Hospitalization

Will you soon be admitted to the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital? On these pages you will find information about the procedure before, during, and after your hospitalization. That way, you can properly prepare for your hospitalization.

Hospital Admissions

For certain examinations, treatments or surgeries you are medically required to stay at the hospital. You go to the Admissions Department in the Hospital lobby with your admission request form. The Admission assistant records all information in the Hospital Information System. If you have to be hospitalized for surgery, you will take your admissions card to the pre-screening. After the pre- screening, you will receive your admissions card as well as the documents for the anesthesia. You will subsequently deliver them at the Admissions Department.

For a smooth procedure it is necessary to bring:

  • a valid ID;
  • the AZV health insurance card

As soon as your hospitalization is planned you will receive a phone call with the date and time you’re expected.

Should there be any major changes in your health status in the meantime, please contact your family physician or the attending physician.

If you are not available for hospitalization for a lengthy period of time on account of personal circumstances, for instance vacation, or if you have urgent questions about your hospitalization, please contact the Admissions Department on business days between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Contact Admissions Department:
Tel.: 527 4001
Fax: 587 2342

For more information please click here for our admissions booklet (booklet is in Papiamento).

Admission Ambulatory Care

For an examination or (minor) medical treatment of no more than one (1) day. After the examination or treatment, you will stay at the hospital for a while, but you will not stay overnight. The Ambulatory Care is located on the second floor and can be reached at (00297) 527 4252 or (00297) 527 4254.

For more information, please click on the subject of your interest:

How to make an appointment

  • Go to the Admissions Department located in the hospital lobby.
  • If you have been referred by an ophthalmologist, you have to first pass by the concerned ophthalmologist.
  • Afterwards, you go to the Admissions Department
  • Subsequently to the pre- screening.
  • Once the results of the examinations are in, you’ll have to return to the Admissions Department and make an appointment for your one-day-admission.

To make an appointment you need to bring…

  1. Admissions card
  2. AZV health insurance card
  3. Valid ID

Preparation at home

Because the patient is admitted on the same day of the treatment or examination, some preparations have to be made at home. Please remember that preparations differ from patient to patient.

  1. The evening before your one-day admission, you are not allowed to eat or drink, not even water, after 12 a.m. Smoking and chewing gum are not allowed either. To prevent vomiting during or after surgery we advice not to eat too much on the evening before your one-day admission.
  2. Please don’t apply any makeup and remove all nail polish before admission.
  3. It is recommended not to carry large amounts of money, valuable jewelry, or important documents.
    The hospital is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal possessions!
  4. You will receive a telephone call one (1) day before your hospitalization to confirm your appointment.

What to bring on the day of your hospitalization?

  1. Admission card, valid ID, and if necessary, proof of first or second class insurance.
  2. Medicines used by the patient, preferably in the original package.
  3. Pyjamas and toiletries.
  4. Something to read, handicraft, or something similar.
  5. Telephone numbers of your contactperson.

The day of your hospitalization

On the day of your hospitalization, please report to the Ambulatory Care located on the second floor of the Hospital. Please be there at 6:50 a.m. Ask the security officer to escort you to the elevator.

At the Ambulatory Care

At the Ambulatory Care men and women stay in the same room. For privacy you may use the curtain.

You will receive a wristband with all your personal data. The nurse will check your blood pressure and pulse and make other preparations. After a while, a staff member will bring you to the operating room. The exact time of your examination or treatment is not always known beforehand. The staff will keep you informed.

After the surgery

After the surgery you will be taken to the recovery room where you will regain consciousness under close supervision. During the course of day, the physician/specialist will pass by to see how you are doing and whether you are ready to go home. Your stay will usually only last a few hours and not the entire day.

Every patient responds differently to anesthesia or local anesthesia. Consequently, the specialist may advise you to stay overnight for observation. If this is the case, you will be informed.

Visitors

You are not allowed to have visitors during your one-day admission. Only if drops have to be put in your eyes you are allowed to bring one relative or acquaintance. One (1) parent is required to be present if the patient is a child.

Your contact

You are not allowed to drive a car or walk the streets by yourself. It is very important that a relative or acquaintance pick you up because of the possible effects of anesthesia or local anesthesia. Please provide the nurse the information regarding your contactperson, so that he/she can be called when you’re ready to be picked up.

Aftercare

Your relative or acquaintance will receive instructions concerning the aftercare. It is recommended not to be left alone for the first 24 hours after surgery.

If problems or complications occur at night, you can consult the Emergency Department at telephone number (00297) 527-4540.

Duties & Rights

As a patient you have certain rights but also certain duties. This information is important as this will facilitate your stay at the Hospital.

Entitled to information

Information provided by the physician, nurse, or any other care provider should be clear and understandable with regards to:

  • your sickness or affliction;
  • the nature of the treatment or the examination;
  • the result of tests and (X-ray) examinations;
  • the expected duration of the treatment and the expected results;
  • any other treatment options;
  • the consequences or risks, if any, of the treatment or examination (e.g. the medicines, pain or discomfort, and side effects, if any)

Inform your physician in the best possible way

Be very clear when informing your physician about your medical issues. We suggest you to write down your questions in advance, so that you will not forget anything. It is also recommended to bring a relative or a trusted acquaintance.

Brochures

There are brochures on many topics. Please ask your physician about them.  On our website you will find a list of all the brochures the Hospital has to offer.

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