Patient Information
Going Home
Before you come to hospital, it is a good idea to consider how you will handle your daily living activities on your return home. Depending on the type of procedure you have had and your recovery time, you may need assistance with meal preparation, shopping, follow-up medical appointments and personal care. Click on the links below to find our more about what to expect when you are discharged from Macquarie University Hospital.
Should you have questions, call (02) 9812 3000 and ask to be transferred to the ward in which you stayed. Alternatively please contact your medical specialist or your GP should you have questions or concerns.
Discharge from the Hospital
Once your doctor has approved your discharge, we will commence planning for your return home. If you are a day-stay patient, you will rest in the recovery area until your doctor or nurse sees you and approves your discharge. You must have someone to escort you home.
If you are an inpatient, discharge time is usually 9am. Please arrange to be picked up at this time. If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation, please ensure you have a responsible adult accompanying you home as you will not be allowed to drive. It is also highly recommended that you have someone to stay with you overnight.
It is advisable that in the first 24 hours after surgery you do not:- Drive a motor vehicle after having a general anaesthetic or pain procedure
- Use any machinery or tools
- Make important decisions (eg. sign legal documents)
- Drink alcohol
- Do anything that requires a high level of alertness or coordination.
Pain
In the first 24 hours you should expect to have some discomfort. As a result of the anaesthetic, you may also suffer from a sore throat, headache and general aches and pains. Take pain relief as recommended by your doctor.
Following anaesthetics, some people can experience nausea, which may progress to vomiting. If this happens, take small frequent sips of water. If the problem does not resolve itself, contact your doctor.
If you have excessive pain, swelling or headaches or are generally concerned about your condition, please contact your doctor.
Settling Your Account
If sufficient payment was not received on admission or additional services were provided, you will be issued with an account. Before you leave hospital, an admission staff member will meet with you to settle this outstanding bill. They will come to your room, or ask you to call into the admissions department. If you are a day patient, this would have been settled before your procedure.