OVERVIEW
Day of my procedure
Getting ready at home
Shower or bath, check your nails and remove jewellery
There are no special requirements before your procedure in terms of hygiene. Please shower or bath as normal. Please do not wear nail polish to your appointment.
Please remove all jewellery and leave it at home, including all rings, watches and necklaces.
Organise your bag
Please bring the following items with you in a small overnight bag:
Your current medications
Any pathology or blood results
Any X-rays
Referral letters
Your appointment schedule and any letters or papers we have sent you
Health insurance details
Medicare card
Veteran Affairs details if applicable
Worker’s Compensation details including insurance claim numbers if applicable
Items to pass the time, such as reading material, knitting, crosswords etc
Reading glasses
Toiletries
You will be allocated a locker on arrival, so your personal belongings will be locked away and secure during your procedure. However, please do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables with you on the day.
Print and bring your consent form
If you have access to a printer, then print and bring a copy of your consent form with you on the day. This form can be found on the procedure page. If you don’t have access to a printer, we will provide a copy to you on your arrival.
If you have already signed the consent in your doctor’s rooms, then please disregard this instruction.
Fasting instructions
Fasting
All patients attending Eastern Heart Clinic are fasted prior to their procedure. Please follow the fasting instructions that were given to you when you rang us on the day prior to your procedure.
Instructions:
- All patients must cease solid food six hours before their admission time
- All patients must cease clear fluids two hours before their admission time (note: clear fluids are NOT cloudy or milky drinks)
- From two hours before your admission – nil by mouth
For example, if your admission time is 7:00 am (please tailor this to your admission time)
- You can eat food up until 1:00 am
- You can have clear fluids (water, black tea/coffee, clear juice etc) up until 5:00 am
We would have also given you the time to arrive for your procedure. Please allow yourself plenty of time to travel, park, go through admissions and arrive at the clinic at the nominated time.
Medication instructions
Patients prescribed Warfarin
If you take the medication Warfarin you will need to consult with your referring cardiologist who will advise you if you need to stop taking your Warfarin three days before your procedure. Your cardiologist may also advise that you need to take a substitute anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is very important that you do not stop taking your Warfarin until you have discussed this with your cardiologist.
Patients prescribed Lasix
On the day of your procedure:
- If your procedure is scheduled for before 12:00 pm: Withhold your Lasix and bring in your tablets so staff can give them to you after your procedure
- If your procedure is scheduled for after 12:00 pm: you may take your Lasix
Patients with diabetes
On the day of your procedure:
If you are prescribed insulin we suggest you take half your regular insulin dose. Remind the booking staff that you are on insulin and we will attempt to schedule your procedure as early as possible.
- Insulin dependent (IDDM): You should take half (½) of your regular insulin dose (please bring in insulin)
- Non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) – tablet controlled: You should continue your medication as normal
- Non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) – diet controlled: Fast as per the instructions above
Other medications
Aspirin, Plavix, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor, Pradaxa, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban
Your cardiologist will provide advice regarding if and when to stop other medication. All other medications include Aspirin, Plavix, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor, Pradaxa, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban.
We will discuss your medications with you when you call the clinic the day before your procedure (please refer to our detailed instructions in the Before my visit patient guide).
Travel and parking
Driving to the clinic by private car
Eastern Heart Clinic is located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Centre Building of the Prince of Wales Hospital Campus. Enter via the Barker Street entrance, at Randwick. You can find our Google Maps reference here.
Parking at the Prince of Wales Hospital
An underground parking station is located off Barker Street for patients and visitors to Eastern Heart Clinic. This has a maximum of $31.20 per day or $11.30 for a three-day unlimited pass. The casual rate is $5.20 per half hour. The direct telephone number for parking enquiries is 02 9382 3400.
Public transport
Eastern Heart Clinic is serviced by light rail, bus, taxi and Uber.
You can check current routes and timetables and plan your trip with Transport NSW, or use a trip planning app on your phone (eg TripView or Opal Travel).
How to get to Prince of Wales Hospital from Central Station by light rail
The fastest way to get to Prince of Wales Hospital is via the Sydney light rail. Take the L2 Randwick line which stops at the High Street entrance to the hospital. You can learn more about light rail services and timetables here.
How to get to Prince of Wales Hospital by bus
If you plan to catch a bus to Eastern Heart Clinic, the following bus numbers stop near the Prince of Wales Hospital: Bus Route No. 314, 316, 317, 370, 372, 373, 376, 377, 400, 410, 418, M50.
We recommend using the bus stops on Arthur, Belmore and Avoca Streets as there is a steep hill walking up from Barker Street.
Your arrival and admission
Where to go on your arrival
When you arrive, please enter the Prince of Wales Hospital through the main entrance, which is at the end of a long driveway (or via the carpark), using the Barker Street entrance (at Randwick). The main enquiries desk is located on your left as you enter.
Ask for directions at the main enquiries desk to either Eastern Heart Clinic or the Prince of Wales admissions office, if you have been asked to go there first.
My admission
Privately insured patients
If you’re being admitted to Eastern Heart Clinic as a private patient, please go directly to the clinic, which is located on the 3rd Floor of the Campus Centre Building. A staff member at the enquiries desk can direct you.
Public hospital patients
If you’re being admitted to Eastern Heart Clinic as a public patient, please go directly to the admission office of The Prince of Wales Hospital on your arrival, before coming to the Eastern Heart Clinic. The enquiry desk can direct you. Once you’ve been admitted, please make your way to the Eastern Heart Clinic.
Arriving at the Eastern Heart Clinic
When you arrive at the Eastern Heart Clinic, you’ll be welcomed, asked to fill in some additional forms, and invited to take a seat in our waiting area with your family member/carer until it’s time for your procedure.
How long will I be at the clinic
Day stay patients (those not staying overnight) are normally at the clinic for at least six to eight hours from the time of admission to the time of discharge.
Please note that Eastern Heart Clinic is part of a tertiary referral centre and, from time to time, we need to prioritise emergency procedures. This may at times lengthen your stay at the clinic. If this happens on the day of your procedure, we’ll let you know and advise you of any delays.
My visitors
Your visitors are welcome to wait at the clinic but they can’t accompany you once you go in for your procedure. Most visitors leave once you go in for your procedure, and return either when you’re back in recovery or ready for discharge.
Your immediate family or carer can see you briefly in recovery after your procedure and then once you’re up walking around. You can make or receive calls in the recovery area following your procedure.
We’re happy to answer any questions you or your family/carers may have. We’ll also let you know how long your procedure will take, how long you’ll be in recovery and an approximate time of discharge (if you’re not staying in overnight).
Participating in cardiovascular research
Eastern Heart Clinic participates in ongoing cardiovascular research. You may be asked if you would like to participate in a current research project while you are at the clinic. Participation is entirely voluntary. You can read more about medical research projects and opportunities at Eastern Heart Clinic here.
Having my procedure
Change into hospital gown and secure your belongings
When we’re ready for your procedure, a nurse will escort you to a changing area and ask you to change into a hospital gown and store your belongings in a locker.
Your personal belongings will be locked away and secure during your procedure.
Prepare for my procedure
We’ll then ask you a series of questions as part of your nursing and medical admission. A nurse will take an electrocardiogram (ECG) and insert an intravenous needle (IV) into your arm for fluids and medications.
You’ll then be asked to read your consent form and sign it with your cardiologist (if you haven’t already done this earlier).
You may then be visited by an anesthetist, depending on the anaesthetic requirements for your procedure. This will be explained to you in advance of your procedure by your doctor.
Undergo the procedure
You’ll be taken into one of the procedure rooms on your bed. We’ll attach monitoring cables to your chest and you’ll be covered with sterile surgical drapes. The procedure will then be performed.
You will be cared for by a highly skilled medical and nursing team throughout your procedure, who will respect your privacy at all times.
Once the procedure is complete, the drapes will be removed, the insertion site cleaned and you’ll be transferred to recovery.
After my procedure
Transfer to recovery
When you arrive in recovery, you’ll be attached to a cardiac monitor and our nursing staff will monitor your vital signs and recovery.
Your immediate family or carer can see you briefly in recovery after your procedure and then again when you are up walking around. You can also make or receive calls to/from family in the recovery area when you feel able to.
If you’re a “day patient” (eg not staying in overnight) we’ll get you up and moving as soon as you feel comfortable. If you’re staying in hospital overnight, you’ll stay in recovery until you’re stable, and then you’ll be transferred to your ward/unit for ongoing care.
Receive my results
Your doctor will explain the results of your procedure with you while you are in recovery or before you are discharged. They’ll also discuss any further treatment or ongoing management with you. If you require further intervention, they’ll give you this information.
If the doctor who performed your procedure is not the doctor who referred you, then a full report of findings and recommendations will be forwarded to your doctor a few days after the procedure.
Prepare for discharge
Once you’re ready for discharge, the intravenous needle will be removed from your arm and you’ll be able to get dressed. When changing back into your clothes, please check that you have collected all of your belongings from your locker and leave the locker key in the door of the locker.
Once you’re dressed, a nurse will return your X-rays and discuss your discharge care with you and your family/carer prior to your departure. You’ll also be given all relevant information if you require further treatment.
Going home and first night
Travelling home by car
As a general rule, driving is not permitted for 24 hours or longer for certain procedures. We will let you know on discharge when you are able to drive again. You can also check the information relating to your procedure related to driving.
Please organise for someone to drive you home if travelling by car, or to accompany you if you are travelling by taxi or Uber.
Travelling home by plane
Patients are generally advised not to fly on the day of their procedure, but please check instructions related to your specific procedure or talk to our staff.
Please be aware that some airlines may place restrictions on patients flying after certain procedures, such as angioplasty and stent insertion.
Have someone stay with you on the first night
Please ensure that you have someone at home with you (overnight) on the day of your discharge in the event you require assistance or support.
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns
If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure after your discharge please don’t hesitate to let us know. You can contact us by phone from Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 5.00 pm on tel: 02 9382 0700.
If you have an urgent need outside of business hours, then follow the after-hours instructions from your doctor’s rooms, contact an after-hours GP service or present to an emergency department. In the event of an emergency, please call 000.
Learn more
You can also download a PDF version of the Eastern Heart Clinic Patient Information Guide here.
Related content
Please also read this important information before your visit: