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Welcome to the Orthopaedic Preadmission Clinic (PAC)

This clinic located on the 4th Floor of the Main Building has been designed for people who have elected to have joint replacement surgery - either hip, knee or shoulder.

It's Purpose

The performance of your operation requires the administration of an anaesthetic. Your medical fitness to undergo this procedure will be assessed in the Clinic.

While attending the clinic, a team of health care workers will provide written and verbal information regarding your admission to hospital, your operation and discuss options for your discharge home, or where necessary, rehabilitation facilities.

The PAC Team includes

  • Clinical Nurse Consultant (Musculoskeletal Disorders)
  • Social Worker

You will be seen by the PAC team prior to having the necessary preoperative tests collected by the Pathology Test Collection staff.

Preoperative Tests

To ensure that you are medically fit for your operation, you will have the following tests ordered:

  • Blood tests
     
  • Electrocardiograph
    - this will test the function of your heart
     
  • Midstream Urine test
    - this needs to be free of infection or your surgery may be postponed
     
  • Chest X-ray
    - X-rays of the joint and limb that is to be operated on.

The results of these tests will be reviewed by medical staff. If there are any tests results that require further investigations, you will be contacted and an appointment will be made for you to be reviewed by specialist/medical practitioners in Concord Hospital.

If you are currently under the care of a specialist/medical practitioner (outside Concord Hospital) and have recently been reviewed or had any tests, it would assists us greatly if a copy of these results/reports could be brought in by you or sent to:

The Coordinator,
Orthopaedic Preadmission Clinic
Ward 6 North
Concord Hospital
Concord NSW 2139

or contact:
Clinical Nurse Consultant
(Musculoskeletal Disorders)
Telephone 9767 5000, page 60266

Medications and your Surgery

Before surgery it may be necessary to alter the dose, or cease certain medications. These medications include arthritis drugs, blood thinning medications such as aspirin, and hormone replacement therapy drugs. If you are taking any of these medications, you are advised to discuss this matter with your doctor/specialist.

It is important that you bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, whatever the source of these medications.

Please note: Do not begin or cease taking medication unless instructed by your doctor.

Clothing

Please keep the amount of clothing you wear to a minimum. Outer garments which are easily removed are preferable.