Before your stay in hospital
Pre-admission clinic
Crest Hospital runs a Pre-Admission Clinic (PAC) which may be the first step in your hospital admission for surgery.
Should Crest Hospital require you to attend a Pre-Admission Clinic we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your appointment. Our aim is to ensure that you are well prepared for hospital admission, surgery and managing at home after discharge. The appointment may take up to an hour. You are welcome to bring a support person with you.
During the clinic:
- Your clinic nurse will go over the forms and endeavour to answer any questions you may have.
- Your clinic nurse will have a discussion with you about your surgery, what to expect while you are in hospital and what to expect when you are discharged. This will include equipment you may need after discharge.
- An ECG (a heart recording) may also be taken, along with a Blood Pressure reading.
- If an Anaesthetist has asked to see you, this will be arranged.
- If you think you will need assistance at home after surgery, please indicate this to your PAC Nurse, who will advise the ward staff so arrangements can be made prior to discharge.
The staff at the pre-admission clinic look forward to meeting you.
Do you need a pre-admission
appointment?
This appointment is not to be confused with the day of your surgery. Not all patients require a pre-admission appointment, but if you feel you would like to attend one and have not been contacted, please phone Crest Hospital on (06) 953 2480 or email to request a nurse to contact you.
In addition, if you think your child would benefit from a visit to us before their surgery, please make contact with us.
Important Reminders
- Ensure your Admission/Consent form is delivered or emailed to Crest Hospital – 21 Carroll Street, Palmerston North at least seven working days before your admission date. Please be aware standard postal services can be very slow and should not be used if your admission date is within two weeks of receiving your admission forms from your surgeon
- Ensure your insurance or ACC approval is confirmed and a copy of the approval letter is emailed or delivered to the hospital before your admission date
- You will be instructed not to eat or drink for a specific time before your operation (this includes chewing gum/mints etc). For your safety, it is important that this is adhered to. Please enquire about the feeding of young children
- It is beneficial that you do not smoke before your operation. Crest Hospital is a Smoke-Free Zone (Patients to please enquire from Nursing Staff about designated smoking areas)
- Please arrive at the hospital at the time stated on your Admission Form. We welcome a support person to be with you during admission.
- Please advise Crest Hospital of any additional cultural, spiritual, or emotional support that you may require
- Please arrange for someone to pick you up and stay with you for 24 hours after your discharge
Consent form
You will be asked to sign a consent form before your operation. Please ensure you understand the information you have been given before you sign the form (A parent or legal guardian will be asked to sign on behalf of a child).
What to bring
- All medications you are currently taking… inhalers, injections, all prescription and non-prescription medications in their original containers. (This includes herbal or complementary remedies)
- Your Community Service Card or High User Card in case you are given a prescription to have filled on your way home from the hospital
- Overnight requirements such as personal toiletries including soap, shampoo, nightwear, dressing gown and slippers. Any special equipment that you use for daily living e.g. walking frame, walking stick, crutches, helping hands, drainage bags, glasses, hearing aids etc...
- If you expect to stay in the hospital for more than one night, bring comfortable day wear to wear during the day. We encourage patients to rise and dress for the day, as they would at home.
- If your operation is below the knee or above the mid-chest you may be able to wear your own clean 100% cotton underwear (with your operating gown).
- Reading material or light craft work to do while you await surgery.
- Children may bring a favourite toy or book.
Please do not bring valuables with you to the hospital.
Insurance – Are you covered?
Southern Cross Members
If your procedure is covered by a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider Contract, the hospital administration staff will apply to Southern Cross on your behalf for your insurance approval. Your surgeon will tell you if this applies to you.
If your procedure is NOT covered under the above contract you will need to contact Southern Cross Health Insurance yourself to arrange Prior Approval for your surgery. It is important that you do this as soon as you are aware surgery will occur. Once approved, you must either email or deliver a copy of your approval letter to the hospital at least seven working days prior to your admission date. Without an approval letter held on file at the hospital your admission is considered to be not covered by insurance and will require a 90% deposit to be paid at least three days prior to your admission date.
Other Insurance Companies
Please contact your health insurer to arrange Prior Approval for your surgery. It is important that you do this as soon as you are aware surgery will occur. Once approved, you must either email or deliver a copy of your approval letter to the hospital at least seven working days prior to your admission date. Without an approval letter held on file at the hospital, your admission is considered to be not covered by insurance and will require a 90% deposit to be paid at least three days prior to your admission date.
Patients Covered by ACC or other public funding
Patients whose surgery is funded by ACC or other public funding may be placed in a double/shared room. If you would like to request a single room please telephone the Ward Team Leader prior to your admission date to check whether this may possibly be arranged for you. ACC or other public funding will not pay for this and you will be charged.
