General Comments
This booklet is intended as a practical guide to patient care for registrars, medical officers, interns and medical students attached to the gynaecology units at the University of the Witwatersrand Academic Hospitals. Anyone can use it.
This protocol was written to help registrars, medical officers, interns & students to cope more easily with the daily demands of working in gynaecology units. There will be differences of opinion with the protocol, between consultants & between units. With knowledge, experience & common sense, deviations from this protocol are not a problem if justified.
Readers who disagree with something should offer their opinions. This way the protocol can be improved.
STUDENTS
Students are expected to be on call with their units. This booklet may assist students to manage patients, but help must primarily come from the doctors.
KEEPING PATIENTS INFORMED
Whatever is done in the wards, in outpatients or in theatre, the patient must be kept fully informed at all times. Whether taking a blood test, preparing for an operation, prescribing antibiotics, sending someone for radiotherapy….. explain everything. Always ask if there are any questions. Appropriate words (no jargon, no abbreviations) & language are necessary. If English is not known by the patient the indigenous S African language must be used. Where possible, the indigenous language should be used in preference. Where other languages are needed, try to find someone proficient.
KEEPING MEMBERS OF STAFF INFORMED
Everyone benefits from being informed: tell colleagues what is happening; tell the sisters. Check that information is accurate & complete. In overworked & sometimes chaotic hospitals, good communication saves time, prevents mishaps, & keeps everyone working together.
USE OF THIS PROTOCOL
This protocol is intended for reference. It should also be read through by doctors at the beginning of their attachment to their gynaecology unit.