Ward A:

This is a ward that provides specialist care for patients recovering from a variety of surgical procedures. This includes patients recovering from orthopaedic, urology, gynaecology and some general surgery. Ward A also cares for the additional medical patients, who are unable to be admitted to Ward C.

Ward B:

This is a surgical ward that provides specialist care for patients recovering from major surgical procedures performed within the hospital. Located within the ward is the Perioperative Area, which consists of 8 beds where patients are admitted on the day of their surgery, before going to theatre. After surgery they will be transferred to an appropriate ward.

This ward is also responsible for the management of the Preadmission clinic, which is used to review and assess patients prior to elective surgery. The clinic assists in ensuring that patients understand their surgery, have undergone relevant tests and have completed all necessary documentation. This process enables the majority of patients to be admitted on the day of their surgery, rather than spend what might be considered unnecessary time in hospital before undergoing surgery.

This is a medical ward that provides specialist care for patients with acute medical conditions, such as stroke, cancer and respiratory problems.

ICU/CCU:

This is a specialist unit that treats the very acutely ill patient, those who have had a recent heart attack or stroke, or those who might be in a coma or suffering from respiratory distress as a result of their illness or those that have had major surgery.

Department of Emergency Medicine:

This department is the first port of call for many of the patients admitted to the hospital. The unit is operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to assist those with emergency medical problems. This department is not designed to provide the services that one might obtain from a GP, such as treatment for a sore throat and should only be accessed in true emergency situations.

Patients are treated in accordance with the urgency of their illness, not necessarily on their order of arrival at the Department. This can lead to large waiting times and frustration for patients with less urgent illnesses, which reinforces the importance of accessing this service only for medical emergencies.

Operating Theatres:

There are three operating theatres at Campbelltown Hospital. Two of these are utilised for “elective” surgery, for patients who have had their surgery pre-booked, and the other is to accommodate “emergency” surgical cases. A range of surgical procedures are performed at Campbelltown Hospital, but transplant surgery, open heart surgery and similar “higher level” surgical procedures are not performed at this site.

Nurse Education:

The Nurse Education staff are responsible for managing the education and training needs of nursing staff. They provide ongoing education programmes, continually review nursing activities to ensure “best practice” and provide professional advice, support and guidance to the nursing staff.

Infection Control:

The Infection Control Department and its staff provide a clinical and consultancy service to both inpatients and outpatients and healthcare staff. The Clinical Nurse Consultant in Infection Control is responsible for the Macarthur Health sector compliance with Infection Control standards and guidelines, as well as managing the care of patients with specific infectious diseases – community or hospital-acquired. The Infection Control Department provides education and preventive health programmes for both healthcare workers and patients.

Security and Patient Services:

This unit has a dual role in that the staff are responsible for providing security services to the organisation as well as general patient service or wardsperson activities, such as patient movements, shower assists etc.

ECG:

The ECG staff undertake the ECG testing of specific patients as well as assist with other clinical tests, such as spirometry tests and Pacemaker checks.

CSSD (Sterilising):

The Sterilising Department has the responsibility for ensuring that all clinical instruments that are designed to be multi-use are cleaned and sterilised in accordance with national guidelines. This includes predominantly surgical instruments, but also includes other multi-use items such as bowls.

Copyright © 2001 Macarthur Health Service Website Design & Administration: Domenico Santucci