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Coming in for an operation, procedure or delivery?

Bringing your medications into hospital

Burnside Hospital encourages all patients to bring their own medications from home into hospital.

Prior to your admission, please obtain an up-to-date list of your current medications from your general practitioner or local pharmacist. Please bring this list with you to hospital.

Tell the doctor and nurse/midwife about any natural therapies and over the counter medicines you take.

When you are to be admitted into Hospital, please bring all your current medications (including insulin, supplements and alternative medications) and the prescribed dosage with you in their original packaging. Medications must be in the original packaging in your name in order for us to be able to administer them to you in hospital (please do not bring Webster packs or dosette boxes).

It is important that while you are in hospital you continue to receive your normal medications. If your medications are changed, your treating doctor or nurse/midwife will inform you.


Burnside Hospital Position Statement - Non-Prescription Drugs

Illicit or illegal drugs which have not been prescribed by a medical practitioner under a prescribed scheme pose a number of short term and long term risks for your health. The interaction of illicit drugs with prescription medications has the potential to interfere with the effects of the prescription medication which may increase risk to patients. Due to this increased medical risk and the potentially dangerous effects of illicit drugs, including nonprescribed cannabis oil, Burnside Hospital is unable to permit the use of these substances in the hospital.

In Australia, the use of medical cannabis requires both a prescription from an authorised medical practitioner and Commonwealth approval or notification.

Why should I bring in my own medications?

Bringing your own medications into hospital will assist our staff to:

  • Have a complete and accurate picture of what medications you are taking and ensure continuity of these medications.
  • Make sure you are provided with/administered the correct medications whilst in hospital.
  • Identify any problems that you may be having with your current medications.
  • Enable you to take the brand of medication you are familiar with (where appropriate).

What medications should I bring to hospital?

You should bring with you all medications you have been taking prior to hospital admission as well as your medication list prepared by your GP (if available). Medicines to bring in include:

  • Medications prescribed by your doctor.
  • Medications you have purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket (e.g. pain relief medications, cold and flu medications, creams and lotions etc).
  • Complementary and alternative medicines (e.g. medicinal products containing herbs, vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, homoeopathic medicines, traditional Chinese medicines, Ayurvedic medicines and Australian indigenous medicines).

Please bring with you all of your current medicines and prescribed dosage of each in the original labelled container (not in a dosette or webster pack).

Please also bring in enough medication supply for your anticipated hospital stay.

What will happen to my medications?

When you are admitted into the hospital as a patient, staff will collect your medications and a hospital staff member (pharmacist, doctor, or nurse/midwife) will go through your medications with you to discuss what medications you have been taking and if you have had any problems with any of them.

Your medications will be stored safely and securely at all times within your room.

The nurse/midwife caring for you will continue to administer yout medication during your hospital stay, or as ordered by the doctor, and then returned to you on discharge.        

Drugs of dependence will need to be stored in a safe and checked for correctness as per legislation.

What if I forget to bring in all of my medications?

If you come into hospital without all your medicines, you may be asked to get a family member or carer to bring them in. This is to help your doctor and our hospital staff determine what medications you have been taking, and to order them for your ongoing treatment (if required).

Will my medications be used while I’m in hospital?

Your own medication will be used while you’re in hospital and will never be used for any other patient.

Some medications that you bring in may not be suitable for hospital use (e.g. medications in dosettes, Webster packs™, expired medications, medications not in their own packages).

The nurse/midwife caring for you and your treating doctor will check your medications on admission to make sure they are suitable to use during your hospital stay.

What if I need new medications or there are changes to my usual medications?

Any medication started during your hospital stay will be supplied by the hospital and you will be invoiced for these on discharge (depending on your type of health cover).

If your dose changes but the medication remains the same, your medications may be re-labelled by the Clinical Pharmacist with the new instructions.

What if I run out of my own medications while in hospital?

If you require more of your current medication during your hospital stay or on discharge, your doctor and the hospital pharmacy will organise a supply for you and you will be invoiced for these on discharge (depending on your type of health cover).

You will need to bring your Medicare card and any pension/concession cards (including your Safety Net card) into hospital with you.

What will happen when I go home?

Hospital staff will review the medicines you have been taking in hospital and tell you which medicines to take when you return home.

Your own medication will be returned to you when you leave hospital, along with any additional medications provided for you by the hospital. If your medications are no longer suitable for use, hospital staff may dispose of your unwanted medication, with your consent.

Any medication started during your hospital stay will be supplied by the hospital and you will be invoiced for these on discharge (depending on your type of health cover).

Please bring your Medicare card and any pension/concession cards (including your Safety Net Card) into hospital with you.

Please make sure you update your medication list with any changes to your medications when you leave hospital. You may be provided with a Medication Management Plan if you have complex medications.

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding with any procedure.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding with any procedure.