Day Medical & Infusion Centre (DMIC)

Our Department offers a wide range of services and treatments guided by Policies and Procedures in line with best evidence based practice. Any treatments that involve patients receiving a medication, the patient must obtain the medication prior to their appointment. The DMIC department does not provide medications for treatments unless otherwise stated to the individual.

• Monoclonal Antibodies infusions and injections
• Blood and Blood product administration
• CT Hydration (pre/post)
• Immunotherapy (for non-malignant cancer related conditions)
• IV fluid infusions (including IV electrolyte replacement)
• Intravenous antifungals, antibiotics, and antiviral medications
  • Other Intravenous medications given also include Actrema, Biphosphonates like Zoledronic acid and pamidronate and Avastin Infusions
• Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin therapy initiation and ongoing follow-up
• CVAD management
• Venesections (for those who are not suitable to have this done at Lifeblood)

Procedures:

• Renal Biopsy
• Tracheostomy Changes
• Complex acute wound dressings – including VAC dressings
• Bone marrow Biospy or BMAT procedures
• Ascitic Taps (abdominal paracentesis)
• Anti spasticity Treatment conducted by the Rehabilitation Team
• Lumbar Puncture procedures
• Synacthin Test/ Saline infusion Test for investigations

DMIC prioritises treatment for cohorts of individuals that require support from a hospital setting. Services that can be completed within the community for example, a General Practitioner Practice, are not appropriate for the DMIC department.

Our service is a Nurse led unit, and our team is made up of experienced and skilled professionals, such as Registered Nurses and Administrators. Medical support is provided by the General Medical Team, or respective Haematology Team if patients are receiving care for their Haematological condition.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Residing outside of SESLHD catchment area, with no need for tertiary level care.
• Residing within SESLHD, but outside of the St George catchment area (click here for catchment area) and care is able to be provided at patients SESLHD catchment hospital.
• Patient is not medically clear for discharge or is currently an inpatient
• Children under 16 years cannot be treated in DMIC, children between the ages of 16-18 years MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for duration of treatment.
• Patients that require treatment exceeding 8 hours
• Invalid referrals
• Administration of cytotoxic drugs for a malignant cancer indication
• Chronic wound management

Please note the following whilst completing the referral:

• Name, DOB, Address (MRN if internal hospital referral)
• Patients contact details
• Clinical treatment required – clear instructions of what treatment is being requested
• Medication Information (Drug, dose, route, frequency and time)

Referrals that do not meet the above criteria will not be processed by our team and will be sent back to the referrer.

We accept referrals from Specialist Consultants or General Practitioners. A referral completed by a Specialist will last 3 months and a one completed by a GP will last 1 year. Indefinite GP referrals are accepted only for the subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) program only.

Our administration team will call the patient or referring employee if the patient’s referral is expiring.

Please use this referral form and send to this email address SESLHD-STG-DMIC@health.nsw.gov.au or fax to 9113 1923.

Please ensure that all the mandatory information is completed on the form. The referral form ensures that you do not miss any important information to enable a timely and appropriate referral. External referrals that are sent in with a letter head from the MO clearly stating all essential clinical information (as indicated in the referral criteria section above) may also be accepted.

A member of our administration team will contact the patient with an appointment date once your referral has been triaged. If you have not heard from anyone from our team by [two weeks or even 4 weeks] please call 9113 2333 to follow up with your referral.

If an appointment is missed or cancelled, we will reach out to the referring medical officer by letter.

Monday to Friday – 07:30 to 17:30 (For the public 08:00 to 17:00)

Saturday – 08:00 to 16:30 (For the public 08:30 to 16:00)

We are closed Sundays and Public Holidays

DMIC contact details are:

Phone: (02) 9113 2333

Fax: (02) 9113 1923

We are currently located in the Day Medical Infusion Centre on Level 2 East in the Tower Ward Block at St George Hospital.

We are a Medicare service and your treatment will be bulk billed if you have Medicare. If you do not have Medicare you will incur a service fee in addition to extra charges depending on your treatment. If you have Private Health Insurance, you will need to pay the service and additional fees, and then liaise directly with your insurer to ascertain what can be reimbursed to you.

In the event a patient presents to DMIC feeling unwell they will be referred for medical review by their GP/Treating specialist or Nursing Staff may escort them to the Emergency Department prior to initiating treatment and the booking will be rescheduled. It is recommended that if you are feeling unwell prior to your appointment to follow up with your referring doctor and advise DMIC admin staff to reschedule your appointment.

• If you need to reschedule or have missed your appointment, please contact our department as soon as possible. Please note that if we are unable to reach you within 14 days, your referral may be returned to your referring doctor.
• Upon your arrival, kindly check in with the administrator at the front desk. You will be asked to wait in the waiting room, and a nurse will come to escort you when they are available.
• To ensure a smooth flow of appointments, we kindly ask that you arrive close to your scheduled appointment time, neither too early nor too late.
• We recommend bringing your own food and beverages, as our department has limited food options available.
• Due to space constraints and safety considerations, we advise that relatives wait in the waiting room during your treatment or return to pick you up afterward.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.