will need a responsible adult to take you home from the hospital on the day of your procedure.

• Admission

  When you arrive, please head to reception, where our lovely staff will confirm your admission details and accept payment for any out-of-pocket expenses.

  Our nursing staff will then prepare you for your procedure. This will include confirming your personal details and checking your consent form. They will ask you to change into your theatre garments and a dressing gown. You’ll go into surgery based on the order of the theatre list (procedure schedule), not the order of hospital arrival.

  At this time, we will also take your personal items for safe storage. Please do not bring any valuables with you to hospital.

• Your anaesthetic

  You will have a consultation with the anaesthetist before your procedure. They will ask you about your general health, allergies, current medications and any previous surgery or illnesses. You will need to sign a consent form for your anaesthetist, who will monitor you during the procedure.

• Your operation

  The majority of day surgery is now performed under local anaesthetic or IV sedation. You may require a general anaesthetic if your surgery is longer. If you have IV sedation you may be aware of noises from the equipment or voices of the staff, and you will see the nurses setting up the sterile equipment for your procedure in the operating theatre.

• Billing and private health insurance

  Bundaberg Private Day Hospital is recognised by most health funds. If you have private health insurance, we will check your level of cover and inform you by telephone and text of any excess amount or additional charges you will need to pay.

  You will also receive separate accounts from your:

  • surgeon
  • anaesthetist
  • pharmacy
  • pathology services, if required.

  If you have agreed with your health fund to pay an excess or a co-payment, we will ask you to pay this prior to your admission.

  We accept cash, cheque, credit card and we have EFTPOS facilities.

  We know that Hospital and related charges can be confusing. If you have any questions about payment, please email us at admin@bundabergprivate.com.au or call us on (07) 4152 4886 between 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

  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. Read our handy guide to the questions you should ask below.

  Guide to the questions you should ask
• After your surgery

  After your procedure, our staff will move you to a recovery bed, chair or recliner and a recovery nurse will monitor you. You will also receive some light refreshments.

  When you are ready to go home, we will go through your discharge instructions before you leave.

  Please remember that you will need a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours post procedure.

  Make sure you allow yourself time to recover and rest during the first 24 hours. During this time you will also be unable to:

  • Drive a car (until authorised by your surgeon)
  • Sign important documents
  • Drink alcohol or smoke
  • Operate machinery
  • Perform strenuous activity
  • Look after small children.

  Your surgeon will organise your post-operative care.

  Things to consider after your surgery

  Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur after surgery. It happens when a blood clot forms in the veins of the leg. The risk of developing DVT after surgery increases due to inactivity during and after your procedure. When lying down, you don’t generate enough muscle movement to continuously pump blood to your heart.

  Find more information on DVT and how to prevent it after surgery here .

  Infection
  Please notify your surgeon if you notice any redness, swelling, pain or discharge coming from your wound – or if you visit a doctor and are prescribed antibiotics for an associated infection within 30 days of your procedure.

  Nausea
  While less common these days, you might still experience temporary nausea after your procedure. If it persists, avoid food but continue drinking fluids. If the nausea does not end within 24 hours, please contact your doctor.

  Preventing falls
  Your risk of falling or tripping may increase after your procedure. Be careful when moving around. If you’re feeling unsafe, please rest and let your carer help you for the remainder of the day.
  Information for those at risk of a fall
  Falls prevention information

  Preventing pressure injuries
  Pressure injuries can occur when you are unable to move for a sustained period of time. They can appear as a wound or reddened skin. To avoid these injuries whilst in hospital, regularly change position in bed and walk or move around as much as possible.

  Sore throat
  This sometimes happens as your anaesthetist uses equipment to help with your breathing during your procedure. It usually goes away within 24 hours. Simple pain relief can help.

  Tender arm or hand at injection site
  The area around your injection site can feel uncomfortable due to irritation of the vein or slight bruising from the needle or the drugs injected. It can last several days. If your arm or hand looks red or inflamed, please let your doctor know and notify the Bundaberg Private Day Hospital team.

  Concerns after discharge
  We still care about your health and comfort after you leave our facility. One of our nurses will call you a few days after your surgery to check in on your recovery. You should also make sure you have a post-operative appointment scheduled with your surgeon.

  If you or your carer have any concerns, please contact your doctor or general practitioner. Take your discharge summary with you so they know the details of your surgery.

  If your situation is urgent, please go to your nearest emergency department or dial 000.

• Privacy

  As a patient of Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, we take maintaining your privacy and dignity extremely seriously. We put great effort into keeping medical records relating to your treatment secure. The content of these records will only be divulged with your consent, or where permitted or authorised by law.

  We handle your personal information in accordance with the Nexus Privacy Policy and 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 the Australian Privacy Principles fact sheet.

  Privacy Policy Australian Privacy Principles Fact Sheet
• Quality and safety

  Bundaberg Private Day Hospital strictly follows all statutory and relevant body guidelines and Australian Standards. We work hard to provide both a supportive environment and the highest level of care for our patients and staff.

  We work together under the management of our General Manager/Director of Nursing and Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).

  Patient feedback and quality of care

  We never stop caring about patient care. That’s why we continually monitor and assess everything we do, so we can improve the quality of care we provide. Patient feedback plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of care provided at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital. By actively listening to our patients, we gain valuable insights into their experiences, allowing us to make informed decisions about how to improve our services. Our quality outcomes are reviewed by our MAC before being made available for consumer feedback.

  We encourage patients to confidentially share their thoughts through a post-operative survey sent via email, while guests and visitors can easily provide feedback through our website. This continuous process of collecting and reviewing feedback ensures that we remain responsive to the needs and expectations of our patients, aligning with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

  One of the key metrics we use to gauge patient satisfaction is the Net Promoter Score (NPS). The NPS is a simple way to measure how happy our patients are with the care they receive. At Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, patients are asked: “How likely are you to recommend our hospital to friends and family if they need similar care or treatment?”

  Patients answer this on a scale from 0 to 10, with:

  • 10 being ‘extremely likely’ and
  • 0 being ‘not likely at all’

  Scores of:

  • 9 or 10 are considered ‘promoters’ (very happy patients)
  • 7 or 8 are ‘passives’ (neutral), and
  • anything below 7 is a ‘detractor’ (unhappy patient)

  The NPS is calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters. According to global NPS standards, an NPS score above 70 is considered very high and shows the service is world-class. From July to September 2024, Bundaberg Private Day Hospital achieved a Net Promoter Score of 89.

  Some of the more detailed results from patient feedback during this period revealed:

  • 99% of surveyed patients expressed satisfaction with the quality of care received
  • 99% praised our staff’s communication
  • 98% felt safe whilst in our care

  These results highlight the effectiveness of our efforts and provide us with a clear direction for further enhancing our services.

  Workforce checks

  To make sure we offer the highest possible standard of comfort and care, our specialist clinical staff have their credentials and abilities assessed annually.

  Clinical handover

  To make sure nothing is missed, our systems ensure seamless continuity in the event your care is transferred from one person to another. This includes discharge instructions to patients and/or carers.

  Infection prevention & control

  Bundaberg Private Day Hospital follows strict infection control procedures. Our staff take every precaution to prevent infections and our antibiotic usage is monitored against best practice. As most patients are discharged the same day, we try to get feedback from your specialist or GP if any infections occur. We encourage you to contact us directly if you have any concerns regarding this.

  Bundaberg Private Day Hospital employs a variety of strategies to prevent infections. These include:

  • auditing how often and how well staff wash their hands using soap and water or hand sanitiser
  • using gloves and specialised sterile equipment
  • using specialised disinfectants when cleaning facilities
  • following national guidelines for high-level disinfection and sterilisation processes
  • placing hand sanitiser dispensers in public areas throughout our hospital so that they are readily accessible to staff, patients and visitors.

  What can you do to help prevent infection?

  At Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, patients and visitors are part of the healthcare team. There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of infection for yourself and others:

  • Wash your hands carefully with soap and water or use hand sanitiser upon entering and leaving the hospital. This is the most important way you can prevent the spread of infection.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands afterwards – every time!
  • If you do not have a tissue available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not into your hand.
  • As a patient, report any infection you have had, especially if you are still on antibiotics.
  • Make sure you take the full course of antibiotics you have been given, even if you are feeling better.
  • If you have a dressing for a wound, keep the skin around the dressing clean and dry. Let the healthcare worker looking after you know promptly if it becomes loose or wet.
  • Tell your healthcare worker if the area around any drips, tubes or drains inserted into your body becomes red, swollen or painful.
  • Let the healthcare worker looking after you know if the equipment has not been cleaned properly.
  • Stop smoking before any surgery or procedure, as smoking increases the risk of infection.

  Infection Prevention Results from July to September 2024

  During the last reporting period, Bundaberg Private Day Hospital provided care to 1285 patients. Through the diligent efforts of our doctors, staff, patients and visitors, we are proud to report zero post-surgical infections during this time.

  Hand hygiene

  Bundaberg Private is committed to the Hand Hygiene Australia program. We conduct regular audits to ensure compliance throughout our facility.

  Hand Hygiene is another name for hand washing or cleaning. Good hand hygiene is an important part of infection control. Germs can survive on unwashed hands for over an hour, and we can unknowingly transmit bacteria and viruses to others.

  All our staff are required to frequently wash their hands with soap and water or with waterless hand sanitiser. Both are equally effective. We follow the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for hand hygiene, which specify the following times when healthcare staff must wash their hands:

  • before touching a patient
  • after touching a patient
  • before a procedure
  • after a procedure
  • after touching a patient’s belongings or surroundings

  At Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, we use auditors who are accredited by Hand Hygiene Australia to record whether hand hygiene has been performed correctly at our hospital.

  Learn more about this program here.

  Falls within the hospital

  Patient falls are a leading cause of hospital-acquired injury and often prolong or complicate hospital stays. Patients may experience a fall because they are weakened by a medical condition or after an accident or surgery.

  At Bundaberg Private, we are committed to providing a safe environment for all patients. Between July to September 2024, we cared for 1285 patients, and we are proud to report that there were zero patient falls during this period—a reflection of the robust and proactive measures we have in place that support patient safety.

  Pressure injuries

  Commonly known as bed sores, pressure injuries are areas of skin damage caused by prolonged pressure. They can range in severity from an area of reddened skin to ulcers with underlying tissue damage.

  Pressure injuries can sometimes occur when a patient remains in one position for a long period. Certain people are at increased risk of developing pressure injuries, such as the elderly, people who are bed-bound or have poor mobility, and people with chronic conditions like diabetes. These are most common on hips, tail bones, heels or other bony areas of the body.

  We have a range of approaches to treat and prevent pressure injuries, and our target is always to have zero pressure injuries.

  Unexpected Returns to Theatre

  An unexpected return to the operating theatre is a serious event that may occur if complications arise after surgery. This can happen for various reasons, including infections, bleeding, or other unforeseen issues. At Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, we have thorough processes in place to prevent these occurrences and deliver the highest standard of care for our patients. From July to September 2024, we cared for a significant number of patients, none of whom needed to return to theatre after surgery.

  Medication Safety

  Safe medication management is important to us at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital. There are many systems in use throughout the hospital to support and promote safety in supplying and administering medications and monitoring their effects.

  Staff at Bundaberg Private follow strict guidelines to ensure that all medications are administered appropriately and accurately. We adhere to the 7 Rights of Medication Administration:

  • The Right Person
  • The Right Documentation and Clinical Context
  • The Right Drug
  • The Right Dose
  • The Right Date/Time
  • The Right Route
  • The Right to Uninterrupted Medication Administration

  Should errors in medication administration occur, they are captured in our hospital’s incident reporting system and investigated. We are pleased to confirm there were zero medication errors at our hospital for the last reporting period.

  Consumer Involvement

  We want to hear from you!

  With patients like you at the centre of our care model, we welcome your participation in reviewing our Quality & Safety reports. Please provide feedback on how we can continue to improve.

  Contact our General Manager/Director of Nursing at admin@bundabergprivate.com.au

  Open Disclosure

  At Bundaberg Private Day Hospital, we are dedicated to ensuring transparency and trust through our Open Disclosure process. Open Disclosure involves clear and honest communication about any incidents that might cause concern during your treatment. It’s important to know that most issues in healthcare that don’t go as planned are minor and are often identified and addressed before they impact you.

  In cases where something small doesn’t go to plan, your doctor or nurse will inform you about what happened and how it was managed, just as they would discuss other aspects of your care. If a more serious incident occurs, we will inform you as soon as possible and arrange an Open Disclosure meeting to thoroughly discuss the situation. This process includes explaining what went wrong, why it happened, expressing our regret, and providing the necessary support.

  Our goal is to keep you fully informed and supported, addressing any concerns and working with you to improve our services. If you believe a serious incident has occurred that has not been acknowledged, please speak with your doctor, nurse or other healthcare staff, as we value your feedback in enhancing our care.

• Patients’ rights and responsibilities

  We want to make sure you are aware of your rights while you are staying with us, and we are committed to providing you access in line with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. Please click here for more information.

  Patient rights and responsibilities
• Complaints, concerns and feedback

  We are committed to making your experience positive at Bundaberg Private Day Hospital. Your feedback helps us understand where we need to focus and how we can improve our services.
  Please share any feedback, concerns or complaints with our General Manager/Director of Nursing Dheena Naidoo d.naidoo@bundabergprivate.com.au or Dheena DON on the hospital landline: (07) 41524886.
  If you are unable to resolve your concerns, you should contact:

  The Health Care Complaints Commission
  Level 17/53 Albert St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
  Call: 133 646
  Visit website: https://www.oho.qld.gov.au/

  Submit feedback