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| Word | Definitions |
| Aboriginal Liaison officers | Provide cultural support to consumers with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. They can assist you in communicating with health professionals, understanding medical procedures and routines, and participating in decisions about your care. Additionally, they can help connect you to community services during discharge planning. |
| Additional support | Services to support you at home in addition to what you previously had before your surgery. |
| Administration staff | A staff members who help with tasks such as admission paper work, booking appointments and contacting the right department or healthcare professional. |
| Admitted | When you enter a hospital as a patient to receive treatment and/or care |
| Airway difficulties | Any condition that impacts adequate oxygenation and ventilation during surgical anaesthesia, such as neck or jaw movement restriction, vocal cord problems and known history of difficult intubation. |
| Allergies | An allergy is when your immune system reacts to something that is harmless to most people. The body reacts to something such as medication or food that is harmless to most people. |
| Allied health professional | Allied health professionals are university-trained health practitioners e.g. physiotherapist or occupational therapist who work as part of your healthcare team that help you improve your quality of life and to care for yourself. They help in non-surgical treatment programs, getting you ready for surgery and your recovery after surgery. |
| Alternative therapies | Evidence-based alternatives to surgery, often referred to as conservative management, divert or delay the need for surgery – for example by alleviating symptoms, including managing pain and restoring function. |
| Anaemia | When you don’t have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin. They are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. It’s important to find and treat the cause of the anaemia to prevent it coming back. |
| Anaesthesia | Anesthesia uses drugs called anesthetics to keep you from feeling pain during medical procedures. Local and regional anesthesia numbs a specific area of your body. General anesthesia makes you temporarily unconscious (fall asleep) so you can have more invasive surgeries. |
| Anaesthetic nurse | Assistant to the anaesthetist. They prepare the environment and equipment to administer the anaesthetic, ask you questions, monitor you intraoperatively and as you recover. |
| Anaesthetist | Highly qualified specialist doctors with unique clinical knowledge and skills. They administer anaesthesia and monitor patients during surgery. |
| Antibiotics | Medicines that treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria |
| Anti-coagulants | Anticoagulations are a type of blood thinner. They are medicines that slow down your body's process of making a blood clot. |
| Atrial fibrillation | Known as AF, is a type of arrhythmia, which means that the heart beats fast and irregularly (abnormal heart rhythm). Some of the known causes of AF include chronic high blood pressure, heart valve diseases and hyperthyroidism. |
| Blood test | A sample of blood that is reviewed in a laboratory. Blood tests can be used to assess your general health, as well as help your doctor diagnose or monitor a range of conditions. |
| Blood thinners | Medicines that help to prevent blood clots from forming in veins and arteries. |
| Breathing problems | Also known as shortness of breath is when you feel like you can't get enough air into your lungs. Health conditions you may have can cause breathing problems e.g. lung problems such as asthma, COPD, heart problems and infections of the airways such as COVID-19 or flu. |
| Care-coordinators | Provide support to you and your support person. They help guide you through the healthcare system and assist your transition from hospital to home. Some care coordinators support with certain groups or programs. |
| Carer | A support person or people who look after someone who needs medical or emotional support or help with their day-to-day living. This may be a family member, friend or paid carer. |
| Catheters | A tube that is inserted into your bladder to drain your urine. |
| Chronic condition | A long-term illness (been present for six months or longer) that might change the way you live (medications you have to take or lifestyle decisions to make), see yourself and relate to others. Some examples are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, osteoporosis and arthritis. |
| Community services | Support that you might receive from community organisations, other people in your local area, social group, cultural group or religious groups. |
| Complexity of your surgery | Refers to how difficult and risky the surgery is for the patient. Complexity is impacted by factors such as: the surgery type, patient condition, potential risks, length of surgery and time it takes to recover. Major surgery usually indicates higher complexity and risk with a potentially longer recovery compared to minor surgery. |
| Complications | A medical problem that occurs during surgery e.g. blood loss, or after the surgery finishes e.g. infection. |
| Daily tasks | An activity you need to do or finish in the day for example cooking a meal, getting ready for work, shopping or gardening. |
| Diabetes | Chronic condition in which the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Blood glucose levels are normally regulated by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Diabetes occurs when there is a problem with this hormone and how it works in the body. |
| Diarrhoea | Loose or watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. Acute diarrhoea is the sudden onset of 3 or more loose stools per day, lasting less than 14 days. The most common cause of acute diarrhoea is an infection of the intestines, such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Some medications can also cause diarrhoea. |
| Dietitian | Dietitians offer advice on food and nutrition to help you improve your health and wellbeing. A dietitian can help you manage health conditions such as: diabetes, obesity and malnutrition. |
| Disability Liaison officers | Work with consumers and healthcare teams to provide safer, accessible, and more inclusive care for people with disabilities during hospital admissions and healthcare appointments. |
| Discharge | The process of leaving the hospital after surgery. It involves talking with your healthcare team to develop a plan for your recovery and your ongoing care. There are discharge options which can involve going home or moving to a different area of the hospital or a hospital closer to home. |
| Discharge plan | A personalised plan written by your hospital doctor and healthcare team outlining what surgery you have had, what has happened in hospital and plans to assist in your recovery. This is sent to other healthcare professionals involved in your care (such as a GP, pharmacist or carer). |
| Discharge Summary | A personalised plan written by your hospital doctor and healthcare team outlining what surgery you have had, what has happened in hospital and plans to assist in your recovery. This is sent to other healthcare professionals involved in your care (such as a GP, pharmacist or carer). |
| Early mobilisaiton | Standing and walking as soon as it is safe to do so after surgery. This can reduce the risk of complications, speed up recovery and reduce your time in hospital. |
| Emergency surgery | Immediate, unplanned surgery to treat trauma or acute illness following a presentation to an emergency department, or an emergency admission directly to a ward. |
| Enhanced recovery after surgery nurse co-ordinator | A person who helps supports you through your journey on an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. ERAS programs are structured evidence-based program that aim to minimise stress on the body before, during and after surgery, promoting faster recovery and reduced complications. |
| Evidence | Also refeerred to as evidence-based or evidence-based practice is an approach to care that incorporates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. |
| Exercise program | A individualised routine of exercises for you to complete, to stay physically and mentally fit. Some exercise programs you can complete individually and others may need a health professional to help you. |
| Exisiting services | A service or extra support supplied by a provider that was utilised before you had your surgery - for example, help with house work or shopping. |
| Falls risk | How likely it is that you will fall. There are things that can increase your risk of falling such as visual impairment, poor balance, medications, hazards in the environment and difficulty walking. |
| Fasting procedures | Stopping eating or drinking for a certain amount of time before a test or surgery this includes mints and chewing gum. |
| General practitioner (local doctor) | A doctor who is also qualified in general medical practice. GPs are often the first point of contact for someone, of any age, who feels sick or has a health concern. They treat a wide range of medical conditions and health issues and some undertake further education in areas such as women's health or paediatrics. |
| Geriatrician | A geriatrician is a doctor with specialised training in caring for the health of older individuals (those aged 65 and over). They diagnose and treat age-related medical issues such as memory loss, incontinence, and balance changes. During your surgical journey, they can help support the management of multiple complex conditions including medication management and play an important role in shared decision-making about whether surgery is right for you. |
| Hand therapy clinics | A clinic generally run by allied health staff that assesses and treat hand, elbow and shoulder conditions. These clinics can be an option for a non-surgical treatment such as carpel tunnel and trigger finger. |
| Health Conditions | Any disease or illness that you have that can affect you physical or mental well-being. It might change the way you live, see yourself and relate to others. |
| Health history | A record of information about your health, including any health conditions, diagnostic testing, or medications you might be on. It can also be called your healthcare record. |
| Healthcare team | A team of healthcare professionals who will help you to ensure you have the right support throughout your entire surgical journey. Your healthcare team will differ depending on your needs. |
| Healthy diet | Eating a wide variety of foods from each of the 5 food groups daily, to keep you in good health and protect you from chronic disease. |
| Heart disease | Broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. |
| Heart rate | The speed at which your heart is beating. It is also known as your pulse. |
| High or low blood pressure. | Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. The medical name for high blood pressure is hypertension and for low blood pressure is hypotension. |
| Inpatient ward | A group of rooms or a section of the hospital where you will stay post-surgery while you recover and receive treatment. |
| Intimacy | Intimacy in a relationship is a feeling of being physically (sexually intimate) and emotionally connected and supported. |
| Length of stay | The length of time you spend in hospital from the moment you are admitted to when you are discharged from the hospital service. |
| Making up a bed | Have a freshly made bed in an area of your home that is easy to access or get in and out of after surgery. |
| Medical specialist | Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and training in a specific area of medicine. You usually need a letter of referral from your general practitioner (GP) to make an appointment to see a specialist. |
| Medication plan | A document listing your regular medications and any new medications post surgery. It should guide you on what the medications are for and when to stop, start and restart medications. The resources section of My Surgical Journey has a downloadable medication plan you can use. |
| Memory and thinking | These are elements of cognition and can be used in the context of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is when you have problems remembering things and solving problems. Cognitive impairment is not an illness. It can be caused by many conditions. |
| Needles | A thin, hollow metal rod with a sharp point. It is used with a syringe to put a medication into someone's body, or to take blood out. |
| Non-surgical treatments | Non-surgical treatments are care that includes evidence-based alternatives to surgery meaning treatments can divert or delay the need for surgery. |
| Nurse | A healthcare professional who provides collaborative care to individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. |
| Nurse unit manager | Experienced nurses who supervise and manage a nursing team in hospitals, aged care facilities or in outpatient clinics. They can be a good point of call to escalate any issues. |
| Nutrition | The process of getting from our food what we need for health and growth |
| Objects high up in cupboards | Reaching overhead for items, especially heavy items, can increase the risk of a fall or injury. Consider putting regulalry used items in easy to reach places. |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnoea | A condition that occurs when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, so not enough or no air can get into the lungs. This can cause you to stop breathing for periods of time before restarting normal breathing rhythms. |
| Occupational therapist | Help people to overcome various limitations so that they can live more independent lives. They work in many environments including hospitals and community health centres and use different techniques and equipment to help build independence. |
| Optimisation programs | Specific programs that are evidence-based and designed to have patients in the best physiological state possible before surgery and enhance recovery after surgery. |
| Orthopedic clinics | A specialist clinic with orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in diagnosing, treating and preventing musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, both surgically and non-surgically, in people of all ages. The musculoskeletal system includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. system. |
| Oxygen saturation level | The level of oxygen circulating in your blood. |
| Pathologists and scientists. | A pathologist is a doctor who studies disease. By studying samples of body fluids or tissues in a laboratory, a pathologist can help your doctor diagnose a medical condition, or monitor the progress of a disease. Medical scientists perform medical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids and tissues to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. |
| Patient liaison officers | Provide support and advice and make sure the rights and interests of patients are met. This includes helping patients, their families, staff and management to resolve complaints. |
| Pathologists and scientists. | A pathologist is a doctor who studies disease. By studying samples of body fluids or tissues in a laboratory, a pathologist can help your doctor diagnose a medical condition, or monitor the progress of a disease. Medical scientists perform medical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids and tissues to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. |
| Patient liaison officers | Provide support and advice and make sure the rights and interests of patients are met. This includes helping patients, their families, staff and management to resolve complaints. |
| Patient services assistant | Provide support to patients and their families, by attending to patient needs for example providing meals, transporting patients to different parts of the hospital and providing cleaning services. |
| Patient support unit staff | Care for surgical patients having surgery in operating suites and day surgery units. They work in a large team who care for patients from admission to discharge. |
| Perioperative nurse | Care for surgical patients having surgery in operating suites and day surgery units. They work in a large team who care for patients from admission to discharge. |
| Pets that jump up on you or walk around your feet | Having pets that jump or walk around your feet can increase your risk of falling. It is important to be aware of this to reduce the risk of injury. |
| Pharmacist | A health professional who specialises in preparing and dispensing medications, including medicines, ointments and tablets. They also advise members of the public and health professionals in how to use medications safely. |
| Physical activity | Physical activity includes any exercises or body movements. It can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases. Aim to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. |
| Physiotherapist | Is a healthcare professional that assesses, diagnoses, treats and works to prevent disease and disability through movement and exercise. Physiotherapists are experts in body movement and function. |
| Polypharmacy | The use of 5 or more medicines to prevent or treat medical conditions. |
| post anaesthesia care unit nurse | Responsible for caring for patients immediately following a surgery or procedure involving anaesthetic. You will see them in the recovery unit as they monitor your vital signs as you awake from anaesthetic. |
| preadmission nurse | They work in day surgery units and pre-admission departments at hospitals. They work collaboratively with doctors to assess patients’ healthcare needs for the planned surgery. They provide education and support to help you prepare for surgery. They may also be your first point of call when you get to hospital. |
| Psychologist | Educated in the science of how people feel, behave and react. They provide help with issues such as anxiety, depression, stress and eating disorders. Psychologists do not prescribe medications but use a number of scientifically-supported tests and treatments to determine and support the mental health and wellbeing of people. |
| Radiologist | A medical professional who specialises in using medical imaging technologies to diagnose and treat injury and disease. |
| Ready-made meals | Meals that have already been prepared, and you may only need to heat them before eating them. It can be helpful to make meals and freeze in preparation for coming home after surgery. |
| Recovery | A return to former or better health following illness or surgery. |
| Rehabilitation | Rehabilitation services aim to increase your independence and physical function after surgery and to return you to as much of your previous ability as possible. Depending on the care you require, it can occur in hopsital, the community or at home. |
| Rehabilitation centre | A public or private centre that provides therapy and training for your recovery. They usually have a range of clinicians such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. |
| Rehabilitation program | A rehabilitation program contains a structured series of activities to support your recovery. This might help to assist you in remaining or returning to work, or maintaining or improving your daily activities. |
| RUSON (Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing). | Work in acute or subacute care and aged care settings as part of the healthcare team, helping nurses to provide patient care. They are supervised by registered nursing staff, and may help with daily living activities such as personal hygiene and mobility. |
| Safe at home | Not likely to be harmed, exposed to danger, or risks within your home. This is both physical and emotional safety. |
| Scans | An examination of the inside of your body, these can include x-rays, CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound |
| Seating you can’t get out of | If you have seating that is too low and doesn't have arm rests you may have difficulty standing or need help at home after surgery. It is helpful to think about this before going into hospital. |
| Sedation | When medications are given to help you feel more relaxed during a procedure |
| Self-directed exercise | Exercises or an exercise program that may have been provided to you, and that you can complete by yourself |
| Shared decision making | Shared decision making ensures you and your healthcare team are making treatment and healthcare decisions together. It means you fully understand your medical treatment options so you can weigh up options along with the benefits and risks before making a decision. |
| Short-term services | These are services and support such as personal care and home care that are short-term for those who need extra help at home after a public hospital stay for example Post Acute Care Program. |
| Signs and symptoms | Any characteristic that may need further investigation by your healthcare team. Signs and symptoms are a feeling or experience that you might have about your health that can be observed and measured by tests. Worrying signs and symptoms might need further investigation by your healthcare team. |
| Signs of infection | Certain indicators that might mean you have an infection . Signs of infection will need further investigation by your healthcare team. |
| Sleep pattern | Your schedule of bedtime and wake-up time, as well as how well you sleep and your nap behaviour. Sleep pattern also includes if, when, and how long your sleep was interrupted. |
| Social worker | Provide help for patients with concerns about personal, practical or family matters. They can offer advice on a wide range of issues, including financial matters, getting legal help, accommodation, childcare, transport, home help, counselling and bereavement. |
| Speech pathologist | Work with people, their family and carers, other professionals, and the community to improve the lives of people with communication and/or swallowing/mealtime difficulties. |
| Sub-acute nurse | Provide specialised nursing care to patients post-surgery during their rehabilitation and recovery phase, often in rehabilitation centres or in the community. |
| Suitable home environment | This is a home environment where you feel supported and safe and can move around the home safely. |
| Support person | This can be a family member or friend who can help you after your surgery. They might take you to appointments, help with exercise or other daily tasks such as shopping or cleaning. |
| Supports at home | This refers to your support person/people, short-term or pre-existing services. |
| Surgeon | A medical practitioner that is trained to perform surgery. Surgeons generally train and specialise in a specific area such as othopaedics or neurology. |
| Surgery | Is an operation to investigate or treat a disease or injury. |
| Surgery access nurse | Communicate with patients while they are on the preparation (waitlist) and assist booking patients onto a surgical list to ensure they receive surgical care at the right place and at the time. |
| Surgery Risks | All surgery carries risk to the person, risk being the chance of injury or mortality occurring. The factors that determine the level of risk include pre-existing medical conditions, the body part that is affected, the seriousness of the medical condition, the extent of surgery (major versus minor surgery), the complexity of surgery and the expected recovery time. |
| Surgical outcomes | The result you have after having surgery. |
| Swelling | A part of your body that has become bigger because of illness or injury. It is important to report any swelling to your healthcare team. |
| Telehealth | Having a consultation with a healthcare professional by phone or video call |
| Temperature | A measure of how hot or cold your body is. A temporary rise in body temperature is called a fever. |
| Test results | Any outcome of testing such as blood, urine or tissue samples along with tests of organ function such as a cardiac stress test that might help health professionals learn more about your health. |
| Treatment options | Commonly used terminology in shared decision making when you are provided with a set of possibilities and are able to choose what is right for you from those possibilities. Ask your healthcare team what options you have available and what are the risks of these options. |
| Treatment plan | Explains the support provided by each member of your healthcare team, who is responsible for what and when. Your treatment plan should be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet your needs. |
| Vital signs | Objective measurements of the body's essential functions, including temperature, heart rate, rate of breathing and blood pressure. They can help the healthcare team evaluate your recovery after surgery. |
| Walking recommendations | Suggestions that are made by your healthcare team to help keep you safe when walking after surgery. These may include the distance recommended to walk, using walking aids, crutches or a walking frame to reduce your risk of falling after surgery. |
| Ward clerks | Provide administrative support to healthcare staff in order to ensure the efficient operation of the ward. They are responsible for providing direct patient care services, managing patient records, and coordinating with other departments and staff. |
| Wound | A cut through the skin that is made during surgery, and therefore needs to heal. |
| X-rays | Uses an electrical device to create two-dimensional pictures of internal body structures. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing conditions or diseases that affect the bones and chest. |