In order to achieve the best possible outcome from your journey with us, please adhere to the following guidance.
Medications
For your safety, our clinical team needs to know about all medication that you are currently taking. This includes prescribed and over the counter (not prescribed) medication and on the day of your hospital admission, please bring all your medications with you - this includes the packaging.
You may receive written advice regarding medications at your pre-operative assessment, please ensure you follow any direct requests you may have received from our clinical team.
If you are on blood thinning medication like Warfarin, you may need to stop taking this for a short period before your procedure. If this applies to you, please contact your GP prior to your appointment.
**Please note - if you have any questions about stopping any of your medication, please contact you GP for advice**
Before You Come In
Please follow all pre-operative fasting instructions provided in your admission letter prior to coming in as failure to follow these will result in your surgery being cancelled.
- If you drink alcohol, refrain from doing so for 24 - 48 hours before your admission. If you need further advice or help with this, please discuss with your GP
- If you smoke, it is strongly advised that you stop smoking as soon as you have a surgery date. Advice to help you stop smoking is available on request. Please be aware, there is a strict Smoke-Free policy in Kingsbridge Private Hospital and its grounds (e-cigarettes and vaping are also prohibited)
- Please ensure that you have let us know about medications that you take, and that you have followed the advice of your Consultants or GP, especially if you are taking blood thinning medication or are on oral contraception
- If you require support from a family or friends to get home from the hospital following your discharge, please organise this before you come into the hospital
- You may need support at home in the days following your discharge. Please organise this in advance of coming into hospital, especially if you live alone
- Let us know if you require specialist services and/or equipment (including an interpreter)
For Your Safety
The following items must be removed before surgery:
- All types of jewellery including rings from fingers and toes
- Contact lenses
- Make-up
- Nail polish/gel nails
- All piercings including body piercings
- Chains/necklaces
- All hair extensions g. “micro-loop” (metal bead) hair extensions
- Watches
- Bracelets
- Spacers
- Bangles
- Religious/sacred medals
It is important to follow the above instructions regarding the removal of jewellery, make-up and hair extensions. This is for your safety as removing these items prevents burns, choking or other injuries to yourself and to staff. Failure to remove items listed above may result in your surgery being cancelled.
Infection Prevention and Control
Handwashing is the single most important action you can take in the prevention and control of infection in hospitals and in the community.
Please ensure that you and anyone accompanying you, including visitors are completing regular handwashing. Please avail of the handwashing facilities which are located in each ward area and patient bedroom. Alcohol hand sanitisers are also provided throughout the hospital, inside and outside of each patient bedroom. Please ensure that hands are washed before entering and leaving ward areas and patient bedrooms.
To help reduce the risk of post-operative infection, it is important that you have a shower or bath on the morning of your operation. It is important that the area to be operated on is clean and the skin intact.
Do not use body lotions, perfume, aftershave, make-up, false tan, deodorant, or talc on your body before you come to hospital and please refrain from shaving the area which is to be operated on.
Patients undergoing surgery may be asked to attend for infection screening (e.g. MRSA screening) prior to admission, this is for your safety and further information will be provided as required.
Please follow the infection prevention guidance provided to you in relation to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. For up-to-date information on our Covid-19 guidance for patients and visitors, please click here.
Please Contact Us As Soon As Possible If:
- You have been given a course of antibiotics for any reason in the four weeks prior to admission
- You are experiencing any of the following symptoms in the three days leading up to your admission
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Cough
- Cold/Flu like symptoms
- Or you are generally feeling unwell
- You think you have have been exposed to an infection prior to admission (e.g. Chickenpox)
Things You Can Do To Help:
- Adhere to handwashing guidance
- bring moist hand wipes (for handwashing if you are unable to get up to use the wash basin)
- Always wash your hands before and after meals and after using the toilet
- keep your room free from clutter to allow our domestic staff to clean your room properly
- wear something on your feet when walking around the hospital
- Follow guidance from Nursing Staff regarding visiting
- Visitors MUST NOT attend if they are feeling unwell and/or experiencing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, cold/flu like symptoms or generally feeling unwell