Special Aspects of Care
Infection Control
The hospital has an effective Infection Control program in place to ensure that through the implementation and routine use of evidenced Best Practice policies and procedures, both patients and staff will be protected from acquiring infections.
The single most effective means of reducing the risk of transmission of micro-organisms from one person to another is hand hygiene.
This is facilitated through, liquid soaps, and also the use of anti-microbial hand gels to cleanse without water.
Staff may also wear gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection as part of standard precautionary measures to minimise the risk of cross-infection.
During your stay with us, you can assist with our infection control measures by: –
- Remembering that personal hygiene is important. Soap is readily available for hand washing in your bathroom.
- If necessary, reminding the nurses and your visitors to wash their hands or use the anti-microbial hand gel at the end of your bed before attending to you.
- Advising nursing staff if you have any concerns regarding the hygiene of the hospital.
If you have any questions regarding infection control, please ask your nurse. If necessary, the Infection Control Co-ordinator or Director of Clinical Services can be contacted on your behalf.
No Lift Policy
Shepparton Private Hospital has a No Lift Policy which recognises that nurses no longer need to lift patients manually in most instances but can use hoists, sliding aids and other specialised equipment to move or transfer you while you are in hospital.
The policy enables the hospital to meet its duty of care to staff under Occupational Health and Safety legislation, regulations and standards, to ensure that staff are not placed at risk of injury due to their job.
The use of aids also helps ensure that you are moved with the least possible effort and discomfort. Nursing staff will explain the use of the equipment to you.
Your Safety / Falls Risk Program
Your safety is very important to us and, in particular, the hospital is committed to reducing the risk of you falling while in hospital. Please note the safety notices displayed. Further information regarding the avoidance of falls while in hospital can be found at the rear of the compendium.
Pressure Area Prevention
If you are immobilised for an extended length of time during your hospitalisation, nursing staff will undertake extra care as part of our pressure area prevention program. A patient education sheet, which you are encouraged to read, can be found at the rear of this compendium.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood Clots)
You may be at risk of blood clots forming in your legs or lungs, and your doctor will assess your risk and order treatment accordingly. An information sheet ‘Stop the Clot’ is located at the rear of the compendium.
Participation in Your Care
Nursing staff use a variety of tools to direct and record your care such as Clinical Pathways and Nursing Care Plans and, at times, will discuss your progress with you according to the pathway or plan. Please feel free to ask nursing staff to show you this documentation if you wish.
Pharmacy Service
Priceline Pharmacy (Shepparton Market Place) provides the pharmacy service to the hospital. Any medication required on discharge that is provided by the pharmacy service incurs a charge.
It is important to notify the hospital if you have a pension, concession or safety net card.
Health Related Information
A notice board in our rear corridor contains a variety of general health related information for patients and their visitors. Please take time to read it if you are able to move around the hospital.
DISCHARGE PLANNING
- Planning for your discharge commences prior to your arrival and continues throughout your stay to ensure we send you home well prepared.
- You will be provided with a Discharge Plan and both verbal and written instructions relevant to your care, on discharge. Nursing Staff are available to further assist you if required.
The following information will assist you to plan for your discharge from hospital. It is important that you and your family or carer are involved in this process as you will be more able to identify any problems that you may face at home during your recovery period.
- The time that patients spend in hospital is ever decreasing as it has been shown that the best place to recover is in the surroundings of your own home.
- Shorter hospital stays, however, mean that some patients go home before they are fully independent with their Activities of Daily Living, so planning for discharge allows you to think of ways to best assist this process.
- The nursing staff at Shepparton Private Hospital will make sure that all the issues which may affect your care after discharge are assessed before you leave the hospital. Your nurse, if necessary, can co-ordinate any support services that you may need on your return home
- Please remember that Community Services such as Meals on Wheels and Home Care may incur a cost. Some private health funds may pay for this type of care and you and/or your family should enquire as to what your fund is able to provide for you.
- Other services are Government funded and often restricted to people who meet set eligibility criteria.
- Some services may also have a waiting list or may not be available in your area.
- Please ask the Nurse Unit Manager regarding post discharge community services if you are unsure.
- You will be advised of any items you may need to hire or purchase for use at home by nursing or allied health staff prior to, or during admission. Nursing staff are happy to assist you in organising these items if needed. These items can be hired from our contracted pharmacy and can be delivered to the hospital directly.
Back to Your Stay at Shepparton Private Hospital