Your Stay at Kareena Private Hospital

For your comfort and convenience (A-Z)

Car Parking
Kareena Private Hospital provides limited free visitor car parking within the grounds of the hospital.

Cardiology Services
Kareena Private Hospital has a Cardiac Catheter Lab (located on the first floor) and performs the latest non-invasive diagnostic cardiac tests available including ECG, Echocardiography, and Transoesophageal Echo.

Catering
Our Catering Department prepares a variety of top quality, fresh meals. Menus will be provided each morning from which you may select meals according to your taste and dietary requirements.

Coffee Garden

Coffee Shop / Lounge Facilities
"Courtyard for Coffee" is located in the lobby of the Hospital for patients and visitors and opens to one of our courtyards.

Delicious beverages, slices, quiche and a variety of gourmet sandwiches are available. Open 7 days a week, 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Fridays and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sundays. Lounges with coffee making facilities are also available in the ward areas for your convenience.

A vending machine is available near front reception.

Compliments / Complaints
We welcome compliments and feedback relating to your stay with us and we encourage all patients to complete the feedback form that is located at your bedside. This enables us to evaluate and improve our services to our patients. These questionnaires are anonymous, however, if you wish to write a specific and signed letter, you may address to the CEO and your points will be acknowledged and dealt with appropriately.

Patient satisfaction surveys are conducted independently of the hospital by Press Ganey Associates. If you are surveyed, your inclusion in these surveys is voluntary. We would appreciate your assistance if you are asked to participate.

If you are concerned about your care or the hospital services please do not hesitate to contact the Nursing Unit Manager on the ward, the Director of Clinical Services or the Chief Executive Officer. Complaints can be received by writing a letter, by telephone, in person or through our survey system.

If your concerns are not resolved to your satisfaction, you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission or the ombudsman.

Discharge
Please arrange to be picked up before 10.00am on the day you are being discharged. After 10.00am a discharge lounge is provided for your comfort where you can wait to be picked up.
Before you leave please ensure you have all your personal items (including those that have been left in Patient Trust), all medications, your x-rays and follow up instructions.

Emergency Procedures
The hospital has highly developed safety and emergency procedures in which each staff member has a key role. In the unlikely event of an emergency, remain by your bed until a staff member arrives to assist you.

Falls Prevention In Hospital
In Australian hospitals, approximately 38% of patient incidents involve a fall. In order to maintain the safety of patients while in hospital Kareena Private Hospital uses a number of falls prevention strategies. Patients may become more susceptible to falling during their stay in hospital for a range of reasons, including the unfamiliar surroundings, change of medication and surgery. During your admission, you may undergo a falls risk assessment to determine if you are at risk of falling and what may need to be done to decrease this risk. Please be sure to pack appropriate footwear when coming to hospital; patients are encouraged to wear closed, non-slip slippers. If you are at risk of falling please ask for nursing assistance when transferring or mobilising around the room. We encourage families and friends to participate in the falls prevention process to ensure our patients’ safety. We also suggested that you read the Falls Prevention Information brochure which is available in each ward.

Flowers And Mail
Flowers and mail are delivered directly to your room. If you have mail to post please contact the ward clerk or main reception and this will be arranged for you.

Going Home
Your doctor should already have told you how long you can expect to stay. Your discharge will be planned with you by your doctor and the nursing staff. Discharge time is 10.00am.
On discharge the ward nurse will inform you when to make appointments for follow up, order any medications you are to take home and make any other arrangements necessary for your after care.
If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation you will need to be accompanied home by a responsible adult. You should not drive a car, operate machinery or domestic appliances, conduct important business or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours following your anaesthetic.

Identification On Staff
All staff wear name badges as a means of identification and internal security. The badges show the staff member’s name and position.

Infection Control
The management and staff of Kareena Private Hospital are committed to providing all patients with the highest quality care by promoting infection control. Hand washing, high standards of housekeeping, the use of sterile techniques and equipment, are just a small part of the efforts our staff make to ensure your speedy recovery and to reduce risk of infection. However, patients also have a vital role to play in reducing risk of infection to themselves and other patients. Here are a few very simple guidelines. Please take a moment to read them.

• Always wash your hands when leaving your room.
• Personal hygiene is very important. Soap is readily available so that you can thoroughly wash your hands after each visit to the toilet.
• Nursing staff can supply you with soap for showering if you don’t have any of your own. Always keep such toiletries for your sole use.
• Please place all hospital laundry, such as pyjamas and towels in the linen trolleys provided.
• Mention to nursing staff any concerns you may have regarding hygiene of the ward or bathrooms.
• Please avoid sitting on the beds of other patients. Nursing staff are happy to provide you with a chair if required.

If you have any questions about infection control, the nursing staff will happily assist you. The Hospital’s Infection Control Coordinator is also available to answer any of your queries.

Your co-operation in helping us to maintain a high standard of infection control is appreciated.

Interpreter Service
If the service of an interpreter is required, contact the hospital prior to admission so that the necessary arrangements can be made. There may be a cost associated with the service.

Lost Property
Personal belongings inadvertently left after discharge will be forwarded to the lost property box in our Reception area. Staff will endeavour to label any item with your name and you will be contacted to collect the items.

Medical Staff
The doctor who admits you is responsible for your medical care whilst you are in Kareena Private Hospital. Any questions that you have regarding your treatment should be directed to him or her.

Methods Of Payment
We accept the following forms of payment:

• Cash
• Personal cheque (up to $1000)
• Bank cheque
• Credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
• EFTPOS (we regret only direct payments, not cash withdrawals, are possible)

Please telephone our Patient Accounts Department on (02) 9717 0323 if you have any account queries.

Newspapers / Magazines
Magazines, newspapers, toiletries and snacks are available from the ‘Courtyard for Coffee’ in the lobby.

Pathology
Symbion Laverty Pathology is located onsite and provides a 24-hour service to hospital inpatients as well as outpatient services. If you have a pathology service performed whilst you are in hospital, a separate account may be sent to you which can be claimed from Medicare and your health fund.

Patient Record
A patient record will be kept of your illness and treatment. This will be confidential and access being limited only to the healthcare professionals directly involved in your treatment. Your patient record will remain in the property of the hospital. The contents of your patient record will be divulged only with your written consent, or where required by the law. You may request to review your patient record at any time.
Please contact the Nurse Unit Manager to organise this.

Dispensary
A dispensary services is provided at the hospital. A pharmacist will attend frequent rounds of each ward daily. They will dispense medications as requested by your doctor and explain new medications to you. Some medications are additional to your hospital charges; if applicable a separate account will be sent to you by Pharmacy.

Privacy
All hospitals in the Ramsay Health Care Group comply with the Commonwealth Privacy Act and all other state/territory legislative requirements in relation to the management of personal information. Our patients can feel safe in the knowledge that we safeguard their personal health information ensuring that confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely.

If you have any further enquiries in relation to our Privacy Policy or our health information management practices please refer to the Privacy Policy included in the Pre-Admission Forms booklet.

Quality Improvement
The hospital utilises sophisticated levels of quality measurement and reviews to ensure all aspects of your care are of a high standard.

Additionally Kareena Private Hospital has full accreditation with the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS).

Radiology
Located within the Hospital, Symbion provides a highly sophisticated service to inpatients of Kareena Private Hospital. These services include CT scanning, ultrasound and mammography.

Shop
A limited range of retail items including gifts, toiletries, newspapers, magazines and books can be purchased from the café ‘Courtyard for Coffee’ in the foyer. Patients and visitors are welcome to utilise this service.

Smoking
In accordance with the Department of Health Policy, smoking is not permitted in the hospital. Designated areas for smoking are available outside the hospital. (Staff will direct you to these areas). It is recommended that you do not smoke before and after your procedure.

Telephones
You can make and receive free local calls from the telephone by your bed. Mobile, STD and ISD telephone calls cannot be made without the purchase of a telephone card, which are available at reception.

To contact Reception press “9”.

Your visitors / relatives may call you directly by dialling 9717 ____ followed by the extension number provided on each phone. Alternatively they may call 02 9717 0000

Please note that mobile telephones must be turned off whilst in the hospital as they interfere with monitoring equipment.

Television
The hospital provides a television set at your bedside at no additional charge. Your nurse-call handset operates the television. All the free-to-air channels are available as well as a movie channel and 4 radio stations.

The handset by your bed allows you to easily choose a radio or television program. When either of the channel selector buttons is pushed the current channel is displayed on the television screen. The socket on the right hand side of the handset is for the use of an earphone for private listening. Please note that sound will come through the earphone, not the handset speaker, if you call for nursing assistance while it is plugged in.

Valuables
In the hospital, bedside lockers and a cupboard are provided for each patient to store toiletries and personal belongings. Patients are strongly advised not to wear jewellery and to leave other valuables at home. The hospital will not accept liability for loss of valuables unless officially lodged for safekeeping with the hospital.

Visiting Hours

• General Wards – 10.00am to 12.00am and 3.00pm – 8.00pm
• Maternity Ward – 2.00pm - 4.00pm and 7.00pm – 8.00pm Partners are welcome to visit anytime
• Coronary Care and Intensive Care – by arrangement with the Nurse Manager
• Rehabilitation Ward – 3.00pm – 8.00pm

Limited visitor parking is located at the Hospital’s main entrance. Parking is free.

Volunteers
The hospital has a team of volunteers, who visit daily (Monday to Friday) to tend to your flowers and offer support and assistance or just the opportunity to have a chat with someone.

Ward Organisation
The ward areas are under the supervision of the Nurse Unit Manager during weekdays and an After Hours Co-ordinator on evening, night and weekend shifts. Any problems that may occur should be raised with the Nurse Unit Manager during that time or they will visit a patient when requested.

Your Surgery
We advise the following cannot be worn into the operating theatre:

• Nail polish (fingers or toes)
• Make up
• Hairpins
• Wigs
• Jewellery
• Contact lenses / glasses
• Hearing aids
• Prosthesis
• Thank you for your cooperation.

Planning for discharge

Once you are over the acute phase of your surgery or illness, it is expected that you will continue your recovery at home. Before you come to Hospital, you will need to consider how you will manage daily living activities like:

• meals
• personal care
• shopping
• home care

If you have concerns about how you will manage after discharge, contact your GP.

Discharge is on or before 10.00am, as rooms are scheduled for re-use after 10.00am.

On the morning of your discharge, a staff member from Main Reception will visit you at your bedside to finalise payment of your account.

At time of discharge please ensure that you collect any x-rays, medications or valuables in trust before leaving the Hospital.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Clinical Services or Nursing Unit Manager if you need any further assistance.

All the best for a speedy recovery.