Pre-admission procedures

  • Visit the pre-admission centre at the hospital where procedure will take place.
  • You need your medical aid card and ID document.
  • You will be assisted by the pre-admission patient administrator to complete the necessary admission documents.
  • If you are a member of a medical aid, you need prior authorisation from your medical aid for the admission of the procedure. If you do not get a pre-authorisation prior to admission you will be liable for any shortfalls or penalties on specialist bill.
  • You will receive an Authorisation form from our practice with all the necessary information.
  • Your medical aid will need the following:

- Written medical diagnosis

- ICD 10 code – diagnostic code

- Procedure codes with a description of the surgical procedure that will be performed

- Practice numbers of the Specialist and hospital.

Medical Aid member’s important information

As a member of a Medical Aid scheme it is important to remember that it is your responsibility to ensure the following:

  • You are aware of your benefits, co-payments, limits, exclusions and waiting periods.
  • You understand which items and procedures will not be covered by your medical scheme.
  • You are familiar with the amount available in your savings benefit.
  • You know of any preferred or designated service provider agreements and how it will affect the cover provided by your medical scheme if you choose to use the services of non-designated service providers.
  • You are a valid member and premiums are up to date.

We strongly advice that you familiarise yourself with the rules of your medical aid when obtaining pre-authorisation for your admission to hospital. Please confirm with your medical aid whether any levies, co-payments or exclusions may apply, and whether there are any aspects of your treatment for which you personally will be liable for payment.

The specialist account will be sent directly to your medical aid for payment. You, as the member, however, remain responsible for the account, especially in cases where medical schemes fail to pay the account or only partially settle the account. PLEASE Note: We charge above Medical Aid Rates, unless we have an agreement with the Medical Aid.

Your cooperation in terms of obtaining authorisation and clarifying co-payment terms will ensure a quicker and more efficient admission process.

Pre-Operative Checklist

How you prepare for your stay in hospital will depend on the treatment or operation you require as well as on you as a unique individual. The following guidelines will assist you in preparing for your hospital stay and what to expect during your stay and treatment.

Abstain from drinking alcohol 24hours prior to admission.

Cut down or give up smoking as much as possible, especially in the case of general anaesthetic.

No solids within 6 hours of your scheduled operation time and no, liquids within 4 hours.

Stop any herbal or traditional medicine 10-14 days prior to surgery( Include but not limited to Arnica, Feverfew, Ginkgo, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Meadowsweet, Danshen, Devil’s Claw, Papaya, St. John’s Wort, Tamarind, Dongquai and Pulmonaria mollissima)

If you are on chronic medication, check with your specialist in advance whether or not you should take the medication on the day of the surgery.

If you are on Blood thinners (Warfarin, Ecotrin, Disprin), you should ask your specialist how many days before the scheduled surgery you should refrain from taking it or whether you should be reducing the dosage before admission.

Remove all jewellery and make-up and nail varnish before admission.

Make sure that you enquire if you would need Bowel Preparation prior to surgery.

If you are constipated, take laxatives 3 days before the surgery.

Make sure that you are fully informed of the operation you are scheduled for, including the inherent risks. If not, schedule another visit to the specialist, postponing your procedure if necessary.

The Anaesthetic service is NOT included and you will receive a separate account from the Anaesthetist. You will need to complete a separate Anaesthetic Consent Form.

Make sure that someone will accompany you to/from the hospital with admission and discharge.

Leave any valuables at home.

Zinc and Vit C are recommended pre-operatively ( Zinplex Forte 1/day & Vit C 1000mg 2/day)

Omega 3 helps thin the blood. This helps to prevent DVT, and is recommended bit restricted to 1 capsule/day.

Make sure of time of admission – usually 06:00 for a morning list & 12:00 for an afternoon list.

Hospital Stay Necessities

  • Toiletries if you are staying overnight.
  • Chronic medication.
  • Sleepwear, slippers or shoes.
  • Comfortable clothing.
  • Reading material.
  • In case of a C-Section, pack everything needed to care for your new born.

Discharge

It is important to us that you know what to expect and how to take care of yourself after you’ve been discharged from hospital and are continuing your recovery at home. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask a member of the hospital staff to assist you with the necessary information or advice if you have any questions or concerns. Only the doctor responsible for your treatment may authorise your discharge from hospital, but our nursing staff will assist you in the process.

  • Before leaving the ward you will be asked to sign a number of documents to complete your discharge.
  • You need to present your discharge card which will be given to you by the ward staff, at the main hospital reception.
  • Patients will be required to settle any outstanding payments, such as fees not covered by the medical scheme before leaving the hospital, unless payment arrangement has been signed with Dr. Seton’s practice.
  • Private patients will be required to settle their outstanding account before leaving the hospital, unless payment arrangement has been signed with Dr. Seton’s practice.
  • If your doctor has prescribed medication for you to take home, collect it from the hospital pharmacy.
  • Please note that certain medical schemes do not allow that the take home medicine issued to the patient be charged as part of the hospital account, or may limit this benefit to a few day’s medication only.
  • Should this be the case the medicine may be dispensed from your acute benefit which could incur a levy for which you will be personally liable to pay.
  • If you do not have sufficient funds available when you leave the hospital this levy may be charged to the private portion of your account.
  • If you are unable to afford the prescribed medication on discharge it is important that you inform your treating doctor of this.
  • Please book your follow-up appointment with the rooms as your doctor instructed prior to leaving the hospital.
  • If you should have any concerns about your condition or recovery at any time after discharge, please do not hesitate to call Dr.Seton’s practice.

We will do our utmost to ensure your hospital stay is short and as trouble free as possible!