Dr Douglas Seton
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Pre-Admission Information

Preparing for your hospital admission can feel overwhelming, but we are here to guide you through the process. The following information will help ensure that everything runs smoothly before, during and after your procedure.

Pre-Admission Procedures

Before your procedure, please visit the pre-admission centre at the hospital where your surgery will take place.

Please bring:

  • Your medical aid card
  • Your ID document


A pre-admission patient administrator will assist you in completing the necessary hospital documentation.

If you are a member of a medical aid, prior authorisation is required before admission for your procedure. If authorisation is not obtained in advance, you may be liable for any shortfalls or penalties on the specialist’s account.

Our practice will provide you with an Authorisation Form containing all the relevant information your medical aid requires, including:

  • A written medical diagnosis
  • ICD-10 code (diagnostic code)
  • Procedure codes with a description of the planned surgery
  • Practice numbers for the specialist and the hospital

Important Information for Medical Aid Members

As a medical aid member, it is important to understand your individual cover. We encourage you to ensure that:

  • You are aware of your benefits, co-payments, limits, exclusions and waiting periods.
  • You understand which procedures or items may not be covered.
  • You are familiar with the funds available in your savings benefit.
  • You know whether your scheme uses preferred or designated service providers, and how this may affect your cover if you choose a non-designated provider.
  • Your membership is active and your premiums are up to date.


We strongly recommend that you clarify any possible levies, co-payments or exclusions with your medical aid when obtaining pre-authorisation. This will help you understand if there are any costs for which you may personally be responsible.

The specialist account will be submitted directly to your medical aid. However, as the member, you remain responsible for the account should your scheme not pay, or only partially settle, the amount.

Please note that our practice charges above Medical Aid rates unless a specific agreement exists with your scheme.

Your cooperation in obtaining authorisation and confirming cover details will help ensure a smooth and efficient admission process.

Pre-Operative Checklist

How you prepare for your hospital stay will depend on your procedure and your individual medical circumstances. The guidelines below will assist you in preparing for surgery:

  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before admission.
  • Reduce or stop smoking as much as possible, especially if you are having a general anaesthetic.
  • Do not eat solid food within 6 hours of your scheduled surgery time, and do not drink liquids within 4 hours.
  • Stop all herbal or traditional medicines 10 to 14 days before surgery. This includes, but is not limited to: Arnica, Feverfew, Ginkgo, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Meadowsweet, Danshen, Devil’s Claw, Papaya, St John’s Wort, Tamarind, Dong Quai and Pulmonaria mollissima.
  • If you take chronic medication, confirm with your specialist whether you should take it on the day of surgery.
  • If you are taking blood thinners such as Warfarin, Ecotrin or Disprin, please ask your specialist how many days before surgery you should stop or adjust the dosage.
  • Remove all jewellery, make-up and nail varnish before admission.
  • Confirm whether bowel preparation is required for your procedure.
  • If you are constipated, consider taking a laxative three days before surgery.
  • Ensure you fully understand the procedure and its risks. If you have any questions, please schedule another consultation before your surgery date.
  • The anaesthetic service is billed separately. You will receive a separate account from the anaesthetist and will need to complete an anaesthetic consent form.
  • Arrange for someone to accompany you to and from the hospital.
  • Leave valuables at home.
  • Zinc and Vitamin C are recommended before surgery (Zinplex Forte 1 per day and Vitamin C 1000 mg twice daily).
  • Omega 3 may assist with circulation and is recommended at one capsule per day.
  • Confirm your admission time. This is usually 06:00 for morning procedures and 12:00 for afternoon procedures.

What to Bring to Hospital

If you are staying overnight, please bring:

  • Toiletries
  • Chronic medication
  • Sleepwear, slippers or comfortable shoes
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Reading material
  • For Caesarean section patients, all essentials for your newborn

Discharge and Recovery

Your recovery continues once you leave the hospital, and we want you to feel confident and supported during this time.

Only the doctor responsible for your care may authorise your discharge, and the nursing staff will guide you through the process.

Before leaving:

  • You will be asked to sign discharge documentation.
  • Present your discharge card at the main hospital reception.
  • Any outstanding payments not covered by your medical scheme must be settled before discharge, unless a payment arrangement has been made with the practice.
  • Private patients are required to settle their accounts prior to discharge unless an arrangement has been made.

 

If medication has been prescribed:

  • Collect it from the hospital pharmacy.
  • Be aware that some medical schemes limit or exclude take-home medication from the hospital account.
  • Any shortfalls may be charged to your acute benefit or private portion of your account.
  • If you are concerned about the cost of prescribed medication, please inform your treating doctor.


Please remember to book your follow-up appointment with the rooms as instructed before leaving the hospital.

If you have any concerns about your condition or recovery at any stage after discharge, do not hesitate to contact Dr Seton’s practice.