Day Stay Unit

What is the Day Stay Unit?

The Rotorua Hospital Day Stay Unit takes almost all planned day of surgery admissions to the hospital.

Even if you are staying overnight after your procedure, you will still most likely be admitted to this unit beforehand.

Te Whatu Ora Lakes offers several surgical specialities including:

• General Surgery (including some paediatric surgery)
• Gynaecological and Obstetric surgery
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Ear, Nose and throat (ENT) surgery
• Dental surgery
• Endoscopy

What can I expect?

The Day Stay staff will get you ready for your procedure.

You can usually have a support person come with you until you go into theatre, but this may not be possible due to Covid-19 restrictions.

You will change into a theatre gown, wear foot coverings or special non-slip socks, or anti-thrombotic stockings if needed.

The staff will check that all your pre-op investigations have been completed, you may have a blood test before some major surgery.

You will have your blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturations and weight taken beforehand.

If you are female you will need to let the admitting staff know if you may be pregnant.

You will usually see the surgeon, anaesthetist and theatre staff before you go into the theatre.

You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions from your theatre team beforehand.

The surgeon and anaesthetist will need to gain your consent for the procedure beforehand if you have not already done this.

Don’t be surprised if you are asked the same questions more than once, this is for your safety, and to ensure we are doing the correct procedure for the right person.

After your surgery

You will spend some time in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) after the procedure to receive care whilst waking up from the anaesthetic.

If you are staying overnight or longer you will go from PACU to the inpatient ward, where your family will be able to visit you.

If you are going home the same day you will be taken back to the Day Surgery Unit where you will rest for a while before going home.

When can I go home?

You can go home when you are more awake, and able to mobilise, eat and drink. In some cases we may need you to pass urine before you can go home.

The effects of the anaesthesia mean you can remain drowsy for a while after the operation.

If you are having a day stay procedure you MUST have someone to stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure, and you need to have access to a working telephone.

You must NOT drive, drink alcohol or operate machinery or equipment for 24 hours after an anaesthetic.

Contact 

If you have increased pain, uncontrollable vomiting or feeling unwell please contact the hospital for advice.

You will be given discharge instruction by the nurses in the Day Stay Unit, which will tell you what to do and who to contact if you are feeling unwell.

Phone:

Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm (07) 349 7954

After hours (07) 348 1199 and ask for the Duty manager for advice.