If you are coming to the Heart Institute for a procedure just for the day, you are considered a day patient or outpatient. As a short-stay patient, your procedure will be handled through the Day Unit. The following information will help your visit go smoothly.
Getting to the Day Unit
Allow time before your appointment to get from your car or transit to the Day Unit area. See location, parking and transit information for details.
The Day Unit located on the first floor of the Heart Institute. If you are unsure where to go, you can ask for directions at the Main Lobby information desk.
Before You Come
Take your usual medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Bring all of your medication with you in the original bottles.
Be sure you have your health card with you.
Do not bring any valuables with you.
Your doctor may have provided further instructions for you to follow prior to your appointment.
Do not use any scented skin products (talcum, lotion, perfume, cologne, aftershave, etc.)
Make arrangements to be driven home after your procedure.
If you live a considerable distance from Ottawa, check with your doctor to see if you should stay close to the Heart Institute on the night of your discharge. Arrangements for accommodations should be made in advance if this is the case.
If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, please notify your doctor.
While in the Day Unit
While in the Day Unit, you may be taken to another part of the Heart Institute to have a procedure performed.
You may have one visitor at a time during your stay in the Day Unit. The nurses may ask your visitors to leave from time to time in order to provide care.
It is important that your identified contact person leave a phone number with the staff of the Day Unit where they can be contacted, if they do not plan to stay. A nurse will call your contact person to inform them when the procedure is finished and to provide an update on the patient's condition, as well as an estimated discharge time.
Each bedside has a portable phone for use by patients. Photography and use of cell phones is not permitted within the Day Unit, but texting and other devices are acceptable.
Family members and caregivers in the Day Unit
Each patient may have one family member or caregiver visit their bedside in the Day Unit before and after a procedure.
Visitors must remain at the patient’s bedside in the Day Unit. Eating and drinking are prohibited.
Patients may identify one visitor and provide their phone number for staff to contact when the procedure is complete.
During the procedure, family members and caregivers are welcome to wait in the designated areas throughout the hospital.
Visitors may choose to use a waiting area in the hospital or return when the procedure is complete.
Once a patient is returned to the Day Unit, the nursing staff will contact their visitor contact as soon as visitation is possible.
Before You Leave
Make sure you know if there are any next steps following your procedure.
Do you have any further tests or procedures booked?
Were your medications changed?
When will you have a follow-up appointment?
If you parked in one of the hospital lots, be sure to pay for your parking at the machine located in the Main Lobby before you go to your car.
Consent to Contact
In preparation for your upcoming visit, please take the time to read the Facts and Questions (pdf) sheet. You will be asked at registration for your permission to be contacted for research purposes.
What does this mean for you?
Heart Institute healthcare staff will ask your permission for researchers to contact you.
Saying yes does NOT mean you are agreeing to participate in a study. It just permits the researchers to contact you.
Deciding not to allow permission for the researcher to contact you will NOT affect the care you receive.
If you have provided permission, researchers may contact you to discuss your potential for participation in the study.
