Description of Service

The Day Procedure Area provides and maintains a safe and caring environment in which patients can receive quality care. It focuses on providing this care within a short time frame to minimise the disruption caused to patient’s lives and to maximise efficient use of the community’s health resources. This philosophy is supported by the provision of a Day Ward for medical and surgical patients, and an Endoscopy Unit.

Services Provided

The two main services provided in DPA are:

• Endoscopy procedures
• Day surgery procedures

Endoscopy

We specialise in the diagnosis, investigation and management of gastrointestinal diseases, including gastroscopy, colonoscopy and removal of polyps, dilatation of oesophageal strictures and sigmoidoscopy.

What is an Endoscopy?

An endoscopy is the inspection of the cavities in the body with an endoscope.

What is a Gastroscopy?

A gastroscopy is an endoscopic procedure that enables the inspection of the lining of the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that enables the inspection of the lining of the large intestine - colon.

What is a Bronchoscopy?

A bronchoscopy is an endoscopic procedure in which a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose (or mouth) to enable a view of the tracheobronchial tree and to collect bronchial and/or lung secretions or to biopsy for tissue specimens.

Capsule Endoscopy ( PillCam™ )

The PillCam ™ capsule is disposable and is about the size of a large vitamin pill. It is swallowed and travels through the gastro intestinal tract in the normal way, transmitting colour video images to the recorder via an array of sensors affixed to the patients’ abdomen.

The 8-hour examination can be conducted while a patient continues normal daily activities. 

PillCam™ Capsule Endoscopy closes the diagnostic gap by enabling physicians to directly view the entire small intestine. This can assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Day Surgery

The type of elective patients admitted to Day Procedure Area for either medical or surgical procedures include:

• General surgery
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Urology surgery
• Gynaecological surgery
• Liver and lung biopsies
• Transfusions
• Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) 

Information for Relatives and Visitors

Admission procedure

Day Surgery patients should go to the Admissions/Bookings office located on the Ground Floor. You will then be escorted to the Day Procedure Area.

Endoscopy patients should go directly to the Day Procedure Area located on the first floor.

Due to a limited amount of space we request that only one person accompany you to the unit, except in the case of children, where both parents may accompany the child having the procedure.

Fasting Instructions

For your safety during your anaesthetic you must not have anything to eat (includes chewing gum) or drink after the specified time, otherwise the surgery/procedure may have to be cancelled. Medicines that are due should be given with your last drink, please refer to the patient information book for more detailed instructions regarding medications. Please fast as arranged.

What To Bring With You

• Medicare card
• Pension card/Health care card
• Your admission letter
• Private health insurance details (if applicable)
• All current medications
• List of allergies
• Dressing gown, if you are having a colonoscopy
• Loose comfortable clothing
• No makeup, nail polish or jewellery
• Relevant X-Rays

Discharge Home

Verbal and written instructions will be given regarding care at home. A follow-up appointment will be organized at time of discharge.

We may contact you the day after the procedure regarding your progress. Your feedback at this time will also give us an opportunity to discuss ways to improve our services.

If you have any problems such as excessive pain and/or vomiting please see your local doctor or come back to the emergency department.

Instructions For Patients Who Have Received Local Anaesthetic Blocks

In the course of your anaesthetic you may have received local anaesthetic. If you have an area of numbness, particularly of your limbs (you may have received an arm block for surgery on your arm) do not attempt to use the limb until there is full return of feeling and movement. Protect the numb area from situations where a burn, bruise or cut may result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why Can't I Have Anything To Eat Or Drink Before The Operation?

A. One of the causes of complications during an anaesthetic is vomit entering the lungs. The average time for most stomachs to empty of water is three hours but it takes six hours for food to move out of the stomach. In an emergency we can adopt a different technique. For patients having a gastroscopy an empty stomach reduces risk and also allows a good view of the stomach.

Q. How Will I Feel After The Procedure/Surgery?

A. You may feel slightly drowsy after the procedure.
An Adult Must Accompany You Home And Stay With You Overnight.

For the next 24 hours a small amount of anaesthetic may remain in your body, therefore you must not:

• Drive a vehicle
• Operate Machinery
• Drink Alcohol
• Take sedatives unless prescribed
• Sign any important legal documents during this period.

Q. Can I Drive After The Operation/Procedure?

A. No, you cannot drive for 24 hours after having a general anaesthetic or sedation. You can drive only after having a local anaesthetic.

Q. How Long Will I Be In Hospital?

A. For Day Surgery patients:

You will be in hospital for approximately 4 – 8 hours.

You will be admitted at either 7.00 am for morning surgery or 11.00 am for afternoon surgery, unless stated on your admission letter. Waiting time may be up to 1 to 5 hours before your procedure/operation. This depends on priorities in the operating rooms. It is anticipated that you will be able to go home 1 to 6 hours after returning to the ward, depending on the type of procedure/operation you have had.

A. For Endoscopy patients:

You will be in hospital for approximately 2 - 4 hours.

You will be admitted at either 8.00 am for morning endoscopy or 1.00 pm for afternoon endoscopy, unless otherwise stated on your admission letter.

Waiting time may be up to 1 to 3 hours before your endoscopy. This depends on priorities in the procedure room.
It is anticipated that you will be able to go home 1 to 2 hours after your endoscopy.

What’s New

The Day Procedure Area uses state of the art equipment in the Procedure Room. We are grateful for the support of community donations, which have funded the purchase of new Endoscopy equipment in 2006.

The patient monitoring equipment has also been upgraded in 2006 to aid in the assessment of the recovering patient.

Our systems and procedures are continually reviewed to ensure we provide the high quality health services that are responsive to the needs of our community.

Links

Medical Staff Listings

Patient Information Booklet for Endoscopy Patients