Grafton Base Hospital

Grafton Base Hospital

Unit Services

General High Dependency and Coronary Care services are provided and also shorter term Intensive Care support including respiratory support.Those patients that require a higher level of treatment, such as more complex Intensive Care, neurosurgery or cardiothoracic surgery are stabilised at Grafton Hospital prior to being transferred to a Hospital with the appropriate services. This is usually to Lismore Base Hospital, Coffs Harbour Health Campus or a tertiary hospital in Brisbane and sometimes Sydney.

Grafton Hospital has a modern combined Intensive Care/ High Dependency /Coronary care Unit with five (5) beds. Patients in the unit are often connected to cardiac monitors; this allows close monitoring of numerous vital parameters. We also have a “life support” machine (ventilator) and a machine called “Bipap” should either be required, both assist the patient with their breathing. The Intensive Care/ Critical Care Unit at Grafton is equipped with the necessary equipment and has skilled staff to safely care for patients requiring this high level of care and support.

If the patient requires the additional support of other specialised equipment such as haemo dialysis or CRRT the patient will also need to be transferred to another Intensive Care Unit that provides these specialised services inclusive. This will usually be to another Intensive Care Unit within the Northern Rivers Area Health Service, either at Lismore or Coffs Harbour Health Campus. This will be done in consultation with an Intensive Care Specialist at the other hospital.

Patients that require more specialised care – e.g. burns, major trauma, neuro surgery or cardiac surgery may be admitted briefly into our hospital but will be transferred as soon as possible to a specialised Intensive Care Unit at another hospital. If the patient requires a coronary angiogram they will be transffered to either Coffs Harbour Health Campus or RNSH (Sydney) they may also elect to be transferred to a private hospital with those facilities.

Children (16 years or younger) who need intensive care services also need special care and they may need to be transferred to a specialised Intensive Care Unit at another hospital.

Unit Staffing

A doctor (Anaesthetist, Surgeon or a Physician) who has experience in Intensive Care/ High Dependency medicine looks after the patients in our unit. They visit the unit daily. When not in the unit they can be reached by telephone.
Our Unit has a Nurse Unit Manager who has responsibilities for managing the Unit overall. There is a senior nurse in charge of the unit every shift. If a patient requires help with their breathing (on a ventilator or a Bipap machine) then each shift, one nurse will look after that patient. If a patient can breathe without the help of a ventilator, one nurse may be taking care of two (2) patients during the shift.

Our unit also has the help of Allied Health Professionals such as physiotherapist, pharmacists, dieticians through the day.

Visitor Services

Expectations of Visitors

Visitors are welcome during visiting hours and outside these hours after arrangement with the nurse in charge of the unit when their family member is critically ill. We prefer visiting to be limited to two persons at any time and immediate family only. Children may visit if accompanied by and adult (parent or guardian). Pet visitation can be arranged if deemed appropriate on a case basis by the nurse in charge of the unit at the time. In essence visitation in tailored to the needs of the patient in consideration of all patients and staff in the unit. We also appreciate phone inquiries to be limited to one family member who can liaise with all other family and friends concerned.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. There is a rest period for patients between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm with no visiting or phone calls during this time unless arrangement has been made with the nurse in charge.

Mobile Phones

The use of mobile phones is to be avoided around biomedical equipment, therefore we ask visitors and patients to switch mobile phones of when within 2 metres of monitoring equipment.

Waiting room

Visitors may be asked to wait whilst some personal care or procedure is attended to and our waiting room is located directly outside the unit, all visitors are required to use the door bell each time in order to be let into the unit.

Flowers & Balloons

Whilst we appreciate your care and wishes for your ill family member, in consideration to all patients, visitors and staff, we do not allow flowers in the unit. The hospital has a total ban on rubber balloons with respect to severe latex allergy in members of staff.

Visitor Accommodation

There is accommodation available onsite at the hospital for those relatives of Intensive Care patients who require it. There is a small fee involved. The Nurse in charge of the Unit will be able to assist you with accessing this service.

Support services

Social worker, Diabetic Educator, Respiratory chronic care support, Cancer care support, Cardiac Rehabilitation support, Aboriginal Liaison and Pastoral Care / Chaplain is available. The Nurse in charge of the Unit will be able to assist you with accessing any of these services.

Hospital shop

The shop on hospital grounds is privately owned and operated and provides both take-away, sit down food service including hot foods and selling of general grocery lines. Shop hours:
Monday – Friday 0700 – 1800
Sat, Sun & Public Hol’s 0800 - 1400

ATM / Phones
There are no ATM’s located in hospital grounds, however one is available at a local hotel within 200 metres.

Parking

There is both undercover and 2 hour free street parking available at the hospital.

Finding the ICU

Please go to the main entrance and ask for directions, if mobility impaired please phone ahead and a handicapped access point can be used.

How To Get To Grafton Base Hospital

A map of the hospitals's location is below. A more detailed map can be found at the Whereis Online WebSite.