Understanding your surgical experience

 

Check-in process

The first people you will meet are our reception staff who will greet you and confirm your personal details. You will wait in the reception area until one of our nurses asks to see you for your clinical admission.  

Although we recommend leaving valuables at home, we do have lockers available for any items you bring with you.

To help the day run smoothly please:

  • Make sure you observe the fasting period as per the booking staff’s instructions.
  • Arrive at the time given to you by the booking staff.
  • Bring anything relevant to your admission (x-rays, regular medications, consent forms etc.).
  • Don’t wear nail polish or make-up.

Our experienced staff are available at any time to answer your questions.

Please note: the nurses will admit patients according to the order of your doctor's operating list. 

 

Pre-procedure review

One of our nurses will review your medical history, any allergies, take your blood pressure and pulse, and check your consent is correct and complete. Your anaesthetist may ask to see you at this stage. You will then be asked to wait until a nurse calls you to get ready for your operation/procedure. We will check your details several times throughout your stay to ensure your safety. 

 

Preoperative holding area 

Before your surgery, you will stay in a waiting area, where the staff will prepare you. This may include shaving the surgical site, giving you medication, doing an electrocardiogram (ECG), taking a blood test, or washing your skin. Once this has been done, you will be taken to the preoperative holding area where you will change into a theatre gown and wait on a trolley until a porter comes to escort you into the operating theatre. 

 

Operating theatre 

You will most likely be taken on a trolley into the theatre and anaesthetic bay. For your safety you will be asked what your name is and what operation you are having. Staff will check your paperwork, the armband you are wearing, that consent has been signed, that pre-medication has been given (if ordered), and whether you have any allergies. If you have allergies, you will be given a red cap to put on; otherwise, you will be given a white or blue cap to help hold your hair in place. Unfortunately, visitors cannot be accommodated in the theatre holding area. 

 

Recovery

After your operation/procedure you will wake up in the recovery area. The recovery nurses will make sure you are comfortable and awake enough before transferring you to the seated recovery area, where you will be offered a beverage and light refreshments.

If you need to stay overnight, you’ll be guided to your private room with ensuite.

 

Going home

As you leave, you’ll receive a pack to take home with essential information for your recovery.

Read more about discharge here

 

Catering

Our on-site kitchen prepares meals for our overnight patients. We can cater to most dietary requirements. 

 

Interpreter service 

If the service of an interpreter is required, contact us prior to admission so that the necessary arrangements can be made. 

 

Access your medical records 

Under the Health Records Act 2001, patients can request access to their medical records.  

To request access to your health records held by Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown, contact:

Kristy Acreman
General Manager / Director of Clinical Services 
Email: AcremanK@Ramsayhealth.com.au