Clinical and care information
On the day of your admission
- Shower with soap (no moisturiser or lotions)
- Wear clean, loose, and comfortable clothes that are easy to remove
Pre-operation body wash instructions
For your safety, we might ask you to complete a special pre-operation body wash.
Download our instructions for a pre-operation body wash (PDF).
Your care goals
- Before you arrive, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve from your treatment.
- Your goals might be medical—like reducing pain or healing an injury—or personal, like being able to walk up stairs, attend an event, or return to a hobby.
- Your care team will ask about your goals to make sure your treatment aligns with what matters most to you.
Tips on how to set your care goals.
Clinical handover at the bedside
Different staff members will care for you during your stay. To keep your care consistent and safe, information about you will be handed over at your bedside between shifts. This gives you a chance to ask questions and stay involved in your care.
Managing your pain
Effective pain management helps you:
- Move safely and reduce the risk of pressure injuries and blood clots
- Breathe easier and lower the chance of chest infections
- Rest and sleep better
- Start physiotherapy earlier
Learn more about managing your pain (PDF).
Safety and recovery
Infection control
- Hospital measures: Clean environment, sterilised equipment, isolation protocols, hand hygiene, and protective equipment.
- Your role: Practice hand hygiene, cover mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing, report recent infections, complete antibiotic courses, and follow wound care instructions. Find out more about looking after your cannula (PDF).
Avoiding falls
- Precautions: Use call bells, be cautious when moving, wear non-slip footwear, and bring necessary aids like walking sticks or glasses. Learn more about how to avoid having a fall (PDF). Fall prevention tips for new mothers and newborn babies (PDF).
Pressure injuries
- Prevention: Change positions frequently and report any skin discomfort or changes to staff.
Blood clot prevention
- Hospital measures: Risk assessments, compression stockings, and blood-thinning medications.
- Your role: Stay mobile, take prescribed medications, stay hydrated, and avoid crossing legs.
- Alert a nurse as soon as possible if you have: sudden leg swelling or pain, chest pain or difficulty breathing. If these symptoms occur after discharge, seek emergency medical treatment.
Learn more about how we reduce your risk of blood clots (PDF)
Learn more about anti-embolism (pressure) stockings (PDF)
Learn more about foot compression system (PDF)
Delirium and blood transfusions
Joint replacement patients
Australian Joint Replacement Registry
If you’re having joint replacement surgery, your details may be included in the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.
Download the patient information sheet (PDF)
Donating your hip bone
If you’re undergoing hip surgery, you may be eligible to donate your femoral head (hip bone) to the Australian Tissue Donation Network. This bone can help up to four people in need of orthopaedic or spinal surgery.
More than half of referred patients are eligible to donate, though participation depends on strict health and regulatory criteria.
