Introduction of comprehensive surgical pre-admission clinic at SCGH

14/8/97

Daily demand for hospital beds at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital is expected to be minimised through the introduction of the State's most comprehensive surgical pre-admission clinic.

"The pre-admission clinic has been trialed at SCGH for the past 18 months for general surgical patients and has recently been extended to include all booked surgical admissions," Health Minister Kevin Prince said.

"The trial, combined with other initiatives, has resulted in a four per cent reduction in the average number of days patients stay in hospital.

"Currently, one-third of the hospital's elective surgery patients are admitted to hospital on the day of surgery and that figure is expected to more than double to 85 per cent in the next 12 months.

"This new clinic will greatly reduce the need for patients to stay in hospital on the night before their surgery.

"It is more comfortable for the patients and it will ease the demand for hospital beds on a daily basis."

Mr Prince said the introduction of the clinic and a day surgery admission area would result in up to 40 patients a day having surgery without tying up much sought after hospital beds.

Patients would present at the clinic the day before surgery, provide personal information to staff and receive information on their operation and post-operative care plan.

"It will also provide more time for doctors, nurses and allied health staff to work with the patient on their care plan and help resolve as soon as possible, any problems that inevitably will arise as a result of surgery and recovery," he said.

"Pre-operative procedures such as blood tests, ECGs and X-rays are performed at the clinic and follow-up care can be discussed and support services arranged in advance which will greatly assist patients' recovery."

Mr Prince said the day surgery admission service would ensure less stressful and time consuming admissions.

"Patients will be admitted for day surgery at the service, information collected during their earlier visit to the pre-admission clinic will be easily accessed on computer and patients should find the system more convenient and relaxing," he said.

The Minister, who officially opened the new facilities today, said the clinic and day surgery area were introduced to lessen any stress patients might experience during the pre and post operative period.

"Special arrangements can be made for country patients if they prefer to minimise their visits to Perth by attending the clinic the day before their surgery and they can then stay overnight with relatives or in hostel-type accommodation at the hospital overnight," he said.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 922 11377