Interdisciplinary Approach to Care

Interdisciplinary Teams are made up of staff from different medical disciplines who combine their skills and knowledge to provide seamless integrated care for patients. They assess and diagnose conditions and create comprehensive and effective treatment plans to ensure the best care outcomes. Teams are determined by each patient’s unique care requirements.

 

 

Identifying Staff

Clinical Nurse Managers

Light blue uniform with navy stripe and navy trousers

Staff Nurse

White uniform with navy stripe and navy trousers

Health Care Assistant

Maroon coloured uniform and navy trousers

Physiotherapists

Navy tops with ‘Chartered Physiotherapists’ logo and navy trousers

Occupational Therapists

White tunic with green stripe and green trousers

Volunteers

White t-shirts with Cappagh Hospital Foundation logo

Surgical Proceedings

When preparing for surgery we recommend the following:

  • Take a shower or bath the night before admission
  • Remove nail varnish, false nails, piercings, false tan, eyelash and hair extensions and jewellery.
  • Please refrain from applying body lotions.
  • If you are having a general anaesthetic, we recommend that you take a late supper before 10 pm the night before admission. Please do not drink anything (including water) from midnight onwards. If you receive a late admission time, the nursing staff may provide you with alternative advice on fasting.
  • If you suspect that you might be pregnant, please inform the Admissions Department. If pregnancy is confirmed your surgery may be deferred to a later date.
  • If you are under 16 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the Hospital. And should you require inpatient care, a parent or guardian must remain with you for the duration of your stay.
  • Removal braces and dentures should not be worn during surgery.

Anaesthesia is used to suppresses the central nervous system, by blocking pain signals to the brain, and can be administered in several ways:

Local Anaesthesia can be administered by spray, gas or injection to numb a small part of the body. Patients remain conscious during the procedure but do not feel pain. Local anaesthetics are used for minor procedures.

Regional Anaesthesia provides for pain relief in deeper areas of the body. Spinal and epidural anaesthetics numb specific areas. Patients are conscious during the procedure but do not experience pain.

General Anaesthesia is a controlled unconsciousness, typically administered intravenously or by gas. Patients will have no memory of the procedure, and once drugs wear off, you start to feel normal sensation again.

The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh has a team of 18 Consultant Anaesthesiologists providing expert services to paediatric and adult patients. They will recommend the most suitable form of anaesthesia for your procedure giving consideration to your age and general state of health.

We are Ireland’s leading orthopaedic hospital and our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are highly-regarded both nationally and internally. More than 40,000 joint replacement surgeries have been performed here since 1969, as well as groundbreaking 2-surgeon scoliosis surgeries and complex limb reconstruction/lengthening procedures to name but a few. In addition, the Hospital is home to the following national services:

  • National Referral Centre for Primary Bone and Soft Tissue Tumours
  • Dedicated orthopaedic elective surgical centre for the National Sarcoma Service
  • Dedicated centre for elective orthopaedic surgery for Children’s Health Ireland
  • National Bone Bank

Following surgery, you will be placed in a recovery room until you regain consciousness and are considered well enough to return to your ward. The Hospital has a High Dependency Unit which has specialist equipment and offers greater patient/nurse ratios. Should you require additional care, you may transfer to the High Dependency Unit to begin your recovery.

Early Mobilisation

We mobilise patients quickly following surgery to stimulate circulation, promote healing and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Pain Relief

Nursing staff will discuss your pain levels and ensure that appropriate pain relief medications are administered post-surgery.

Patient Care

The Hospital Oratory is located near the Main Reception. Holy Communion is offered weekly. A volunteer Catholic chaplain is on site twice per week; however, arrangements can be made for Chaplains of other denominations to visit the hospital.

On admission to the hospital, you will be notified of your expected date of discharge so that you can plan your route home and put the necessary arrangements in place to support you on your return. Inpatients are discharged before 11 am on the date of discharge and must take care to pack your belongings and medications. Nursing staff will provide advice on post-operative care and provide you with the following documents if required:

  • Medical certificates for employers
  • Prescriptions for post-operative medication
  • GP letter confirming the procedure undertaken and outcome.
  • You may be asked to attend the Outpatient Clinic for a follow-up consultation, and an appointment notification issues to patients three weeks post-discharge. If you do not receive this communication, contact the Medical Records Department on + 353 (01) 8140432.

Discharge checklist

Returning Home
Have you arranged transport home?
Wound Care

Have you received advice on wound care?

Stitches

If you have stitches, have you been advised on removal?

Home Care Services

If you are receiving home care services, are they aware of your return home?

Post-Discharge Queries

If you have a concern post-discharge, do you know who to contact?

Medication

Has your medication been returned to you?

Belongings

Have you packed all your belongings, clothes, phone chargers, toiletries?

GP Letter

Have you been provided with a letter to your GP?

Future Care

Are you required to attend the Outpatient Department?

Returning to Work

Have you discussed a date for return to work?

Returning to Exercise & Sport

Have you received advice on returning to exercise?

Prescriptions

Have you been provided with a prescription for any new medications?

Patients may be asked to attend the Outpatient Clinic for consultation following discharge. An appointment notice will be issued three weeks post-discharge.

See our Outpatient Clinic