2.2.6. St John of God ICU (SJOG)

SJOG Bendigo is the local private hospital and is equipped with a co-located ICU and CCU. It has two ventilators and a haemofilter.  

Patients ready for ward discharge at BH may not be able to be cared for on the ward at SJOG (i.e. threshold for ICU admission is lower).

Three types of patients will be transferred to SJOG ICU –

1. Elective transfer of private patient due to patient preference
2. Semi-elective transfer of private patient due to lack of ICU beds at BH
3. Non-elective transfer of public patient due to statewide lack of public ICU beds. This only occurs under the auspices of ARV or with prior approval of the Executive Director of Surgery. This approval will be sought by the Director (or the duty consultant if Director absent) if there is no ICU bed for a category 1 elective surgical case.

Only “non-elective” transfers of critically ill public patients need to go through ARV. Otherwise, local ambulance will suffice.

Six things to do before a patient is transferred –

1. Make sure private health cover (if relevant) is adequate – ANUM will liaise with SJOG.  
2. Make sure the pertinent consultant is happy – you
3. Make sure the BH treating team consultant is happy
4. Make sure there is a receiving SJOG treating specialist
5. Make sure the receiving SJOG ICU/CCU consultant is happy
6. Book the ambulance – ANUM.