Hospital care: before, during and after
Going into hospital can be a stressful time for patients and families. Knowing as much as possible before you go can help ease the stress.
Before going to hospital
Your specialist will determine if you need a test, operation or other treatment in hospital and will send a letter to the hospital asking for your admission.
Your details will be placed on a register and the hospital will write to you letting you know how long you can expect to wait before admission.
When an exact date has been made for your treatment, the hospital will send you another letter detailing:
- time and date of your required treatment
- where to go when you arrive
- special instructions for your treatment, such as asking you to not eat or drink (fasting) before your admission
- items you are required to bring with you to hospital such as x-rays
- contact information should you have any questions regarding your admission.
Waiting for hospital treatment
Patients are booked in for procedures according to how urgently they require treatment. The admissions register is managed so that the most ill patients receive treatment first.
Occasionally, it may be necessary to cancel and re-book your appointment date or time. Every attempt will be made to avoid this but unexpected emergencies, such as urgent surgery on accident victims, may make it necessary.
What if my health changes while waiting for hospital admission?
If your condition changes or you have any health problems while waiting for your appointment, it is important you see your general practitioner. They may notify the hospital or specialist to discuss your health needs and may also be able to suggest some alternatives which may improve your health while you are waiting for admission to hospital.
Checklist of things to do before admission to hospital
Before your admission:
- check that you know how to get to the hospital and decide on your travel plans (check times of public transport, enquire where to park if needed, check where in the hospital you need to go)
- make sure you tell family and friends you are going into hospital
- make childcare arrangements if required
- make any plans for pets, cancelling newspapers, collecting mail etc while you are in hospital
- gather together any test results, medical scans, x-rays or reports you need to take with you
- prepare items to take with you to hospital (see ‘What to bring’ below)
- leave plenty of time to get to the hospital on the day so you are not rushed
- call the hospital at least 2 days ahead of your treatment to advise them if you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or require an interpreter.
What to bring
The following is a suggested checklist of what to bring for your hospital stay:
- your admission letter from the hospital and any forms the hospital sent you to complete for admission
- any letters from your doctor
- X-rays, scans or copies of any recent tests
- any medication or dietary supplements you may require during your visit
- Medicare card, Pensioner/Veterans' Affairs card
- details of workers' compensation or third party claims
- name and contact number for next of kin
- a book or magazine, if desired
- a small amount of money for a taxi fare home, if necessary
- mobile phone (check with the hospital on their policy) or change to make public phone calls
- eye glasses, hearing aid if required
- special toy, dummy or bottle for children if they have one.
Additionally for patients staying overnight or for a few days:
- nightclothes, and dressing gown if desired
- non-slip slippers/footwear
- comfortable day wear and underwear—bring enough for your hospital stay or arrange for your family to launder and return items to you
- toiletries (toothbrush and paste, hair brush, comb, soap etc).
Please do not bring:
- large amounts of money or several credit cards
- jewellery, televisions or other valuables (hospitals do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur to items you bring into hospital)
- alcohol (alcohol is not permitted in Queensland Health hospitals)
Check with your hospital if you wish to bring hairdryers, shavers or other personal electric appliances as they may not be permitted or will require safety testing. Faulty electrical items may interfere with medical equipment.
Hospital admission
What happens during admission to hospital
On arrival your details will be checked by the staff. To help us provide quality care, we need to know complete and accurate details of:
- your medical history
- details of any medicines you are taking
- current address and phone number
- details of your general practitioner or other treating health professionals
- your Medicare number
- details of your private health cover or any other cover that might fund your hospital stay
- any current advance health directive or enduring power of attorney, and copies of these documents
- details of any workers' compensation claim
- your need for an interpreter or cultural support worker.
When you are admitted, a bracelet identification band will be put on your wrist or ankle. Please check the details on it are accurate and wear it while you are in hospital.
Depending on the treatment you need, you may be shown to a ward. The staff there will show you your room and bed, where to put your belongings and how to operate the bed and nurse call controls. A small bedside locker is provided for your personal belongings.
If you have any questions or are unsure of any information you are given, ask the hospital staff. All personal information is held in strictest confidence.
During your stay
What will happen when I have my treatment?
Before you have any treatment your doctor will talk to you about your medical condition—why you need the treatment, the benefits and risks, and what other types of treatment are available. Ask if you are unsure about any treatment or have any questions. It is important you fully understand your treatment.
You will be asked for your consent before any treatment, and will be given a consent form to read. You may want to talk this over with others before you give your consent. When you fully understand the treatment, you will be asked to sign the consent form.
The doctor or nurse will tell you what time you are having your treatment and anything you need to do beforehand, such as stop eating or drinking, including chewing gum and water (sometimes called fasting).
Can I have a family member or friend with me during treatment?
Generally friends and relatives will be asked to wait for you in a waiting area or asked to return to collect you after your treatment.
However, in certain circumstances such as if the patient is non-English speaking or the patient has special needs, a carer or relative may accompany them if the doctor allows.
Parents of children having treatment are encouraged to stay with their child at all times except during surgery.
After your treatment
If you have a general anaesthetic you will usually wake up in the recovery room and will be monitored by a nurse before being taken to the ward.
After your treatment a doctor or nurse will advise you on any care you need. They will tell you when you can go home and advise when you next need to see a doctor.
In an emergency, if the hospital cannot provide the treatment you need, you may be transferred to another hospital that can treat you. If this is needed your doctor will discuss this with you and/or your family.
Practical information while in hospital
Some public hospitals will ask if you will give consent for your medical information to be used in health research. Your doctor will talk to you about what information might be disclosed and used for research, and you can choose whether you will give consent for your information to be made available to researchers. If you decide to participate, your health information will only be used for approved research projects considered to be low risk and non-interventional. No information that could identify you will be made public and your privacy will be protected.
Read more about sharing your medical information for health research.
Patients are provided with a patient information directory located on your bedside locker. This will have all the information you will require for your stay. The following is general information about hospital stays:
Meals
Meals will be provided to you from the hospital menus and some wards have tea and coffee making facilities. Most hospitals have a café or vending machine for refreshments for visitors.
Media
Queensland Health has communication staff who can help you if you are approached by the media during your hospital stay. Your privacy and health is our primary concern. A general condition report using standard terms (good, stable, serious or critical) is the only information given in response to a media call. Patients will be asked for their written consent before any media activity takes place.
Pastoral care
Most hospitals have a pastoral care team of representatives from various religious groups. They offer advice, guidance and support and will help anyone regardless of their beliefs. If you or your family would like to see a pastoral care worker please see a staff member and they will provide you with contact details.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any area other than an outdoor nominated smoking place, if available. Ask staff for the location.
If you are a patient coming into hospital and you smoke, your smoking will be assessed and you will be offered nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches or gum) to help you not smoke during your hospital stay. The patches and gum will reduce any withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability and anxiety.
Staff identification
All staff and volunteers wear hospital identification badges that include their photograph, name and job title. If you are concerned about the identity of a visitor, call a staff member.
Student training
Queensland Health hospitals are teaching facilities and doctors and nurses in training could be present. Your doctor should introduce them to you. If you would prefer not to have these medical staff present please let the doctor know. Asking to be seen alone will not affect your care in any way.
Support
Many of our hospitals have special services to help you. If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are hearing impaired or need an interpreter, please let the staff know so help may be arranged for you. Chaplaincy and counselling services can be arranged.
Going home
You can go home as soon as your doctor feels you are well enough. The staff caring for you will plan your return home as soon as possible and this can include:
- any follow-up outpatient appointments
- medicines and prescriptions
- arrangements for any community support services
- any equipment or aids you need at home.
Your doctor will talk to you about your after-care. It is important you understand the after-care you need. This helps keep you well and helps to prevent any further medical problems.
Before you leave the hospital make sure that you:
- understand the treatment you were given and what care you require
- know what medicines you need to take and why
- know when you need to see a doctor again and who to see (your general practitioner, the specialist or outpatient clinic)
- ask if you need a medical certificate, a letter for your general practitioner or Work Cover information
- take all your belongings with you including any x-rays you brought into the hospital
-
have made arrangements for your travel home.
Travelling home
Patients are responsible for making their own travel arrangements home. Only patients needing medical help, such as patients on oxygen, can be transported home by ambulance.
Make arrangements for someone to help you get home as soon as you know the date you will be leaving hospital. Alternatively taxi ranks are situated outside most major hospitals.
If specialist medical or dental services are not available in your local area then you may be eligible for financial help for travel and accommodation. Ask the hospital staff for information about Queensland Health's Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
Recovery
It may take some weeks or months to fully recover from an injury or surgery. Ask your doctor how long recovery should take so that you can plan for rest and rehabilitation and follow your doctor’s after-care advice.
If you have any concerns about your health after you leave hospital, contact your general practitioner. If you suddenly become unwell, call the hospital ward and speak with the staff, or go to the hospital Emergency Department.
What if I have a compliment or concern about my hospital visit?
If you have any feedback about your visit please let us know.
- While at the hospital, you can speak with the staff or ask to see a Patient Liaison Officer.
- After leaving the hospital, phone or write to the hospital.