• Admission & Discharge Information
• Catering Services
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Mail Service
• Patient Accounts
• Pastoral Care
• Patient Comments
• Personal Belongings
• Lost property
• Special Needs
• Telephones / Mobile Phones

Please note that failure to accept or attend any arranged appointment in Cappagh may necessitate removal from our Waiting List, as this deprives another patient of the opportunity of attending in your place and causes great inconvenience to hospital staff.  It will therefore be necessary for your GP to re-refer you to a Consultant again.

Admission & Discharge Information

Your visit to the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC)

Some of our patients are required to attend our Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC) approximately two to eight weeks prior to major surgery in order that they are passed fit for procedure. This is carried out on an out-patient basis.

If you need to attend PAC, you will receive the following:

1. A Medical Questionnaire relating to your past and current medical history which must be returned to PAC as this will speed up progressing you to surgery.
2. A Consent Form allowing us to request medical information from other hospitals you may have attended in the past. This must also be returned to PAC.
3. A leaflet on Telephone Triage, a facility which allows patients to be assessed at home.
4. On receipt of the completed Medical Questionnaire, a nurse will telephone you to go over the information you have supplied and clarify any areas that are uncertain.
5. Following this phone call, you will be sent a date for attendance at our PAC Clinic, if required.
 

What to bring to your Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic appointment:

• Completed Medical Questionnaire (if not already returned by post)
• Blood pressure recorded by your GP
• All of your medication in their correct containers
• A Certificate of Dental Fitness (if not already submitted by post)
• The name, address and telephone number of two contact persons
• Your reading glasses if you require them
• A copy of any relevant MRI Scans or X-Rays, which you may have to request from the hospital which referred you to Cappagh

Notification of Admission for surgery

We will give you notice of your admission by letter, approximately three weeks before you are due to be admitted. When you receive the admission date, you must phone the Admissions Department no later than two weeks prior to your date of admission to confirm you will be attending as allocated.

Please phone the Admissions Department on 01-8140414 or 01-8140452 after 12 Noon and leave a message stating your Name, Telephone Number, Patient Number, and Date of Admission indicating if you will or will not be attending on the allocated date.

A member of staff will only contact you back if you indicate you will not be attending. Failure to confirm your appointment will result in you being removed from the waiting list.

Preparation for your visit

• If you develop a cold, flu, sore throat or cold sore prior to admission, please contact the Admissions Department on 01-8140414 or 01-8140452 as early as possible.
• If you are diabetic and on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs, please do not take your hypoglycaemic medication on the morning of surgery until reviewed on the ward by the medical staff. Please bring your Insulin with you.
• If you are having a General Anaesthetic DO NOT EAT or DRINK anything, even water, after 12 midnight – do have a late supper prior to 10pm the night before admission.
• Shower/bath the evening before your admission and remove nail varnish, ALL make up and any body piercings.

If you are taking any of the following drugs:

Warfarin, Plavix, Nu-Seal Aspirin, HRT, Oral Contraceptive Pill, Methotrexate, Arava, Kineret, Humera, Remicade

and have attended the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC), please consult the Information Sheet given to you at the clinic.

If you are taking any of the above drugs and have not attended the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC), please contact the Hospital at 01-8140400 and ask to speak to the Medical Registrar for advice regarding medicine management.

• Do not discontinue your medication without consulting your Information Sheet given to you at PAC and/or consulting the Medical Registrar.
• Please take all other prescribed medications at the times prescribed for you.
• If you are having major joint or spinal surgery, please see your Dentist for clearance of any dental problems and forward a Dental Certificate to the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic. This is to reduce your risk of infection. Major joint or bone surgery will be cancelled if you have dental problems.
• If you are, or suspect you may be pregnant, please inform the Admissions Department as your surgery will have to be deferred.
• Advice for Patients staying overnight (In Patients) and Day Case Patients
• In order to make your stay here as comfortable as possible, please note the following information:
• If you are asked to fast for a procedure, this means that you must not take any food or liquids, INCLUDING WATER, starting at 12 midnight on the day you will be entering the hospital unless directed by your consultant.

Medicines

It is the policy of the hospital to use patient’s own drugs during your hospital stay. This is done to improve the safety and quality of your care in hospital. It ensures that:

• All your drugs are immediately available and no break in treatment occurs
• A complete and accurate drug history can be obtained
• The drugs you are taking in hospital are the same as always and they will look familiar to you and no change in effectiveness is seen
• Drug errors can be reduced through reduced number of transactions
• Any drugs that have been stopped for medical reasons can be disposed of, with your permission, to avoid accidental use.

There is a locked press fitted beside your bed for the storage of your own medication. Your drugs will not be used for any other patient and they will be returned to you on the day you are being discharged.

You should bring one month’s supply of all your current medicines with you, even over-the-counter, herbal or alternative medicine products, exactly as they have been supplied to you by your local pharmacy. Do not put them into any other form of packaging.

Admission Checklist

On Admission you will need:

• One month’s supply of prescribed medications in their original labelled containers
• A copy of any relevant MRI Scans or X-Rays, which you may have to request from the hospital which referred you to Cappagh
• Night Clothes
• Mid Calf Length dressing gown
• Rubber soled or flat footwear
• Personal toiletries
• Hand and bath towels
• Walking aids/stick
• Ladies – tracksuit or loose fitting skirt/shorts
• Gentlemen – tracksuit or loose fitting trousers/shorts.
• Anything else you use on a daily basis – e.g. glasses or hearing aid.
• Book or magazines
• Medical Card if you have one
• Details of your Private Health Insurance, if any – VHI/Quinn/etc.
• If your treatment is as a result of Road Traffic Accident, please bring your Solicitors details with you.
• Please shower/bath prior to admission, remove nail varnish and all jewellery/body piercings.
• Details of next of kin and a second contact telephone number
• Please note that on admission to the hospital you will be advised of your discharge date; this will allow you to make arrangements for your discharge.
• Do not bring in valuables and non essential items such as jewellery, large sums of money, pension or savings books. Please leave personal items at home as we cannot take responsibility for damaged, lost or stolen items.

When you arrive at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital

• Please check in at the Admissions Office at the exact time stated on your admission letter.
• You will be asked to confirm details such as your name, your address, telephone number, next of kin, religion and family doctor (GP)
• In-Patient and Day Case patients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian who will be requested to sign the consent form.
• Your permission will be sought to allow the Hospital Charitable Trust to forward details of Fundraising Events or Activities to you. This is voluntary and should you not wish to do so, it will in no way affect your care in the Hospital.
• You will then be admitted to your assigned ward.

What happens when I am being discharged?

• Prior to admission, you should plan appropriate arrangements with relatives and friends for support following your discharge from Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital to your home after your operation.
• Your G.P. and local Health Centre will be able to assist you in arranging suitable home help if this is necessary. Please contact them before your admission to Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital.
• If a follow-up Outpatient Appointment is required, it should be sent to you within 3 weeks. If not received, please contact the Medical Records Department on 01-8140432.
• Patients are expected to leave the hospital by 11am on day of discharge.
• Ensure you have the following:

Discharge Checklist

• Have you got transport to your home?
• If you have a wound, what care is needed?
• Have you stitches that need to be removed?
• If you are already receiving care or services at home, does the service provider know you have been discharged?
• If there are any problems when discharged, whom do you contact?
• Has your own medication been returned to you?
• Have you got a prescription for any new medication? Do you know what your medication is for, how often and for how long you should take it for? Have you someone who can get the medication for you?
• Have you got all your belongings?
• Have you got a letter for your doctor?
• Do you need an outpatient appointment or follow-up care?
• When can you return to work and normal activities?
• Do you need a medical certificate for your employer?

On Discharge from the Day Ward

• If your discharge is from the Day Ward, it is mandatory that you are accompanied home by a responsible adult and remain in the company of a responsible adult for 24 hours after your procedure.
• You must not operate machinery (such as cars, bicycles or power tools) or make important decisions for at least 24 hours after.
• Alcohol (even beer) is prohibited for 24 hours after anaesthesia or sedation.
• You may resume a normal diet – start with clear fluids until your stomach has settled.
• Outpatients Department
• Following discharge, patients are reviewed in the Outpatient Department in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital or in their original referring Hospital.
• If you do not receive notice of your appointment within 3 weeks, please contact the Medical Records Department on 01 8140 432 or 01 8140 372.

If you cannot attend for your appointment, please ring 01 8140401 or 01 8140408 as soon as possible to cancel the appointment and reschedule. This allows us to reallocate your slot to another patient.
 

Catering Services
 

Restaurant Opening Hours

Monday to Friday inclusive:

• Breakfast:          7.30am to 11.15am
• Lunch:               12.00pm to 2.30pm
• Afternoon Tea:   2.30pm to 3.00pm

Newspapers can be purchased in the restaurant.

There is a 24 hour Vending Room beside the Restaurant with a selection of hot and cold foods, hot beverages, soft drinks and confectionery available.

The Catering Department strives to promote healthy eating whilst also taking into account high-energy foods for patients requiring specific supplements and those with eating difficulties.

You will be provided with a choice of options daily in line with those available in our Restaurant. Fresh fruit, low fat spreads and milk alternatives are also available.

We welcome your comments in relation to your meals and a Catering Manager will visit you regularly during your hospital stay.

Infection Prevention and Control

To prevent infection, all our patients are screened for MRSA prior to surgery. This will be done at the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC). Many members of the public carry MRSA on their skin. If it is detected on screening, it can be eliminated very easily and will not interfere with you having your surgery. If you are not required to attend the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic, please contact our Infection Prevention and Control Nurse on 01-8140400 and an MRSA screen will be organised for you. This needs to be completed at least 3 weeks before your surgery date.

• Please have any skin problems or infected areas treated prior to admission.
• Clean hands prevent infection.
• Please use the alcohol gels provided throughout the hospital and at the end of your bed.
• Do not be afraid to ask our staff if their hands are clean.
• Never touch your own wound dressing, drain or intravenous line.
• Do not let staff touch these without first cleaning their hands.
• Clean your hands before eating, after using the toilet or bedpan and after touching other patients and their equipment or visitors.

Please contact our Infection Prevention and Control Nurse:

• If you have been an In-Patient in another hospital or nursing home in the past 12 months
• If you have been in contact with anyone with MRSA
• If you have any concerns regarding infection

During your stay, if you have any concerns regarding hygiene or if you notice anything that needs attention, please inform a member of staff.

Mail Service

There are facilities for the postage and delivery of mail while in the Hospital. A mailbox is located in the Reception Area for out going mail.
 

Patient Accounts

Medical Card/Private Health Insurance

If you have a Medical Card, please bring it with you. If you have Private Health Insurance please bring details with you.

Compulsory In-Patient charge for non Medical Card holders

Under the Health Regulations set down by the Minister for Health and Children, there is a compulsory In-Patient charge, up to a maximum stay of 10 days, in any consecutive 12 months, for patients who do not have a Medical Card. (Applicable to In-Patients and Day Cases) If this compulsory charge has been paid in full, or in part, to any other hospital within the previous 12 months, please bring evidence of payment – receipt etc. Payment is acceptable by cheque, cash or by credit card.

Insurance Forms & Medical Certs

Please ensure that all relevant Insurance Forms are completed prior to discharge. If you intend to claim Social Welfare Benefit while in hospital, please bring your PPS number with you. The attending Doctor will issue a Medical Certificate on request.

Road Traffic Accident Charge

Patients being treated as a result of a Road Traffic Accident are asked to bring their Solicitor details with them. Road Traffic Accident patients are subject to a Road Traffic Accident charge. The account will be forwarded to your Solicitor for inclusion in your claim and is not payable until the claim is settled. The patient remains liable for this account when settlement is reached in the absence of payment from the Solicitor. The compulsory In-Patient charge is payable immediately on receipt of an Invoice from the Hospital.

If you have any queries regarding your account, please contact the Patient Accounts Department and they will assist you. (Phone: 01-8140 497 / 01-8140 466)
 

Pastoral Care

The Hospital Oratory is located near the Main Reception Area.  Holy Communion is distributed weekly. There are no Chaplains on site; however, arrangements can be made on request for Chaplains to visit at the hospital.
 

Patient Comments

We hope your stay in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital will be as comfortable as possible. Hospital staff are always pleased to hear any comments or suggestions for improvements which can be made, so please do not hesitate to let us know. We welcome comments or suggestions that may help maintain or improve our standards and future patient care.

Comment Cards are available on all wards.
 

Personal Belongings

The Hospital Management does not accept responsibility for the loss of any personal items, including but not limited to, jewellery, clothing, cash, cars parked on the grounds, or other personal articles brought in from outside. Patients are encouraged to send personal property including valuables, jewellery, and important documents home with relatives. Only retain small amounts of money (just enough for day-to-day use).
 

Lost Property

Enquiries to Main Hospital Reception regarding any lost property.
 

Special Needs

We aim to meet the needs of people with Special Needs/Disabilities. To help us do this, please notify Nursing Administration in advance of any requirements needed to assist you during your stay in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital.
 

Telephones / Mobile Phones

Telephones

Patients and visitors have bedside access to public payphones on all wards. The phones in the Reception Area take call card and credit cards.
 

A cordless phone is available at ward level for patients on bed rest, to be used for short phone calls only.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones emit signals which can interfere with medical equipment and so may cause harm to other patients. Mobile phones may therefore only be used with the permission of ward staff.