My Spine - Lumbar
It is important to visit the hospital prior to your procedure to familiarise your-
self with the ward, the theatre and the recovery area as well as enquire as to
exactly what will happen on the day of your operation. Most hospitals employ
a public relations officer or client services manager or have a pre-admission
clinic to assist you with these arrangements.
The following information will illustrate a typical routine visit to a hospital
for an elective procedure, with illustrations of some of the equipment that will
be used during the procedure.
ADMISSIO
Admission Desk
It is typical that if your operation is scheduled in the morning that you will be
admitted to the hospital very early in the morning. It is important therefore to
have the household well prepared for this. Your spouse, friend or family
member will ordinarily accompany you to the hospital and this will obvious-
ly mean that work related matters as well as childcare matters are arranged
timeously.
The first port of call will be the admission desk where certain paperwork will
have to be completed. This is usually to administer the hospital account. You
will need to ensure that you check beforehand what kinds of do cumentation
will be required. This will typically include identity documents, medical
insurance authorisation, agreement to co-payments, guarantee of payment
and may even include a cash deposit.
Most institutions have pre-admission facilities where this can be dealt with
during office hours before the admission date, making the admission process
easier on the day of your procedure.
66