Patient Health & Safety

Infection Control

Miami Private Hospital has a comprehensive Infection Control Program in place. Our Hospital and staff are regularly audited for compliance with national infection prevention and control guidelines, Australian Standards for reprocessing of reusable instruments.

Quality Health Service Standards.

You and your relative or carer can actively participate in decreasing the incidence of infections by cleaning your hands with the alcoholic hand gel which is supplied in the reception area.

Your responsibility for infection control

It is essential that you indicate on your preadmission Patient Health Questionnaire in the relevant area if you have ever been infected with a multiresistant bacteria such as MRSA or viral-related episodes or have been in contact with another person with a communicable disease such as chickenpox, measles, or whooping cough in the past two (2) weeks. This is so that extra precautions can be taken to safeguard against the transmission of these diseases.

It is also important that you disclose to the admissions nurse if you have been hospitalised overnight in the last three (3) months.

Patient Identification

You will wear an identification band (generally on your wrist) to assist staff in correct patient identification. Staff will check these details with you several times

– at each stage of your episode of care

– over the course of your admission and surgery

These checks are in place to ensure that you receive the highest quality medical care and that all care is taken by our staff to ensure your safety during your stay with us.

It is important that you assist us with these steps to ensure your wellbeing.  We understand that this is can be a tedious process.

Blood Clots (Venous Thromboembolism)

Some patients are at a high risk of developing blood clots in their legs or lungs. To minimise this risk for you, the staff will ask you a series of questions.

If you are considered at risk of developing a blood clot, certain preventative measures will be undertaken such as the use of graduated compression stockings and medications after your procedure.

Skin Integrity

Please advise the admission nurse if you have any wounds, cuts or broken skin. We may need to ensure that a cover is placed on the area and extra care will be taken. It may be necessary to perform a skin integrity check upon admission.

Medications

Please tell us if you have any drug allergies or have experienced any adverse reactions to medications or anaesthetics in the past. The easiest way to prevent any medication errors is to obtain a current list from your doctor or pharmacist and bring the list to hospital with you.

You do not need to bring your medications with you to the Hospital unless you are on insulin or any other diabetic medication that needs to be taken at a specific time or if you are on any other medication that must be taken during your stay. It is not necessary for every patient to bring in all of their medications.

The Medical Practitioner or pre-admission nurse will ask you about your medications prior to your admission.

Allergies

We must be alerted if you have any allergies.  This includes any reaction to medication, foods, surgical tapes or dressings etc.

Deterioration in Health Status

Our patients, families and carers play an important role in providing information to the healthcare team. If at any stage during your hospital admission, you, your family or carer identify deterioration in your condition or have any concerns at all about your care, you are encouraged to call for assistance immediately.

Advance Health Directive

Advance Health Directive is the process of discussing and documenting your future health care choices.

An Advance Health Directive is a legal document that enables you to give instructions about your health care, if and when you are unable to make such decisions. In effect, an Advance Health Directive becomes your decision-maker, giving instructions at the time the decisions are required. An Advance Health Directive allows you to make specific directions about the care that you would want under certain circumstances.

Please advise staff if you have an Advance Health Directive or an Enduring Power of Attorney in place, and bring it with you so it can be copied and placed with your medical records.

Enduring Power of Attorney

An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables you to formally appoint another person(s), called an attorney, to make financial and/or personal (including health) decisions on your behalf.

TOP