Pre-appointment Information
Elective surgery, procedures, treatments and appointments
Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) continues to review how to manage its readiness and response to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation.
Please read the following information and watch the 'Patient Information Video' (accessed on the left of this screen) to prepare for your admission, treatment or outpatient appointment.
If you are being admitted for an elective day surgery, please watch the ‘Elective day procedure information video’.
If you are being admitted overnight for an elective surgery, please watch the ‘Elective overnight stay information video’.
- Do you have a cough, runny nose, shortness of breath or a sore throat?
- Have you developed a fever in the past five days?
- Are you experiencing muscle and joint pain, headache or fatigue?
- Have you a recent loss of taste or smell?
- Do you have abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea?
- Have you been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 7 days?
- Have you received a positive COVID-19 test result in the last 7 days or are you awaiting results of a COVID-19 test?
If you answer YES to any of the above questions, you MUST discuss this with your admitting doctor.
If you have had COVID-19 in the 7 days prior to your planned admission date, please contact your consultant to make sure that he/she is aware of this.
Elective surgery refers to non-emergency surgery that is medically necessary, but which can be delayed for at least 24 hours. If you have been scheduled for surgery, and placed on the elective surgery waiting list, the following information will assist you to understand the process.
Please read the following to prepare for your elective surgery, procedure, treatment or outpatient appointment.
Patients and visitors who are well and have no symptoms of COVID-19 are no longer required to undertake a RAT prior to entering the hospital/admission.
However, if you answered yes to one of the screening questions you should contact your admitting doctor to discuss
Please bring with you any letters or e-mails you have received with details of your procedure / treatment or appointment.
Do not attend the hospital if you are unwell. This includes, but is not limited to, having COVID-19/Influenza Type Illness symptoms.
Enter the hospital via the JHC public or private main entrance. Please present at the reception desk to be admitted into the hospital.
The admission staff will re-check the screening questions with you at this time.
Patients receiving care in the oncology unit/other outpatient clinics can enter those units directly.
If you attend the hospital with any influenza like symptoms, you must be further assessed by your treating team to assess your suitability for surgery / treatment.
Surgery or procedure
The risks associated with surgery or procedures are much higher for people with COVID-19 and must be weighed against the risks of delaying treatment.
It is highly likely that your surgery will be postponed if you test positive for COVID-19.
If your treating team determines you need urgent care, your surgery may go ahead as planned with a range of additional precautions. This may include moving you to an isolation area.
Outpatient appointment or attending for other treatment
Please call the outpatient/clinic to advise them if you have a positive COVID-19 result. They will advise you of the next actions.
It is likely that your appointment or treatment will be postponed if you test positive for COVID-19. If your treating team determines you need urgent care, your treatment may go ahead as planned with a range of additional precautions. This may include moving you to an isolation area.
For further information
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss with or call the clinic/area that you will be visiting for your appointment/ admission.
Pre-admission service in the Specialist Medical Assessment Clinic (SMAC)
You may be requested to attend an appointment in the Specialist Medical Assessment Clinic prior to your surgical admission. This appointment will be sent to you via email or telephone. At this appointment you will be seen by a nurse who will speak to you about your hospital stay, ensure your paperwork is complete, advise what to bring to hospital and address any concerns you may have. In addition, you will be reviewed by an anaesthetist. Please bring any medications you are taking, including the doses to show the anaesthetist. If you live in the Country or are unable to attend the clinic, we have a telehealth option via the zoom application that can be arranged for you.
You MUST complete the patient health questionnaire prior to this appointment, otherwise the appointment will be rescheduled.
Prior to your surgery date, you will be contacted by the hospital with an expected admission time.
Fasting & medications
Please follow your doctor’s instructions in relation to eating and drinking prior to your admission. Fasting means nothing to eat or drink and no chewing gum for a specific time prior to your operation. Please check with your doctor to see if you should continue to take your regular medications on the morning of admission. If you are taking aspirin or blood thinning medication, you will need instructions from your doctor.
For patients staying overnight, please bring all your regular medications (in their original containers) and any repeat scripts and/or special authority prescriptions. Your medication will be given to you by nursing staff as ordered by your doctor. Any unused medication will be returned upon discharge.
In the interest of safety, please do not keep any medication in your possession.
Links
Pre-operative wash instructions
Fasting guidelines
CPAP machine brochure
Hospital Map