The day-hospital is a programmed one day hospitalization, usually between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., to allow diagnostic investigations or administration of therapies. To complete the treatment, two or more day-hospital admissions may be necessary.
Questions? Niguarda answers.
> When would the day hospital be indicated?
When your health requires certain exams and visits or treatments that cannot be done at home or in the doctor’s office
> Who orders the use of the day hospital?
It is always ordered by a specialized doctor from our hospital staff
> How do I get admitted to the day-hospital?
Both for the pre-admission and for the admission, the patient will have to go to the front office to formalize the acceptance. The staff will receive the patient and it will give information. Every girl/boy under 18 years old must come with a parent or with the person with paternal authority or with the tutor.
> Who has priority access ?
The hospital has developed a priority access system for medical assistance of patients in the Day Hospital. This system is valid for: persons with disabilities (either temporary or permanent), elderly patients with obvious difficulties, women in an evident state of pregnancy, children, and persons with particular pharmacological needs. These patients are given an orange sticker to place on their clinical charts, rendering their priority status recognizable to the hospital staff.
> What about meals?
If you must remain past lunch time and your physical condition allows it, you can ask for a meal to be delivered to you in the department.
> What should I bring with me?
It depends on the reason of the admission, generally less things are needed, a change of clothes and one pair of anti-skid close-toed slippers. The charge nurse will give some useful and specific information.
> What is day surgery?
Day surgery (DH chirurgico) is a branch of the day hospital service for same day surgery, with hospitalisation scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., without an overnight stay. These operations are done under local, regional or general anesthesia, with the same safety and effectiveness of traditional surgery.
> Is it useful to bring routine medication from home?
It is important to inform the physician of all medications currently in use (name and dose). During hospitalization, only medication supplied by the hospital, based on doctors’ orders may be taken. The physician may decide to continue your current medication or substitute them with equivalent drugs. The hospital pharmacy is able to meet all specific needs. The health care staff is available at all times for drug information. If you bring medication from home, please give it to the head nurse on admission to the department. They will be given back at the moment of discharge.
> How do I is the day scheduled?
After a visit, the surgeon or specialist proposes day surgery, an appointment will be made for the visit with the anesthesiologist. The day surgery staff will then contact you for information about pre- surgery day hospital.
> Some practical advice
We reccomend that patients do not bring valuables or large sums of money with them.
Smoking is forbidden in the hospital.
Cellular telephones may be used, except in certain wards. However, the need for rest and quiet of all patients must be respected.
At the moment of discharge, it is important to remember to ask the head nurse for any clinical records that were turned in on hospital admission, as well as any medicine brought from home.
> What happens at discharge?
Once the scheduled procedures are done, the staff physician will discharge you if your physical condition permits. If there is a series of treatments and visits, a clinical report will be given to you at the end of the therapy cycle. It is important to bring this report to your family doctor and to any follow up visit.
We advise you to be accompanied by a relative or friend who can stay with you for the entire time you are in day hospital and can bring you home afterwards.
> Once I am home?
The staff physician will indicate necessary precautions , prescribe medications and order any necessary therapy, as well as give you an appointment for a follow up visit.
You will be given a phone number that you can call for any question or problem that arises within the first 24 hours after discharge. You will talk with a staff physician.
> What document do I need to bring?
For Italian citizens
- Identification card
- Regional card of services (Carta Regionale dei Servizi) or Health Card and Social Security Number (Tessera Sanitaria and Codice Fiscale)
For European Community citizens:
- Identification card
- Form E 112 or European Health Card
For citizens of countries outside the European Community:
- Permission of stay
- Health card or insurance policy or STP code
- Identification card
It is useful to bring all clinical documentation, and to communicate with the doctors at the moment of arrival in the department the names of the drugs which you are using and current therapies. The doctor may decide to retain some documents, which will be returned at the moment of discharge.
> How can I have a copy of my clinical charts?
A copy of all clinical documentation from the current or from past hospitalisations and /or visits can be obtained by contacting:
Clinical Archives (Ufficio Cartelle Cliniche)
Pavilion 1, entrance
Tel.
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk-up window Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
certificazionisanitarie@ospedaleniguarda.it
> How is my privacy guaranteed?
On admission, the patient will be given a form to authorize the communication of information related to hospitalization ( “autorizzazione alla comunicazione delle informazioni relative alla degenza”) which:
• authorizes or does not authorize the communication of information related to the presence of the patient in the hospital by the hospital staff
• autorizes or does not authorize the communication of information related to the patient’s health status.
In the case of authorization, the patient is asked to indicate the name of the person/s of reference. The staff will be authorized to give information only to that person/s.
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