Medication Safety

• Medications commonly known as blood thinners can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgical procedures.
• If you are taking blood thinning medication, inform your surgeon and clarify if and when you should stop taking them.
• Discuss any diabetes, blood pressure, or cardiac medications with your surgeon before surgery as adjustments may be necessary.
• We recommend discussing the discontinuance of herbal medicines and vitamins with your doctor at least seven days before surgery.
• We strongly advise avoiding alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before your medical procedure.

At Burnside Hospital we encourage all patients to seek guidance from their doctor regarding existing medications, and to bring their medications to hospital to ensure continuity of care. To help us support your safe health and wellbeing, please:

• Obtain an Up-to-Date Medication List
  Prior to your admission, obtain an updated list of your current medications from your general practitioner or local pharmacist and bring it to hospital on admission day.
• Notify Us of All Your Medications
  Be sure to inform your doctor, nurse, or midwife about any natural therapies or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as your prescribed medications.
• Bring Medications in Original Packaging
  Bring all your current medications (including insulin, supplements, and alternative treatments) in their original packaging with the prescribed dosage clearly marked. Medications must be in the original packaging and in your name to be administered safely in the hospital. Please note, we do not accept medication in Webster packs and dosettes.
• Continue Taking Your Medications Unless Told Not To
  Unless your doctor has instructed otherwise, it is important that you continue receiving your usual medications while in the hospital. If your medications need to be adjusted, your treating doctor will guide you through any necessary changes.
• Non-Prescription Drugs
  We do not permit the use of illicit or illegal drugs, including non-prescribed cannabis oil, during your stay at Burnside Hospital. 
  
  Non-prescription drugs can pose significant risks to your health, especially in combination with prescribed medications, and may interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment. 
  
  If you require medical cannabis, it must be prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner. You will need both a prescription and Commonwealth approval or notification to use medical cannabis in the hospital.

If you have any questions or concerns about your medications or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our team - we are here to ensure your stay is as comfortable and safe as possible.

Bringing your own medications to hospital helps our team provide you with the best possible care:

• It gives our staff a complete and accurate understanding of your current medications, helping to maintain continuity and prevent any interruptions to your treatment.
• It helps us ensure you receive the right medications in the right dosages while you're in the hospital.
• It allows our team to identify and address any concerns or challenges you might be experiencing with your current medications.
• It ensures you can continue taking the brand of medication you are most familiar with, making your experience more comfortable.

Bring all the medications you are currently taking, as well as the current medication list prepared by your GP (if applicable) including:

• Any medications your doctor has prescribed.
• Medications you’ve purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as pain relief, cold and flu medications, creams, lotions, etc.
• Complementary and alternative medicines such as herbal remedies, vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, homeopathic medicines, traditional Chinese medicines, Ayurvedic remedies, and Australian indigenous medicines.

Bring your medications in their original, labelled packages (not in dosette or Webster packs) and bring enough to cover your entire stay in hospital.

Our staff will collect your medications and review them with you. A pharmacist, doctor, or nurse/midwife will discuss the medications you’ve been taking and whether you’ve experienced any issues with them.

Your medications will be kept safe and secure in your room at all times apart from medications that are classified as drugs of dependence, which will be stored securely and checked for accuracy, in compliance with legislation.

Throughout your stay, the nurse or midwife assigned to your care will administer your medications as prescribed by your doctor. When you are discharged, your medications will be returned to you.

If your doctor has advised continuing with your regular medications in hospital, they will be administered to you during your stay. We will ensure they are only used for your treatment — never for another patient.

However, some medications you bring in may not be suitable for use in the hospital, such as those in dosettes, Webster packs, expired medications, or medications that are not in their original packaging.

When you are admitted, the nurse or midwife, along with your treating doctor will review your medications to make sure they are safe and appropriate for use during your stay.

If you require any new medications or adjustments to your usual ones during your hospital stay, the hospital will provide them and you will be invoiced upon discharge (depending on your health cover).

If there are changes to the dosage of your current medications but the medication itself remains the same, our Clinical Pharmacist will update the labels with the new instructions to ensure your treatment continues smoothly.

If you run out of your medications during your hospital stay or need more when you’re ready to go home, our hospital pharmacy will liaise with your doctor to arrange a supply which will be invoiced upon discharge (depending on your health cover).

Remember to bring your Medicare card and any relevant concession, pension, and/or Safety Net cards with you.

Before you leave the hospital, our staff will review the medications you’ve been taking during your stay and provide you with clear instructions on what to continue using at home.

Your personal medications will be returned to you, along with any new prescriptions provided during your stay. If any of your medications are no longer suitable for use, we will dispose of them safely with your consent.

If any new medications were started during your hospital stay, these will be supplied by the hospital, and you will be invoiced upon discharge (depending on your health cover).

It’s a good idea to update your medication list with any changes, and if you have complex medications you may be given a Medication Management Plan to help guide your care at home.