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Skip BreadcrumbsHome Before Surgery Going to the Hospital Dartmouth General Hospital

 Dartmouth General Hospital

Capital Health - Dartmouth General

Dartmouth General Hospital provides services to approximately 120,000 people in Dartmouth and surrounding areas. Hospital services include 24-hour emergency care, inpatient medical and surgical care and critical care. The surgery program includes general surgery, urology, gynaecology, ear nose and throat, orthopaedics, plastics, oral maxillofacial, ophthalmology, vascular and dentistry services.

Click on the tabs below for hospital information and your final “To Do” hospital checklist.

Checklist

Print off this handy checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything before your surgery! 

Final Pre-Hospital “To-Do” Checklist

Topic

Checklist Item

Food & Drink

 

 

Eat a light meal the night before your surgery

 

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day of your surgery

Shower

 

Shower the night before or morning of your surgery

 

Remove all nail polish and cosmetics (lipstick, blush, eye makeup)

Things to Bring

 

Enough comfy clothes to last you up to five days, just in case

 

A pair of lightweight supportive shoes with non-slip soles (like running shoes)

 

Non-scented toiletries (toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, razor, powder, etc.)

 

Glasses, hearing aids or dentures (and cases to put them in)

 

Walker and crutches

 

For hip surgery patients, dressing equipment (long-handled shoehorn, sock aid and a “reacher”). For knee surgery patients, bring dressing equipment if recommended for you, or you are currently using them at home.

 

Check your equipment list to make sure you have the necessary aids you require for home.

 

Any medications you are currently taking, bring in their original containers

 

Reading materials (books, magazines, etc.)

 

Do not bring any valuables (jewelry, cash, credit cards, cell phone)

Paperwork

 

Clearly label all your personal items

 

A list of your current medications

 

The name, phone number and address of your pharmacy

 

Your family doctor’s name, phone number, address and fax number

 

Your health card and health insurance card

 

A list of your family and friends’ addresses and telephone numbers

Planning Ahead

 

Arrange your home to make sure you can move around easily when you return from your surgery – move around furniture if you need to.

 

Arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up from the hospital

 

Arrange for a friend or family member to stay with you (or close by) for at least the first two to three days after you return home from surgery to help you.

 

Find a place for your pets to stay while you are in the hospital

 

Plan grocery delivery services before going to the hospital

Where to Go

It’s the day of your surgery and you’re ready to go. So how do you get to your hospital?

Dartmouth General Hospital – Capital Health
325 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4G8
Switchboard: (902) 465-8300

Admitting is located on the main floor (2nd level) of the building. As you enter the Main Entrance of the hospital, turn right. You’ll need to register here on the day of your surgery, and hospital staff will direct you to where you need to go.

View Map

Parking

The Dartmouth General Hospital parking lots have more than 500 parking spaces in four different parking lots. Most of these spaces are available to the patients and their visitors in the main hospital parking lot.

Parking Rates:

Hospital parking:  $1.00 per hour

$5.00 a day (daily maximum, single entry)

Please bring your ticket with you, because you will need to pay at the Pay Station inside the Main Entrance of the Dartmouth General Hospital.

There is also a public parking lot located next to the hospital on Mount Hope Ave. The cost is a flat rate of $2.00 per day (the machine accepts $1 and $2 coins). You will need to enter the hospital from the side entrance. Once inside the building, walk down the long corridor to the elevators, and take the elevator to the 2nd level (main floor). 

Visiting Hours

We know how important friends and family are in helping you recover. As a patient, you will work with your nurse to choose visiting hours for your friends and family.

Visitors should try to coordinate with the hospital before they arrive. Patients can get tired very quickly, so please try to limit your visitors per patient and keep your visits and conversations brief. For the General Public, patient rest periods are from 2:30pm to 3:30pm daily.

On-Site Food

The cafeteria is located on the 1st floor of the building, and is open the following hours:

Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 3pm

Note: Cash and debited are both accepted.

Patients

The hospital offers three types of accommodations for patients:

Standard Ward—three or four beds per room

Semi-private—two beds per room

Private—one bed per room

Hospitals are very busy places filled with many patients, so it is not always possible to give you the room you asked for. However, we will try our hardest to transfer you to your preferred room as soon as it becomes available.

There is a daily charge for semi-private and private rooms, which may be covered by your private health insurance.

Friends & Family

Check out the Yellow Pages for a list of hotels in the HRM and surrounding area to enjoy a safe and comfortable stay while visiting your loved ones.

As well, feel free to contact any of these hotels to check on pricing and availability – some offer discount prices for families of inpatients!

Places to stay in Halifax