Children-friendly ward at one of Advanced-Health day hospital facilities

Having a child who is unwell is difficult even at the best of times, for all parents, but even more stressful is the possibility of hospitalisation.

Any parent who is faced with the reality of a child being hospitalised should consider a day hospital. The Advanced Soweto Day Hospital was opened on May 5 last year and is one of the many day hospitals that may be considered.

Day hospitals treat most of the common ailments that affect children and it is preferable to have any necessary procedures performed in a day hospital as the overall experience is far less traumatic.

Going to the hospital can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, but children, in particular, experience heightened anxiety.

Bibi Goss-Ross, group operational manager at Advanced Health, which runs a network of day hospitals around the country says that most parents are not aware that a day hospital is a viable option for children in many surgical cases.

“The concept of day hospitals is still relatively new locally but people are beginning to wake up to this convenient and cost-effective healthcare service option,” said Goss-Ross. She said that South Africa lags behind at 13 percent against their international peers as far as day hospitals are concerned.

“It is important to emphasise that day hospitals should not be confused with conventional clinics. Day hospitals are specially designed to function like the larger hospitals with state-of-the-art theatre equipment and highly trained staff appropriate for the suite of surgical procedures that are regularly undertaken at these facilities.

“Children making use of these facilities benefit from quality care supported by caring staff and dedicated specialists using modern technology in a family-type warm atmosphere,” said Goss-Ross.

Day hospitals are, as the name suggests, used solely for medical procedures that do not require overnight hospital stays. Having to sleep in a strange environment without their parents close by can be a distressing experience for children.

At day hospitals, children can return home after their procedure once the doctor is sure that there will be no complications.

Even if the doctor orders bed rest, relaxing in the home environment with someone to look after them encourages healing and reduces stress.

Another critical factor to consider is the risk of infection which is significantly reduced in day hospitals due to shorter stays. Patients leave the hospital with a firm and agreed plan in place.

The short-stay and effective nursing care improve the overall clinical outcome of a patient. The smaller intimate environment is beneficial to the patients.

Many are familiar with arriving at the hospital before breakfast only to wait for hours before the medical procedure takes place. No one likes to wait for hours in a hospital, and waiting with children can be unbearable.

Day hospitals are geared up to minimise waiting times, meaning that children will be in and out of the ward much faster than they would be otherwise.

Advanced Soweto Day Hospital
Tel: 010 591 7306
soweto@advancedhealth.co.za
14475 Isixyxabesha Street
Extension 6
Protea Glen
Soweto
1819
GPS coordinates: 26°16’58.6?S 27°48’51.5?E

For more information please contact marketing at marketingsoweto@advancedhealth.co.za
https://advancedhealth.co.za/soweto-day-hospital/

Social Media Platforms for News:

Twitter: @SowetoUrban, Facebook: Soweto Urban News, Instagram: @SowetoUrban

News site 1: Westside-Eldos Urban News, News site 2: Soweto Urban News