Depending on your procedure you will be admitted to the Mater as a day patient or as a patient staying one or more nights.
Your doctor will have made a booking on your behalf and will have provided you with the following:
- Admission form
- Consent form
- Pre-procedure questionnaire
- Information for patients requiring prosthesis.
To ensure that we can provide the best possible service to you and avoid delays, please return all completed forms to us at least 48 hours prior to admission. Forms can be returned:
- By hand to our customer services team on the ground floor
- By post to Mater Hospital, PO Box 958, North Sydney NSW 2059
- By Fax to (02) 9900 7573 or (02) 9900 7395.
For enquires about the cost of your stay contact Customer Service on
(02) 9900 7397 or (02) 9900 7386.
Admission time
Our Pre-admission Clinic will call you the business day prior to your admission to confirm your admission time and to explain any clinical preparation.
If you have not received a call or will be difficult to contact, please call (02) 9900 7494 after 2pm the business day prior to your admission.
The customer services team may contact you the business day prior to your admission to explain any out of pocket expenses associated with your admission. We ask that you finalise these expenses on admission.
Help prevent infection
Some patients have a higher risk of infection due to their underlying condition or pre-existing infections. Clinical staff will take every measure to minimise the risk of infection developing or spreading. The Mater is committed to providing high quality care in a safe and clean environment.
Reduce your risk before admission:
- Quit smoking Try to quit or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke, as smoking can slow down the healing process.
- Weight loss People who are over weight have an increased risk of infection. Eating a balanced, healthy diet and exercise may help you reduce your weight before surgery.
- If you do develop an infection before admission, including skin, dental, respiratory, bladder and bowel infections, see your local doctor for a review as they may need to speak to your surgeon.
- Diabetes If you have diabetes, you and your doctor should aim for careful control of your blood sugar levels before and during your admission.
- Complete your health history As some circumstances may require additional precautions or pre-admission screening, for example history of MRSA or planned joint replacement. This just helps us to plan your care during your stay.
Surgical patients
Many patients come into hospital on the day of their surgery. These patients should shower beforehand - we recommend using an antiseptic/antimicrobial wash. If you are attending the Pre-Admission Clinic you will be given a wash and surgical sponge to shower with the evening before your admission.
If you are not attending the Pre-Admission Clinic, you can purchase the wash from your local pharmacist some examples include Avagard as well as hand and body wash with tricolsan 1 percent (Phisohex wash or similar).
Please make sure that you wear clean clothing after your shower/wash. Do not use a razor to remove body hair before your admission, as superficial grazes may be infected. If it does need to be removed, it will be clipped just prior to your surgery.
