Your Stay with Us
Before you arrive
Make sure you bring:
- relevant documents, medical card and details of any private health insurance
- name, address and contact number of your next of kin
- all current medications, including any herbal or over the counter medicines – as we need a complete picture of your medication history
- nightwear, dressing gown, appropriate non-slip footwear/slippers, toiletries
- any mobilising aids you might need, such as a walking stick, crutches, frame or wheelchair.
Elective admissions
- Your consultant or GP will already have arranged your admission – so we will be expecting you. All you have to do when you arrive is go straight to the reception desk, where you will be shown to admissions before being directed to the department/ward where you’ll be treated.
- We will give you an individual patient identification wristband which you will need to wear at all times during your stay in the hospital.
- Please let us know as early as possible if you cannot attend on the day – by calling the admissions office on (01) 221 4643/4445/4266
- In the unlikely event of a delay to your elective admission, we will contact you as early as possible to reschedule your admission.
A patient’s consent is required before certain treatments and procedures, such as surgery, anaesthesia and the use of blood and blood products. As part of the consent process, your consultant will clearly explain the procedure to you, outlining the risks and the benefits. We encourage all patients to actively participate in their care plan, and to ask as many questions as necessary including the length of stay and when they are likely to be well enough to go home.
Discharge
We will start planning for your discharge with you and your family from the time you are admitted.
- Your medical team will agree and discuss a predicted date of discharge with you – which will be reviewed throughout your stay.
- They will also discuss your treatment plan and arrange any follow-up you may need.
- We will make sure your GP receives your discharge letter and give you your prescription before you leave.
- If you need a medical certificate please tell staff as soon as possible so this can be ready for you on the day of discharge.
- Please arrange your lift with a family, friend or relative to take you home before 11.00 on the day of your discharge. Please note you will be transferred to the discharge lounge at 07.00 on the morning of your discharge. This helps the ward free up beds for patients waiting to be admitted.
- Make sure you have your house keys and the right clothes for leaving the hospital including shoes, coat, outdoor clothes.
- Make sure you have your prescription for medication.
- Please also check that you have all your belongings with you before you leave.
Patient safety
You may be unsteady on your feet – during your stay with us – because of a medical or surgical condition or treatment you might be going through. Please make sure to use the call bell provided in your room if you need assistance – to reduce your risk of having a fall. And do ask friends or family to help by bringing you any safe supportive shoes, glasses and walking aids that you may need.
For additional safety throughout your stay, please ensure you:
- wear your patient identification wristband at all times
- inform us if you have any food or medication allergies
- let a nurse know if you are leaving the ward – even if it is only for a short period of time
- avoid bringing large sums of money, jewellery or expensive electronic items with you – as we cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged property.
- do not use aerosols within the hospital
Protected meal times
Nutrition is an important part of your treatment and you should expect to eat your meals without interruption. Meal times are as follows:
- Breakfast: 08.00
- Mid-morning snack: 10.00
- Lunch: 12.00 – 13.30
- Teatime: 16.45
- Evening snack: 19.00 – 20.45
Our hospital menus are designed to provide you with a varied and balanced diet. We cater for patients with food allergies and specific dietary requirements but if you have particular dietary needs, please inform nursing or catering staff.
A carefully planned *Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programme ensures that we prioritise food safety, quality and overall nutritional value. All patients are encouraged to only consume food provided by the Catering Department throughout their hospital stay as food which is not subject to strict monitoring and safety guidelines can pose a risk to their own health and to the health of other patients.
At St. Vincent’s University Hospital our team of dietitians work as part of the healthcare team to provide nutritional care to patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition, in a hospital setting, can lead to slow healing and recovery and may extend hospital stay. Find out more about malnutrition, how to prevent it and who is at risk by reading our frequently asked questions.