For your own copy of this guide, please scan the code with your smartphone camera and a digital download will begin. Scan Me PATIENT INFORMATION GUIDE Property of Forster Private Hospital patient Information Contents Welcome from the Chief Executive Visitor Facilities 12 Officer (CEO) 3 Televisions 12 History 4 Newspapers, Magazines and Mail Delivery 12 Your Rights and Responsibilities 4 Free Wi-Fi for Admitted Patients 13 Quality in Health Care 6 Spiritual/Emotional Needs 13 Accreditation 6 Telephones 13 Emergency Procedures 6 Volunteers 13 Clinical Handover 6 Tests and Treatment 13 Nurse Call System 7 Valuables 16 Identification Bands 7 Smoking 16 The Unwell Patient 7 Shower/Water Temperature 16 Preventing Pressure Injuries in Hospital 7 Maintenance 16 On Your Own Two Feet 8 Day Leave 16 Manual Handling and Safe Lifting 8 Great Lakes Palliative Support Services Inc. 17 Infection Prevention 9 Pre-Admission Services 17 Meals and Food Safety 10 What to Bring with You on Admission to Medications and Pharmacy 10 Hospital 17 General Information 11 Discharge Procedures 18 Hospital Staff 11 Patient Satisfaction 18 Accommodation 11 Veterans’ Liaison Officer 19 Doctors Visiting Times 11 Facilities at Forster Private Hospital 19 Students in Training 11 Local Community Services for Your Information 22 Medical Record 12 Visiting Hours 12 2 patient Information Welcome from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Our team at the Forster Private Hospital warmly welcome you to our hospital and thank you for the opportunity to care for you. We are committed to providing you with the highest standard of care whilst also making your stay with us as comfortable as possible. Our experienced and professional team will discuss with you all aspects of your treatment and will encourage you to be included in all decision making along the way. Please let us know if you have any particular needs or expectations throughout your stay and we will endeavor to meet your requirements. Please feel comfortable talking to our doctor or other staff about any issues or concerns that may be causing you anxiety. We are all here to contribute to your care. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information about the hospital and answer some of your questions. If there is anything further that you need, please ask. Ben Uprichard. Regional Chief Executive Officer Mid North Coast, NSW Forster would like to acknowledge the traditional Worimi people who are the custodians of this land, and to pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging 3 patient Information History Your Rights and Responsibilities Cape Hawke Community Hospital was officially opened on 26 April 1957 and consisted of five Whilst in our care at Forster Private beds on the corner of Cross and Strand Streets, Hospital, you have the right to: now Townsend Street, Forster. • Considerate and respectful care, regardless Forster Private Hospital, in its current location of race, creed, sex or nationality. in South Street Forster, now has 64 beds. We • Know the name of the doctor who has serve the community with acute medical primary responsibility for coordinating services and a robust Rehabilitation Unit, your care, and the identity and functions of complete with gymnasium and hydrotherapy others who are involved in providing care. pool, multiple consulting suites, an Oncology Unit and two modern operating theatres. • Seek a second opinion. • Receive information from your doctor, On Saturday, 21 November 2020, dignitaries in language you understand, regarding gathered to sample ‘roast beef and apple pie’ your illness, it’s likely course, the expected and commemorate the 50 Year Anniversary of treatment, the plans for discharge from the Forster Private Hospital taking residence on hospital and follow-up care. this Worimi land. • Be fully informed regarding your treatment, Dedication state of health, accepted alternative Forster Private Hospital would like to methods of treatment (including benefits acknowledge the traditional Worimi people and risks of each), and the consequences who are the custodians of this land, and to pay of refusing treatment – prior to giving our respects to their elders past, present and consent. Unless the law prohibits, you may emerging. refuse recommended treatment, tests or procedures and you may leave against the advice of your doctor, at your own risk, upon completion of discharge forms. • Be informed of estimated costs prior to any treatment. • Refuse to participate in medical studies or experimental treatment. • Confidentiality of your information, unless written permission is provided by you or your representative, or it is required by law. 4 patient Information • Know your discharge plan and any As a patient, you have the continuing health care you may require, responsibility to: including the time and location of • Provide accurate and complete information appointments and the name of any doctor regarding matters relating to your health. who will be providing follow-up care. • Report unexpected changes in your • Not be restrained, except as authorised by condition to staff. your physician, consented by your next of kin, or in an emergency when necessary to • Ask questions if you do not understand protect you or others from injury. your treatment plan or what is expected of you. • Be visited by people of your choice during daily visiting hours as established by the • Follow the treatment plan recommended, hospital, send and receive personal mail, including following instructions of staff and be visited by clergy. involved in your care. • Retain and use personal possessions, • Maintain appointments when you’re able as space permits, unless to do so would to do so, or inform the hospital/doctor if infringe on the rights of other patients or you’re unable to attend as planned. unless medically contra-indicated. • Provide information concerning your ability • Be maintained in a safe and secure to pay for services. environment. • Acknowledge the consequences of • Make complaints and have access to your actions by refusing treatment or assistance to resolve such complaints. instructions. • Be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel. • Be respectful of hospital property and the property of other people in the hospital at all times. 5 patient Information Quality in Health Care Accreditation At Forster Private Hospital, we are Forster Private Hospital committed to the highest quality undertakes an external of care within a safe environment. While you certification of all services are receiving treatment, your safety is our directly related to the patient experience and primary concern. We want you to feel secure the hospitals governance structure. This is in and confident, and have trust in those caring line with OIS (Organisation of International for you. Standards) and the NSQHS Standards. This ensures we consistently deliver a high Our programs conform to all health standards, standard of care. fire codes and environmental regulations. In recognition of our commitment to Emergency Procedures excellence in quality patient care and customer service, Forster Private Hospital is In the event of an emergency, certified and operates a quality management you will hear an alarm sound. You system that complies with the requirements may hear a voice asking you to evacuate. If this of the Australian Council on Healthcare occurs, please remain in your room until a staff Standards (ACHS), incorporating the eight (8) member advises you what to do. Any visitors National Safety and Quality Health Service with you at the time should also remain with (NSQHS) Standards. you in your room. Please follow the directions of staff who are fully trained in emergency procedures. A staff member will accompany or direct you to a safe location, if required. Clinical Handover As part of the NSQHS Standards, patients are involved in clinical handover. We conduct our shift-to-shift handover at the patient’s bedside. This enables the patient to be involved in the process of clinical handover and be consistently involved in their care. 6 patient Information Nurse Call System Preventing Pressure Injuries in Hospital The Nurse Call system will be explained to you on arrival. There is a buzzer located next to Pressure injuries are areas of your bed and in the bathroom/shower for your damage to the skin that result from reduced convenience. Do not hesitate to press your mobility or prolonged bedrest. They can buzzer once whenever you need assistance, appear on any bony area where blood supply particularly at night. Nursing staff will respond may be impaired due to prolonged pressure to as quickly as possible. There is an EMERGENCY that area that reduces blood supply. BUZZER in your room for URGENT assistance only. There are a number of reasons why pressure injuries occur, including: Identification Bands • Pressure • Shearing On admission to the hospital, you • Friction will be required to wear an identification band on your wrist and your ankle. • Poor circulation • Moist/wet skin It is important that these bands are not removed during your stay, unless done so by • Poor diet/malnutrition a member of staff in the course of providing • Physical condition/other medical treatment. You should have at least one ID conditions. band on at all times. There are ways to prevent these If you have any allergies, please notify the staff. pressure injuries from occurring, You will be required to wear a red allergy band including: to identify this to all staff caring for you. • Keeping active. Shift your position slightly every 20 minutes or so when in bed or The Unwell Patient sitting in a chair and avoiding lying flat on your back for long periods. Escalating your relative’s care • The use of pressure relieving equipment If you are concerned about your relative’s care, (airflow mattresses), if deemed appropriate. please speak to the nurse looking after them. • Informing staff if you have sore areas.