Operations and surgical procedures

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. The following information addresses the most commonly asked questions regarding day or overnight surgery. You should ask your doctor or specialist for more specific information about the surgery you will be having.

What to expect

Your letter from the hospital will tell you the date and time of your admission and where to go when you arrive at the hospital. It may be a ward, an admission clinic or a day surgery unit. If you are unsure where to go when you arrive, ask at the main reception or information desk which is usually in the hospital's main foyer. On arrival your details will be checked by hospital 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. A red identification band may also be used if you have known allergies. 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.

Before any treatment you must give your informed consent.

Day or overnight procedure

Day surgery is when someone comes to the hospital (usually in the morning) for a minor surgical procedure, and leaves the same day.

Inpatient surgery (overnight procedure) is when someone stays in the hospital overnight after their surgery. Sometimes people who are staying overnight will be admitted to the hospital the day before their surgery. In most cases people who are staying overnight will be admitted the morning of their surgery.

Before surgery

Be prepared. Before your admission:

• check that you know how to get to the hospital and decide on your travel plans (check 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 any plans for pets, cancelling newspapers, collecting mail etc while you are in hospital
• prepare any test results, medical scans, X-rays or reports you need to take with you
• read the checklist below for a guide on what to bring to hospital
• make sure you leave plenty of time to get to the hospital on the day so you are not rushed
• if you require medication around the time of your admission, please bring it with you
• do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your surgery
• do not smoke for 4 weeks before surgery or your risk of serious complications increases
• ask your doctor if you can take your routine medications (such as those for heart, blood pressure, or insulin) before arriving for surgery
• shower at home the evening before surgery, or in the morning
• do not shave the surgical site. This will be done for you if necessary. Shaving yourself increases the risk of infection
• you will be required to remove contact lenses, jewellery, dentures and wigs.

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 call the hospital and let the staff know so we can arrange help for your admission. Chaplaincy and counselling services may also be available.

You may be asked to attend a pre-admission clinic about 1–2 weeks before going into hospital. Staff at the clinic will do a thorough health assessment and provide information about your treatment. Some tests, such as blood tests, may be undertaken. These clinics allow most patients to be admitted to hospital on the morning of their treatment rather than the day before.

For more information about what to bring to hospital see Hospital care: before, during and after.