Patient Safety
All medical and surgical procedures are accompanied by various risks. In general terms, serious, life threatening complications are far less likely (more than ten times less likely) with gastric balloon therapy when compared against the most commonly performed weight loss surgery in Australia.
We take patient safety, and in particular the risk of complications and side effects, very seriously, and we employ a number of world’s best systems to prevent, monitor and manage issues if they arise. The BMI Clinic has the most advanced patient safety management system in the world. Below are just some of the initiatives we employ.
After Hours Patient Help Line
Sick patients, and other medical practitioners involved in their care, can access our After Hours Support Line (1300 376 026). Nurses monitor this line and have direct access to BMI doctors. Help is never more than a phone call away – any time of the day or night.
IV Hydration & Meds
All patients receive IV hydration and medications in the days following your procedure. The routine use of IV medications enable us to closely manage the discomfort and nausea which are common in the first few days following bariatric procedures.
Comprehensive Medication Regimen
From our extensive experience we have developed a comprehensive medication regimen to optimise your recovery and minimise side effects. All patients are encouraged to purchase a Medications Pack which includes all of the medications that they may need to optimise their safety and comfort at any point in their treatment.
Aggressive Management of Nausea & Vomiting
The combination of intensive symptoms management, medications and the other initiatives outlined above means that currently the rate of any vomiting following insertion or adjustment of an intragastric balloon with The BMI Clinic is between 5 – 10% (compared to 80 – 90% seen in most other practices around the world).