Overview
The Short Stay Unit is a 22-bed facility providing care for patients who come through the Emergency Department and require short hospital admission for monitoring or treatment.
The role of the Short Stay Unit is to assist with patient flow and reduce patient waiting times in the Emergency Department.
Special staff called ‘Access and Flow Navigators’ will determine which patients can be transferred to the Short Stay Unit. Often patients suitable for the Short Stay Unit will be identified during triage. Find out more about the triage process.
The expected length of stay in the Short Stay Unit is between four and 24 hours. Patients can usually then return home.
Getting here
Find us at:
300 Princes Highway
Werribee Victoria 3030
For more information on getting here, visit Werribee Mercy Hospital .
Location details
The Short Stay Unit is a separate building located on the corner of Hoppers Lane and Princes Hwy, next to the Catherine McAuley Centre.
How can people get access?
Patients and visitors can access the Short Stay Unit via the Catherine McAuley Building (the main entrance). You will need to undertake COVID-19 screening before you enter the hospital.
At the lifts, turn right and walk through the Health Independence Program corridor. At the end of the corridor, pass through two automatic doors to access the Short Stay Unit ramp. If the doors do not open automatically, use the touchless ‘Exit’ button located on the wall nearby.
Your appointment
What to do before
The Short Stay Unit does not operate by appointment. Patients are admitted to the Short Stay Unit from the Emergency Department. This process is called ‘triage’. Find out more about the triage process.
What to bring
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your condition
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
What to expect on the day
Please be aware that patients with serious health problems will be seen first.
On arrival at the Emergency Department, you will be assessed by an experienced triage nurse who will assign you to a category depending on the clinical urgency of your condition. Other staff members, called ‘Access and Flow Navigators’, will determine which patients can be transferred to the Short Stay Unit. This often occurs during. Find out more about the triage process.
The expected length of stay in the Short Stay Unit is between four and 24 hours.
More information
Team Composition
In the Short Stay Unit, you may be supported by:
- doctors
- nurses
- access and flow navigators
- allied health staff
- clerical staff
- patient service assistants.
Discharge information
After your time in the Short Stay Unit, a letter will be sent to your GP or preferred medical centre. The letter will inform them of your presentation to the Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit, and any treatment you received.
Additional support
Please make a follow-up appointment with your GP shortly after your visit to the Emergency Department and Short Stay Unit.
Opportunities to be involved in research
There are opportunities to be involved in research.
Who to call if you have concerns afterwards
NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24
For health professionals
The Short Stay Unit is a 24-hour service, providing care for patients who present to the Emergency Department with low-acuity health conditions and require short admission for observation or defined treatment.
Procedural information
You can contact Short Stay Unit consultants by calling the Werribee Mercy Hospital main reception at `03 8754 3000. The Short Stay Unit consultants are usually available to GPs for questions relating to emergency patient management. Consultants on duty are also expected to be involved in patient care, so there may be times when it takes longer to respond to your call.
How to prepare the patient
N/A
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