Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment that uses electrical energy to destroy tissues in the heart that are causing rhythm disturbances.
This procedure may be performed under a local or general anaesthetic. Your Doctor will advise you which one best suits your needs.
A small incision is made in the groin. A special RFA catheter is inserted into the vein and guided up to the heart using x-ray screening.
With catheters in place, recordings of the heart’s electrical activity can be made from inside the heart and the tissues that are responsible for the rhythm disturbance can be located.
Once the Doctor finds the specific origin of the abnormal heart beat, the RFA catheter will ablate (or burn) that area. This means a scar forms in that area and stops the abnormal heart rhythm occurring.

Your Appointment:

• Following your visit to your Cardiologist the secretary will schedule a booking at the earliest time available.
• A letter of confirmation will be sent to you detailing your instructions.
• You will be required to phone the Clinic the day before your procedure between 12 noon and 3pm for your admission time and any further instructions.
• Please inform the secretary if you require accommodation (especially if you need to travel) or need an interpreter.

Preparation:

Fasting:

Depending on your Doctors advice, you will be required to fast (that is no food) for at least 6 hours prior to your procedure. Clear fluid can be taken up to 3 hours prior to your procedure, this includes black tea or coffee, it does not include milk or liquids with substances floating in it e.g orange juice pulp.

Hygiene:

 No special requirements – shower or bath as per usual.

Medications

All usual medications (including Aspirin, Clopidogrel -Plavix or Iscover)) must be taken on day of procedure with a sip of water with the exception of the below medications:

Warfarin	If you take the medication Warfarin you will need to consult with your referring cardiologist who will advise you if you need to stop taking your Warfarin 3 days before your procedure. Your cardiologist may also advise that you need to take a substitute anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is very important that you do not stop taking your Warafin until you have discussed this with your cardiologist.
Insulin	If you are prescribed insulin we suggest you eat a light early breakfast and take half your regular insulin dose. Remind the booking staff that you are on insulin and we will attempt to schedule your procedure as early as possible.
Diabetic Patients	IDDM: You should have early morning breakfast (i.e. 06:00 hours) Half (½) regular insulin (please bring in insulin) NIDDM:Tablet Controlled You should withhold your oral agent on the morning of the procedure. (Metformin – and its other name: Diabex, Diaformin, GenRx Metformin, Glucohexal, Glucomet, Glucophage and Metformin BC - should be ceased 48 hours prior to the morning of the procedure). You may have a light early breakfast if not fasting from midnight. NIDDM: Diet Controlled You may have a light early breakfast if not fasting from midnight.
LASIX (or other diuretic)	If your procedure is scheduled for after 12:00 pm you may take Lasix. If the your procedure is scheduled for before 12:00 pm you are to withhold your Lasix and bring in your tablets so that staff can give them to you after the procedure when you are mobilising
Clopidogrel (Plavix or Isocover) 75 milligrams (mg)	If you are already on Clopidogrel you should continue it as per normal.   If you are commencing Clopidogrel Your doctor will give you 6 tablets 2 days prior to the procedure – take 4 tablets in the morning The day before the procedure – take 1 tablet in the morning Morning of the procedure- take 1 tablet in the morning Example: if a patient is scheduled for a PTCA on Wednesday Monday - take 4 tablets in the morning Tuesday - take 1 tablet in the morning Wednesday - take 1 tablet in the morning

REMEMBER -ALL PATIENTS ARE TO BRING IN WITH THEM THE MEDICATIONS THEY ARE ON AS WELL AS THEIR BLOOD RESULTS

What to bring with you

A list of your current medications and safety net card if you have one

• Health insurance details
• Medicare card
• Referral letter /s
• X-rays and pathology results
• A list of your current medications
• Reading material
• An overnight bag and toiletries

Procedure Time

Takes approximately two - four hours depending on type of arrhythmia.

Length of Stay

You will be admitted to the Clinic on the morning of your procedure. Following your procedure you will be required to stay overnight for monitoring purposes.

Visitors

Your immediate family or carers can see you briefly in recovery after the procedure and when you are up and walking around. The staff will advise you of the time your family can collect you.

Results of the Procedure

Your Doctor will inform you of the results of your procedure and the appropriate treatment / management prior to your discharge.

Security

Secure lockers are provided for your belongings, however please do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables with you on the day.

Driving

You are not be permitted to drive a car, sign important documents, work etc for at least 24 hours following a General Anaesthetic. You will need to discuss with your referring cardiologist or the cardiologist performing the procedure when you can drive. So please make alternative transport arrangements.

Parking

For patients and Visitors to Eastern Heart Clinic an underground parking station is located off Barker Street which has a maximum of $16 per day..

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation is available through Healthy Heart program 9382-2286.

Health Insurance Coverage

Eastern Heart Clinic has contracts with all private health insurance funds. Eastern Heart Clinic is a NO GAP facility. Please confirm details with us and your fund prior to your procedure. If you have an excess or co-payment on your health insurance cover then you may incur some out of pocket expenses.

Medical Research

Eastern Heart Clinic, like most specialist centres, undertakes ongoing research projects. Research projects undergo stringent screening from a panel of scientists, doctors and members of the community who verify that
methods used are sound, safe and ethical. You may be asked if you would like to participate in a current research project while you are at the clinic.
Participation is entirely voluntary. If you think you might be interested you will be given a full explanation and information about what is to be tested, if any
alternatives are available and any risks and / or benefits you may experience. Written consent is a participation requirement of the study but is by no means a contractual arrangement as you can withdraw at any time.

What You can Reasonably Expect while in our Care:

You are entitled to be treated with care and dignity. You are entitled to a
clear explanation by your doctor of:

• Your condition, problem or disease.
• Any planned treatment or investigation.
• Any alternative procedures available.
• Possible side effects, the chances of success and any serious risks involved.

By presenting yourself to the Clinic you have implied general consent for treatment. However for specific procedures and for patients who may be having a general anaesthetic you will be required to give written consent after suitable information is given. You may withdraw your consent and refuse further treatment at any time. You have the right to know the identity and professional status of the individuals providing service to you. Staff employed by the Clinic are required to wear identification badges. You have the right to privacy when undergoing any treatment or procedure. Eastern Heart Clinic respects and upholds patient rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988. The National Privacy Principles apply to the Clinic from their introduction on December 21st 2001.

The Clinic has in place a Personal Information and Privacy Policy which outlines how the Clinic:

• Collects your health information
• What we do with it
• The quality and security of your data
• Your rights to access and correct information

You may access our Privacy Policy at anytime whilst at the Clinic.
You should expect the clinic environment to be safe and comfortable.

Your Responsibilities:

Try to be well informed about your condition and treatment. Please ask questions if you do not understand something. You have the responsibility to provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present condition, past illnesses, hospitalisations, medications and any other matters relating to your health.
It is in your interests to comply with the prescribed treatment or care and the pre and post operative instructions. You will be responsible for your own actions if you do not follow the prescribed instructions or refuse medical treatment. You should attend the recommended follow up appointments, or advise those concerned if this is not possible.
It is your responsibility to provide accurate details of your Medicare information and/or private health insurance. Please show consideration for other patients, staff and property of the Clinic. By complying with your responsibilities you are helping us help you.

Feedback:

The Clinic conducts periodic surveys to see how you felt about the treatment you received whilst at the Clinic. If you are unhappy about a particular aspect of care or a service we provide we would like to hear about it.
If you were not contacted to complete a survey but would like to make a comment please feel free to write to us:

 The Quality Activity Co-ordinator
 Eastern Heart Clinic
 PO Box 746
 Randwick 2031

If a Problem Arises:

Please tell your Doctor or the Nurses if a problem arises, in most cases they
will be able to help you. Should you not receive a satisfactory outcome you should request to see the Director of Nursing for clinical issues or the Office Manager for
administrative issues. They will investigate your complaint and advise you of the outcome or of options if further action is required.
If you wish to take your complaint further you may utilize the following options:

Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
Suite 1201, Level 12, St Martin’s Tower
31 Market Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9261 5855 Toll Free: 1800 640 695

NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
Level 13, 323 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9219 7444

Director General NSW Health
73 Miller Street
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060
Telephone: (02) 9391 9000

 

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: 

Please arrange prior to admission.

	Rooms	Kitchen/Laundry	Parking	Telephones	Fees	Reception
GEMINI HOTEL 800 222 300	Doubles, Twins, triples & Family rooms	Tea and coffee making facilities. A ‘Breakfast only’ restaurant. Guest laundry & dry cleaning services.	Complimentary Undercover parking plus Courtesy transfers to and from the hospital, airport or central station.	ISO/STD Direct Dial telephones.	(discounted rate for Hospital patients) Single $110 per night (room only) $122 per night (full breakfast) Double/Twin $110 per night (room only) $134 per night (full breakfast) Triple $105 per night (room only) $134 per night (full breakfast) Family (4) $130 per night (room only) $176 per night (full breakfast)	24 hours
AVOCA LODGE 9399 7779 / 0419399777	Self contained doubles/twin with private bathroom & kitchen. Double room with shared bathrooms & kitchen	Kitchen only in self contained. Guest laundry	None on premises, walking distance to Clinic.	A Blue phone is available in foyer.	(discounted rate for Hospital patients) Self contained for a double- $120 @night or $590 @ week Self contained for a single- $90 @night or $480 @ week Double rooms with shared facilities $80@ night or $380 @ week Single rooms with shared facilities $80@ night or $280 @ week	8am – 6.30pm
VERA ADDERELEY RESIDENCE (COULTER HOSTEL) 9382 2096	Single and Twin bedrooms	Shared facilities. Coin operated laundry.	No free parking.	Three public phones available.	Single rooms: Patient or Relative- $33@ night Single rooms with fold-up bed: Patient & Relative- $46@ night Twin rooms: Patient & Relative- $46@ night. Relative on own $33@night	Monday to Friday               8.00am – 5.30pm Saturday                              8.00am -3.30pm,      Sunday/public Holidays      8.30pm -5.30pm,

TRANSPORT OPTIONS:

Information for patients arriving at Central Station

There are two buses which you can catch at Eddie Avenue, across the road from Central Station. The Coogee bus # 372 and the Maroubra bus # 376. You need to ask the driver to let you off at the intersection of Belmore Road and High Street in Randwick.

Once you alight from the bus, cross Belmore Road at the crossing and then walk down High Street to the pedestrian crossing. Walk through the Prince of Wales Hospital entrance and immediately on your left is an enquiries desk. Ask for directions to either Eastern Heart Clinic or the Prince of Wales admissions office if you have been advised to go there first.

Information for patients arriving at Sydney Airport

If you are coming from the Sydney Airport you can catch the Bondi buses # 400 or 410. Ask at the information desk where to catch the Sydney buses to Bondi. Once on the bus ask the driver to let you off at the Prince of Wales stop on High Street. When you have alighted from the bus walk up High Street to the pedestrian crossing and follow the instruction as above.

Sydney bus timetables can be accessed either via phoning 131500 or the website at www.sydneybuses.info

PATIENT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR WEBSITE

 

NSW Isolated Patients Travel & Accomodation Assistance Scheme

IPTAAS provides some financial assistance to people, who need to travel more than 200kms one way, to obtain inpatient or outpatient specialist medical treatment.

More information is available in the NSW IPTAAS pamphlet that can be obtained from your doctor, local IPTAAS office or www.health.nsw.gov.au.