Visiting Hours
For those wishing to visit loved ones at our day hospital, please take note of the following guidelines:
Given that we operate as a day hospital, we don't have designated visiting hours. Most of our patients check in during the morning and are discharged by 5pm.
No Fixed Visiting Hours
After a procedure, patients often require tranquillity and rest to aid their recovery. While we do allow a visit from one or two family members or friends post-surgery, we kindly request that these visits be brief.
Limited Visitors Post Surgery
Please be reminded that our day hospital closes its doors at 5pm. It's essential that all visits conclude by this time to ensure a smooth discharge process for our patients.
Closing Time
Admissions
LogBox
Emergencies
Medications
What to Bring
Pre-Operative Care
Surgery Day
Post-Operative Care
Medical Bills
Visiting Hours
Admissions
Once your doctor decides that you need to be admitted to Crestcare Nelspruit, they will initiate the admissions process using LogBox.
STEP 1: Notification Email
You will receive an email notification from LogBox, indicating that an admission has been scheduled for you at Crestcare Nelspruit.
Attached to this notification, you'll find a PDF with hospital codes. Use these codes to obtain authorisation from your medical aid provider. You will need this authorisation number to complete step 3.
STEP 2: Accessing LogBox
If you haven't previously set up LogBox, this is the time to do it. You can download the LogBox app or access it via a web browser. The notification email will provide a link for direct access.
STEP 3: Verification & Hospital Questions
Once inside LogBox, you'll need to:
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Input your hospital authorisation number that you received from the medical aid.
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Verify your demographic details.
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Complete the hospital-specific questions.
STEP 4: Confirmation of Pre-admissions
After you've verified your details and completed all necessary steps on LogBox, you'll receive a notification confirming the completion of the pre-admission process.
STEP 5: Final Notification
You'll then receive another notification, confirming that your details have been successfully shared with Crestcare Nelspruit.
STEP 6: Day of Admission
Remember to bring along:
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Your ID document.
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Medical Aid Card (if applicable).
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The authorisation number you received from your medical aid provider.
If, at any point, you face issues or have questions, please reach out to the LogBox support team at support@logbox.co.za.
When to Call for Help
If you experience any of the below symptoms, call your surgeon immediately or go to the nearest emergency room:
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Chills / fever.
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Chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
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Unable to urinate.
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Bleeding from incisions.
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Redness / warmth around incisions.
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Light-headedness, pounding heart.
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Pain that cannot be controlled with prescribed medicine.
What to do in an after hours emergency
Crestcare Nelspruit Clinic is open from 7am to 5pm Monday - Friday. In the event of an after hours emergency, please call your surgeon or go to the nearest emergency room.
Please avoid the following medications from 10 to 14 days before your surgery:
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Medications/products that can cause bleeding:
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Anti-inflammatory drugs: i.e. medications used for treating arthritis and pain. e.g. brufen, ibuprofen, voltaren, etc.
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Aspirin / Salicytic: containing medications such as Grandpa Powders !!
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Anti-platelet agents such as aspirin ecotrin, plavix, persantin
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Anticoagulants: e.g. heparin, warfarin
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Homeopathic medications: e.g. arnica, rescue remedy, St Johns Wart
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Herbs: e.g. cumin, evening primrose oil, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, grape seed extract, omega 3 fatty acids.
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Vitamins C & E.
Medication
Before your surgery, it is essential to inform your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking. Some medications can interfere with the surgery or cause bleeding, so your doctor needs to assess which ones may need to be stopped temporarily.
What to Bring With You
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Proof of identification (ID or driver’s license)
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Medical aid card
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All relevant medication
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Towel
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Face cloth
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Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap)
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Two sets of comfortable pyjamas
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Books and magazines
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You own adapter to charge your cell phone
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Leave all valuables at home or in a safe place
Transport & Care at Home:
Driving a car is not permitted for 24 hours after anaesthetic. For this reason you need to arrange to be dropped off and collected from the hospital, regardless of whether you are having a day or overnight procedure. As a reminder, consider all arrangements that need to be made on the home front, like for example childcare, for the duration of your hospital stay, as well as for a few days after your return home.
Avoid Makeup, Moisturiser, and Creams:
Please refrain from applying any makeup, moisturiser, or creams on the day of surgery. These products can interfere with the surgical process and may not be compatible with anaesthesia.
Remove Nail Polish:
For monitoring purposes during anaesthesia, it's essential to remove nail polish from at least one fingernail. This allows medical professionals to monitor your oxygen levels accurately.
Personal Hygiene:
On the day before surgery, take a refreshing shower or bath. Pay special attention to thoroughly clean the areas where the surgery will take place. This step helps reduce the risk of infection and ensures a sterile environment.
Fasting Period:
Do not eat or drink anything for at least six hours before your scheduled procedure. This fasting period helps ensure your safety during anaesthesia and surgery.
Surgery Notification:
You will receive a notification with date and time you need to arrive at the clinic for your procedure. Make sure to take note of this important information and plan accordingly.
Pre-operative Care
Please follow these steps to ensure the safety and success of your surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
In Recovery:
After surgery you will be taken to the recovery area where you will stay until you are fully awake. You will wake up gradually and may feel dizzy, groggy, and nauseous, this is due to the anaesthetic, during this you will still have tubes and monitors attached to you. You will receive additional pain medication as needed and your vital signs will be monitored.
You may also have been fitted with any combination of the following, depending on the type of surgery you had:
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Elastic stockings.
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Pneumatic stockings (constantly inflating and deflating) on both legs.
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IV line for continued fluids, antibiotics, pain killers.
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Wound drain (Portavac) to removes excess blood.
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Catheter to drain your bladder.
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PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) for controlling pain.
Transfer to the Ward:
Once you are fully awake and stabilised in recovery you will be taken back to the ward by our loving and professional nursing staff. Here you will be monitored until you are fit to be released from hospital. If one or two members of family or friends would like to visit post-surgery, these visits need to be short to allow you to rest.
In Theatre:
You will be accompanied to theatre and be assisted in lying comfortable on the theatre bed. Monitors will be set up by the anaesthetic nurse and anaesthetist. The anaesthetist will administer and IV line into your hand or arm and shortly after you will begin to feel very relaxed before dozing off into an anaesthetically induced sleep.
Your safety is our priority. We will always respect your privacy and dignity.
Surgery Day
On Arrival:
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Take any routine medication as prescribed by your doctor. Only small sips of water are allowed solely for medication purposes. However, refrain from taking any diabetes medication on the day of surgery. Please consult your doctor about this.
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When brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth but ensure you don't swallow any water.
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Shower with antibacterial soap. After your shower, avoid applying moisturisers, creams, or make-up.
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Aim to arrive 2 – 3 hours before your scheduled surgery time.
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Upon admission, our welcoming staff will guide you to your bed. Once there, you'll change into theatre attire. Our team will take a detailed medical history, including previous surgeries, illnesses, allergies, and current medications.
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You'll be required to sign a consent form, indicating your understanding of the upcoming surgical procedure. Remember, you will have already discussed the details with your specialist. Also, an anaesthetist will see you before the surgery.
Feeling a little anxious about your procedure is quite normal, but knowing what to expect can make the day a little easier. Remember to speak to your doctor about any concerns or discomfort you may have.
Before you are discharged your surgeon will instruct you on how to care for your wound, which typically needs to stay dry for a week. You will also receive a date for a post-operative follow up visit.
Post-operative Care
Once home, it is imperative to remember to complete your antibiotics and any other medicine that your doctor prescribed. Most pain medication causes constipation, remember to eat lots of fibre and drink fluids to mitigate this.
What is LogBox?
LogBox is an app that solves the problem of having to complete patient forms and questionnaires each time you visit a healthcare provider or hospital.
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Before your procedure, please consult with your medical aid to ascertain whether they cover the specific treatment you're set to receive.
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The hospital will furnish you with a comprehensive estimate, encompassing the costs of your stay and the procedure. This will also include relevant codes your medical aid might require.
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It's important to note that besides the hospital, multiple other service providers may send invoices to you directly or to your medical aid. As a patient, you are responsible for discussing fees with any service provider.
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While Crestcare strives for transparency, please understand that we don't hold sway over external fees. Situations might arise where you encounter co-payments because an external provider (like pathology, physiotherapy, or the anesthetist) charges rates different from medical aid-approved tariffs.