POST-OPERATIVE INFORMATION AND SURGICAL WOUND CARE

Discharge information:

When you get discharged from the hospital following your procedure, you will receive the following information:

• Take home prescription medication:
  These are mostly pain and anti-inflammatory medication. Blood-thinning medication and antibiotics may also be included in some instances. Please take this medicine as prescribed. Should side effects occur, please stop the medication immediately and contact the practice or your local general practitioner.
• Fit for duty letter (sick note)
  This letter serves as your proof of medical care for your employer. Please use a copy of the same form for your family responsibility leave as I am not able to provide forms for non-patients.
• Follow-up date
  A follow-up appointment has already been made for you. Please diarise this appointment and confirm the appointment telephonically with the practice.
• Physiotherapy
  If you were seen by the physiotherapist in hospital, he/she will provide you with a post-operative rehab program as well as a follow-up date after surgery. Rehab is extremely important after surgery, and these appointments must please be kept.

Wound care:

Wound care is very important. Most wounds need to be kept closed with the dressing applied in the ward until your follow-up appointment. Avoid getting the dressing wet, especially during showering and bath times. Rather use Glad Wrap or a plastic bag around the dressing to avoid excessive moisture. If you are required to dress your wound:

• Ensure that you wash your hands before dressing the wound and preferably wear gloves
• Avoid touching the actual wound
• Remove the old dressing
• Clean with alcohol-based cleaning solution only around the edges
• Try not to remove the Steri-strips
• Apply new dressing after the skin is dry.