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THE CENTRAL HOSPITAL PATIENT HAND BOOK
A general guide to the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation Standards and YOUR role and responsibilities.
VISION To be a leading health care provider in South Asia with highest quality of clinical standards.
MISSION To care for and improve the quality of human life, through the provision of ethical healthcare solutions together with cutting-edge technology.
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VALUES Caring with a human touch Respect for all stakeholders Innovation and forward focus Caring for the society Caring for our employees
CONTENTS ¥ Message from the Medical Director ¥ Hospital Facilities and Services ¥ Hospital Layout ¥ Admission to Discharge Policy - Registration - Admission - Deposit - Category of rooms - Food and Beverage policy - Pharmacy Medicine Issue and Return policy - Common Drug and Food interaction - Spiritual and Religious services - Discharge Policy
¥ Visitors policy ¥ Patient Rights and Responsibilities ¥ Infection Control policy ¥ Patient Falls ¥ Pain management ¥ Comments and suggestions ¥ General guidelines ¥ Important contact numbers
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MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dear Valued Patient, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to The Central Hospital, Colombo. This hand book will provide you, your family and visitors with important information that you may require for your care process during your hospital stay. The Central Hospital, one of the most well-appointed and technologically advanced medical facilities, is part of the Asiri Group of Hospitals renowned for offering Sri LankaÕs most compassionate, technologically-driven and cutting-edge health care services. With a history of providing a number of ÔFirstsÕ to patients in Sri Lanka. The Asiri Group is now poised to offer ÒWorld-Class QualityÓ services while respecting the patientÕs cultural and spiritual aspects. We offer diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities by highly qualified and well experienced Consultant Specialists covering a diverse area from medical to surgical divisions, supported by a well-trained, energetic and dynamic team of in-house Medical Officers, Nursing and Allied Health personnel. The Central Hospital prides itself in keeping abreast of the fast evolving healthcare services sector while adhering to Global quality of care and Patient safety standards. Every patient who visits ÔThe Central HospitalÕ can rest assured that they will receive the finest and most modern medical technology and treatment available in Sri Lanka and recognized worldwide. We would appreciate your comments and suggestions, to help us further improve our services in the future. I wish you a quick recovery and your family a pleasant stay. Dr. Harsha Baranage Medical Director The Central Hospital
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HOSPITAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES ¥ 24 Hour Accident, Emergency and Outpatient Services ¥ 24 Hour Ambulatory Services ¥ 24 Hour Laboratory Services - All Blood and Urine test - Histopathological Analysis - Viral, Bacteriological & Fungal Studies ¥ 24 Hour Pharmacy ( Inpatient and Out Patient) ¥ Specialist Consultations ¥ Fully Equipped Operating Theatre Complex ¥ Surgery - General - Neuro - Orthopedic - Maternity - Genitourinary - Eye ¥ Eye Unit ¥ Dental Clinic ¥ Weight Management Unit ¥ Intensive Care Units ( ICU) - General - Neonatal - Cardiac - Neuro
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¥24 Hour Renal dialysis Unit ( Inpatient and Outpatient) ¥ Wards - Medical - Surgical - Maternity - Pediatric - Day Surgery - Neuro - Cardiac ¥ Vaccinations (Children & Adults) ¥ Physiotherapy Unit with Hydrotherapy ¥ Health Screening Centre ¥ Radiology Services - MRI / CT / VCT / US Scan / Digital X-Ray - Mammography - X-Ray with Fluoroscopy / Dexa Scan
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COMMON DRUG - FOOD INTERACTION 1. Warfarin and Vitamin K Warfarin (Coumadin) is a blood-thinning medication that helps treat and prevent blood clots. Eating certain foods, especially those rich in vitamin K, can diminish warfarinÕs effectiveness. The highest concentrations of vitamin K are found in green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, scallions, asparagus, and endive. ÒItÕs not that patients should avoid foods that contain vitamin K,Ó advises Zive. ÒRather, they should keep their intake consistent from day to day.Ó Describes a scenario that could spell trouble for an older adult: ÒIf a doctor tells a patient that they should lose weight and they, in turn, start to eat more greens, their vitamin K intake will go up, and this will counteract the anticlotting action of warfarin.Ó
2. Insulin, Oral Diabetic Agents, and Alcohol An alcoholic drink can increase or prolong the effects of insulin or oral diabetic agents (pills) and thus lead to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. The glucose-lowering action of alcohol can last as long as eight to 12 hours. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include nervousness, sweating, trembling, intense hunger, weakness, palpitations, confusion, drowsiness, and ultimately coma. With a doctorÕs approval, and in the absence of other health conditions such as pancreatitis, elevated triglycerides, and neuropathy, older adults with diabetes may be able to enjoy up to two drinks per day. A drink is defined by the American Diabetes Association as a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of a distilled beverage such as whiskey, vodka, or gin. Individuals can reduce the risk of low blood sugar by having alcoholic drinks at mealtime or by having a snack along with the drink. In addition, certain oral diabetic medications such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese) can cause dizziness, flushing, and nausea when taken along with alcohol.
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3. Digoxin, High-Fiber Diets, and Herbs Digoxin (Digitalis, Digitek, Lanoxin) is used to strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle, slow the heart rate, and promote the elimination of fluid from body tissues. Dietary fiber, specifically insoluble fiber such as wheat bran, can slow down the absorption of digoxin and lessen its effectiveness. To prevent this, elders should take digoxin at least one hour before or two hours after eating a meal. Herb use can also affect digoxin. For example, ginseng can elevate blood levels of digoxin by as much as 75%, while St. JohnÕs Wort decreases blood levels of this drug by 25%. ÒItÕs important for the patient to recognize signs of digoxin toxicity,Ó says Zive. ÒThese include a yellow tint to vision and the appearance of halos around objects, as well as weakness, confusion, dizziness, and nausea and vomiting.Ó
4. Statins and Grapefruit Statins are highly effective cholesterol-lowering drugs. Unfortunately, says Zive, ÒDrinking grapefruit juice or eating fresh grapefruit can increase the amount of some statins in your blood and lead to potentially greater side effects of these drugs.Ó Side effects of statins include muscle soreness and liver abnormalities reflected in high transaminase levels (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) on a blood test. This interaction is especially strong with simvastatin (Zocor) and lovastatin (Altoprev), milder with atorvastatin (Lipitor), and nonexistent for pravastatin (Pravachol), so itÕs important for elders to check whether their prescribed statin drugs do interact before giving up vitamin C-rich grapefruit.
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ASIRI HOSPOTALS LIMITED No.181, Kirula Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 11 452 3300 Fax: +94 11 250 8768 e-mail: info@asiri.lk