What Do I Need To Do Before Coming To Hospital
Your surgeon will provide you with a green pre-admission form. Complete both sides of this form and any other forms your surgeon has asked you to complete. Post all these forms to QEH as soon as possible using our reply paid envelope.
This will enable our staff to register your details prior to your visit to QEH to minimize any delays on the day of your admission.
Pre-Operative Phone Call
One or two days prior to your operation you will receive a telephone call from our nursing staff.
The nurse will advise you of the following:
- Your arrival time
- Your fasting times for food and fluids.
- The length of time you can expect to be at QEH.
- Your post-operative care
The nurse will ask you about the following:
- Any previous illnesses and operations
- All your current medications
- Any allergies to foods or medicines
- Any special dietary restrictions
- The name of the person taking you home and staying with you the night of your operation.
This pre-operative telephone call is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about your admission to QEH and the post-operative care you will need. This call will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
If you have Diabetes, or are taking blood thinning medications, you will need to discuss the management of your medications with your surgeon and anaesthetist.
If we have difficulty reaching you for this pre-operative telephone call, please call us the afternoon before your operation to confirm you admission details.
Payment
QEH has contracts with most Health Funds. If you are a fully insured member of a Health Fund we will ask you to sign a Health Fund Claim Form which enables us to claim the hospital costs on your behalf.
If you have agreed to pay an excess or a co-payment or if your procedure is cosmetic, you will be asked to make this payment on the day of your admission.
Patients covererd by Basic, Public Hospital or restricted Benefits will also be asked to sign a Health Fund Claim Form and will be required to pay the threatre fee on admission.
You may pay by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS. We do not have the facilities for AMEX or Diners Club cards.
Illness Prior to Surgery
If you develop a red eye, cough, cold or any other illness prior to your surgery you should contact your surgeon and the staff at QEH as your surgery may need to be postponed and rebooked for a later date.
On The Day of Your Operation
Shower or bath at home. You may use deodorant.
Do not use:
- talcum powder
- face creams
- make-up
- perfumes or after shave
You may wear your wedding ring or other rings which are difficult to remove, but leave all other jewellery and valuables at home.
You will be changed into a hospital gown, so wear comfortable clothing that is easily removed. You are not required to remove your underwear. Our operating theatres are kept at a cool 22 degrees; therefore you may wish to bring socks and a singlet to wear into the operating theatre.
It is important to continue all your normal medication, including your eye drops.
Take all your normal medications with a sip of water regardless of your fasting times unless you have been instructed otherwise.
On Your Arrival At QEH
Park under the building and take the lift to the ground floor. Turn left and walk to reception.
Our reception staff will validate your parking ticket on admission to provide you with free parking.
You will be asked to sign a Health Fund Claim Form if you are a health fund member.
You will be asked to make any payments for your hospital fees.
Before Your Operation
One of our nursing staff will prepare you for your operation.
This check will include:
- Checking your personal details
- Checking your consent form
- Assisting you to change into a hospital gown
- Preparing your eye for the operation. This may include a series of eye drops.
The anaesthetist will ask you about:
- Your general health and current medication
- Any previous illnesses or operations
- Any allergies
You may be asked to sign a consent form for the anaesthetic.
Small self-adhesive monitor stickers may be attached to your chest and legs when you are being prepared for the operation. These allow the anaesthetist to monitor you during the operation. You have been asked not to use talcum power because this will prevent the monitor stickers from adhering to your skin. These adhesive stickers will be removed before you are discharged.
The Anaesthetist and Your Operation
When you are in the operating theatre you will see the nurse setting up the sterile equipment for your operation. You may be aware of noises from the equipment or voices of the staff during your operation.
Oxygen will be administered to you during the operation by some tubing near your face and nose. You will usually be given sedation which will make you feel more relaxed during the operation or you may be given a general anaesthetic.
Your doctor will be dressed in a "scrub suit", hat and mask and will look quite different.
After Your Operation
You will be transferred from theatre to the recovery unit on a trolley after your operation. The nurse will assist you from the trolley into a comfortable chair and you will be given some refreshments. This will depend on the type of anaesthetic you have had.
The nurse in charge of the recovery unit will assess you when you are ready for discharge. You will then change back into your street clothes and your post-operative care will be discussed with you and the person taking you home.
Discharge
You will be discharged into the care of an adult and will be given written post-operative instructions to take home.
This will include:
- Instructions for any new medications
- Pain relief after your operation
- Follow-up appointment details
- Emergency contact numbers
When You Go Home
Usually you will have an appointment with your surgeon on the day following your operation.
Allow yourself time to recovery and rest during the first 24 hours. You can resume normal eating and drinking on discharge.
Things to avoid during the first 24 hours:
- Driving until authorised by your surgeon
- Signing important documents
- Drinking alcohol and smoking
- Operating machinery
- Making important decisions
- Strenuous activity
- Looking after small children
Post-Operative Telephone Call
Three to five days following your operation you may receive a telephone call from one of our nursing staff to see how you are going with your post-operative care. Alternatively, this call may be done by your surgeon's consulting rooms.
While You Are Having Your Operation
Your family, friends or carer are welcome to wait at the Orbit Café coffee shop or in QEH reception, which has Foxtel television, a children's play area, daily newspapers and a variety of magazines to read.
Alternatively, they may wish to leave once you have been admitted and return when you are ready for discharge. Ensure staff at reception have their contact details. A second entry to the carpark will be validated by staff to allow free parking.
Orbit Café
The Orbit Café, located in the courtyard adjacent to QEH reception, provides a selection of light meals, snacks, coffee and cold drinks with comfortable shaded outdoor seating.
Pharmacy
There is no pharmacy located within the QEH building at Little Edward Street.
Brands Pharmacy is situated at 448 Boundary Street and is approximately 500 metres from QEH.
Outpatient Procedures
You may have been given an appointment for an outpatient procedure.
At Queensland Eye Hospital we have facilities for:
- Yag laser
- Argon laser
- IOL master
You do not need to fast for these procedures. You will be given instructions by your doctor. You will not receive a pre-operative telephone call. Free parking is available to all patients on the day you attend Queensland Eye Hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
A list of frequently asked questions and their answers is also available.
