FAQs
Thank you for choosing St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital as your healthcare partner. We look forward to you joining us as a patient. We want you to feel safe, comfortable and cared for at all times. If there’s anything at all you need, please ask.
Pre-Admission FAQ
If you are coming in for surgery, your doctor will have given you your admission time and fasting details. Please contact their rooms if you are unsure.
If you are coming in for a Colonoscopy or Gastroscopy and you have not received your admission details from your doctor, you will receive an email/text 7 days before your procedure with bowel preparation details.
The Bowel Clinic can be reached on (07) 4646 3300 from 10am-2pm, Mon-Fri.
If you haven’t already completed your admission paperwork through the portal at least 2 days prior to your admission, please do so. Alternatively, you can come in to the hospital and complete a paper form.
Your surgeon may refer you to the MyProcedure Clinic prior to your procedure so that you can be reviewed by a physician. If so, MyProcedure Clinic will contact you with an appointment time to attend at the hospital.
Please ensure that you follow the instructions you’ve been given on when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery, and any preparation required.
If you are only coming in for a Day Procedure, please ensure that you have arranged for a family member/friend to pick you up from hospital and stay with you for 24 hours after your surgery. Please note your surgery cannot proceed if you do not have someone to take you home and stay with you.
Please contact your doctor or specialist a week before surgery if you are:
- Diabetic – to determine insulin or medication adjustments that may be required
- Taking blood thinning drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin or apixaban).
Preparing for your admission in advance will help make sure that your hospital stay is as comfortable as possible.
Please pack the following items, where applicable:
- Any doctor’s letters/x-rays/scans that the doctor has asked you to bring
- A certified copy of your Power of Attorney or Advanced Health Directive documents
- Glasses, heart aids etc. with their appropriate cases
- Mobility aids
- For children having surgery please bring a favourite soft toy if applicable and any bottles, formula, nappies, etc. that you require. Children under 18 years of age must have one parent/guardian staying with them, so please bring along any personal care items to assist with your stay.
Please DO NOT BRING:
- jewellery
- large sums of money
- other valuables.
The hospital takes no responsibility or liability for loss of money, valuables or other possessions.
Please bring a detailed list of your medications including:
- Name and strength of the dose of the medication/s
- Times and how you take each medication
- Any allergies, intolerances and reactions to medications
If you are staying overnight, bring all the medications you take in their original packaging.
Unless otherwise advised by your doctor, please take all routine morning medications with a small amount of water.
Prior to admission please:
- Bathe or shower, and wash your hair at home using normal shampoo
- Do not use any powder, deodorants or creams
- Do not wear make-up, jewellery or nail polish
- Wear comfortable and easy to redress clothing
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours before surgery
- Bring a small secure bag for your belongings.
Please head to the Surgical Admissions Desk best accessed from Entrance 2.
Follow this link and scroll down to see the Site Map and Access details for more information.
Once at the hospital, follow the yellow signs across the hospital to get to Surgical Admissions.
Arrival at the designated time via the main hospital entrance is important so that your admission can be processed quickly. Please check in with administration on your arrival.
You will then be directed to the relevant clinical area for completion of the admission process. The waiting time prior to be taken to the Operating Theatre will be used to ensure that you are adequately prepared for your surgery.
All children are required to have one parent stay with them prior to surgery and during the recovery stage.
After the normal post-operative recovery period, you will return to the Day Surgery recovery area where you are required to stay a minimum of 1.5-2 hours depending on the type of anaesthetic you have received. Nursing staff will contact the family member/friend who will collect you from the hospital.
You may require some level of care when you go home. If you live alone this should be discussed with your doctor before admission, and appropriate arrangements made in advance.
It is essential that in the first 24 hours after your surgery or procedure you can NOT:
- Stay alone
- Drive a vehicle/bike
- Drink alcohol
- Make any legal decisions.
Follow-up guidelines, instructions and prescriptions (if applicable) will be given to you prior to your discharge.
Pre-Operative Instructions – Colonoscopy
Please read these instructions carefully before your procedure.
- Begin a low residue (low fibre) diet and continue this until the day before your procedure.
- Avoid foods containing skins, seeds, nuts, whole grains, high-fibre cereals, raw fruit and vegetables, and other high-fibre foods.
- Continue to drink plenty of clear fluids unless otherwise instructed.
- Eat a light breakfast as your last solid meal.
- Some instructions may allow a light lunch as well.
- Do not eat any solid food after lunch.
- Commence clear fluids only (such as water, clear broth, black tea or coffee without milk, clear apple juice, sports drinks, and clear soft drinks). Avoid red- or purple-coloured fluids where possible.
- Begin your bowel preparation as instructed. The exact preparation type and timing will be provided separately and may vary depending on your procedure time.
- If instructed, take the second dose of your bowel preparation at the specified time.
- Continue drinking clear fluids as directed and stop all oral intake at the time advised by your healthcare team.
- Take your usual medications only as instructed by your doctor or pre-admission team.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you after your procedure, as you will receive sedation. You must not drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents, or consume alcohol for 24 hours after your procedure.
- Please follow your individual bowel preparation instructions carefully. A well-cleaned bowel is essential for a safe and accurate examination.
- If you develop a fever, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or are unable to complete your bowel preparation, please contact the hospital or your treating doctor as soon as possible.
If you have any questions regarding your preparation, medications, or procedure, please contact the Bowel Clinic before your appointment. Bowel Clinic can be reached on (07) 4646 3300 from 10am-2pm, Mon-Fri.
Have a different question?
We want you to feel safe comfortable and cared for at all times. If there’s anything at all you need, please contact us. You can fill in our online form or phone us directly.