Admission to Hospital
As an inpatient, you will have been admitted to the hospital by either your own doctor, or under the care of a hospital doctor. A doctor will visit you each day or more frequently if needed. Please do not hesitate to ask the nursing staff if you wish to see or speak to your doctor.
Cancellations
Every effort is made to arrange your admission/appointment on the date given but there are times when the number of emergency admissions (trauma patients etc) may make this impossible.
Should your admission/appointment be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, we ask for your understanding and sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.
If you need to cancel your admission, please telephone 8951 7777 as soon as possible.
Consent
By coming to Alice Springs Hospital you have given your general agreement to treatment which may be required for your condition. Certain procedures, e.g., operations, the administration of anaesthetics and certain diagnostic procedures require specific consent in writing.
Before you sign the consent form the nature of the procedure and all possible outcomes should be explained to you. It is important that you understand what is involved.
You are entitled to insist on adequate explanation form your doctor if you are unclear of the procedure and its likely effects
Confidentiality
It is necessary to collect, use and store information about you so we can provide appropriate care and treatment. Information may be shared with other people who make up your health care team. Your privacy is protected by law and hospital policies.
Bed allocations and single rooms
Allocation of single rooms at Alice Springs Hospital is for patients with specific needs (eg palliative care, those who require isolation or who are terminally ill). For this reason, private patients will not always be allocated a single room.
Food and Drink
Please check with the ward nursing staff before accepting any food or drinks.
Gifts
Gifts of lollies, food and drinks are often appreciated. Visitors are asked to consult with the nursing staff before giving patients any articles of food or drink. Some items may not be able to be consumed while the patient is undergoing a course of treatment.
Leaving the ward area
Your bed may be given to another patient if you are away from the ward for an extended period of time. Please notify the ward nursing staff if you intend to leave the ward at any time.
Laundry
It is the patient's responsibility to make arrangements for personal laundry. Washing machines are available in some wards.
Mail is delivered each weekday. Letters can be posted at the Hospital Registry on the first floor. Postage stamps are available from the kiosk on the ground floor.
Smoking
The hospital promotes a non-smoking environment. Smoking is not permitted inside hospital buildings. Outside the buildings, smoking is only permitted in the signed posted designated areas.
Patient Requirements
What to bring
Personal belongings and documents. Your nightwear, dressing gown, slippers and undergarments should be clearly marked with your name. There are no facilities to wash personal belongings.
Please bring your own toiletries (brush or comb, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, shaving gear etc) and reading matter or something to occupy your time. If you wear glasses, please include them when packing. You will also need some clothes to change into for your return home. For convenience, you may also like to bring your watch, address book or a list of telephone numbers and a pen.
Maternity patients are advised to have front opening nightdresses, maternity bras, nursing pads and sanitary wear. For discharge, you will need baby clothes, blanket, nappies and safety pins (if needed).
Please bring your Medicare card or health fund details/book (if you have private health insurance), a letter of admission from your doctor if you have one, current medication, list of drugs to which you are allergic and any relevant X-rays or ultrasounds (especially if you are a Maternity patient). Also remember to bring your hand-held antenatal records if you are a Maternity patient.
Please note that in cases where a prescribed medication is not available in the hospital pharmacy a patient's own supply may need to be used until such time that the hospital pharmacy is able to secure supplies.
The hospital does not take responsibility for any personal articles or clothing that are mislaid.
Electrical
In order to comply with Australian Standards and maintain the integrity of the hospital electrical supply, all patient-owned electrically driven items must be safety tested and tagged prior to use. Notify nursing staff of any electrical goods, e.g., VCR, TV, hair dryers, shavers or such that you wish to use.
What NOT to bring to hospital
Alcohol and other drugs
Alcoholic drinks and other non-prescription drugs (including marijuana) are not to be brought into the hospital by patients or visitors. These substances may adversely react with hospital medication.
Mobile phones and two-way radios
Mobile phones and two-way radios are not to be used within patient treatment areas. They may cause interference to sensitive medical equipment with serious consequence to patients. Please ensure that mobile phones etc are turned off when entering these areas.
Valuables
Patients are requested not to bring valuables or large sums of money into hospital. If you must bring valuables ask the staff to arrange for their safe keeping with the Hospital Administration or Nursing Co-ordinator (after hours) who will issue a receipt. On discharge valuables and monies will be returned.
The hospital cannot accept responsibility for damage to a patient's personal clothing or items removed in the course of emergency treatment.