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Hospitalisatie 18

Patients stay on this ward after heart surgery, such as heart valve surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic surgery. This ward also houses patients who receive a heart pump (LVAD) implantation and patients who need to undergo surgery on blood vessels. Patients are also admitted for observation.

To make your stay as smooth as possible, we provide you (and your family) with all the necessary practical information on this page.

Do you have any further questions? Do not hesitate to speak to a nurse or caregiver on the ward.

On this page

Address

UZ Leuven gasthuisberg campus
Hospitalisatie 18
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Directions and services

Mail for patients

Would you like to send the patient a card or a letter? Please put the patient's full first name and surname before the address above.

Location and accessibility

View the full map

Parking

Parking rates

Visiting hours

  • Visits are possible every day at set times:

    • Weekdays: from 16:00 to 20:00
    • Weekends: from 14:00 to 20:00

  • Come with a maximum of 2 visitors at a time. Minor children belonging to the patient's family do not count towards this number.

  • Limit your visit to 2 hours.

  • Avoid visiting when you yourself are sick.

  • In a double room, both patients may receive visitors at the same time. Make arrangements with each other to avoid large crowds in the room.

  • Please observe our house rules.

  • On the day of admission, a companion may accompany the patient until the first contact with the nurse or doctor. Afterwards, we kindly ask them to leave the ward.
  • Regular short visits are often more appreciated than longer visits. 
  • During patient care or doctor's visits, we kindly ask you to leave the room.
  • We may end or limit the visit if we sense that it is too tiring for the patient.
  • Do not be alarmed by alarm signals in the corridor or room. These are warning signals for the doctor, nurses and healthcare staff.

Contact

Urgent help needed?

In case of urgent medical problems:

  • contact your GP
  • call +32 16 33 22 11 (general reception) and ask to be connected to the waiting doctor of the vascular or cardiac surgery department.

In case of medical emergencies:

  • go to the emergency department as soon as possible or call 112

Preparing for your stay

What to bring upon your admission

Always bring your eID and contact details of your next of kin and your GP. Read what else you should bring for a smooth admission, what to bring for your child and what to do in case of an occupational accident.

Medication

Make a list of all the medicines you take. If possible, bring them to the hospital in their original packaging. It is important for your doctor to be aware of the medicines you are already taking in order to avoid dangerous reactions. During your admission, all necessary medication will be provided for you.

Whom to inform of your admission

Remember to inform your health insurance provider, hospitalisation insurance provider and your GP as soon as your admission is planned and arranged.

Help prevent theft

It is better to leave large sums of money, jewellery or other valuables at home. Do not leave your personal belongings such as your smartphone or wallet unattended in your room. Store them in the locker. If you leave the room for procedures or examinations, you can give the key to the locker to a nurse for safekeeping.

Single room

On this ward, you can request a single room. The admissions department will take this into account according to availability. Single rooms are used at most for patients requiring isolation and critically ill patients. Please check in advance with your insurer whether the extra cost of a single room is included in your insurance policy.

Overnight stay with family

On this ward, a relative may stay room in with patients in a single room. A fee per night is charged for this through the hospital bill. You can also use the family residence or a nearby hotel at preferential rates. See options and rates.

During your stay

Guidelines

Care provision on the ward

During your stay on the ward, you will receive daily medical and nursing care. The ward physician will visit you to examine and discuss your medical condition. Nursing and care staff are responsible for direct patient care (e.g. hygiene, wound care, medication). If necessary, you will undergo additional examinations (e.g. X-ray) to monitor your medical condition.

Doctor's visits

The ward physician will visit you in your room every day. You will then have the opportunity to ask questions. If you or your family would still like a personal consultation, you can make an appointment. Talk to the ward physician or a nurse about this in a timely manner.

Identification wristband

Wear your identification wristband throughout your hospital stay. If it should come off for any reason, ask your nurse for a new wristband. Check that all the information on the wristband is correct.

Leaving the ward

If you want to leave the ward, always signal the nurse or logistics officer. They can inform you if there is anything else scheduled that requires your presence. If you (or your companion) have a mobile phone or smartphone, please bring it with you so you can be reached.

Isolation measures

When a patient is being cared for in isolation, the nurse will explain what precautions you and your family should take when entering and leaving the room. In most cases, this involves thoroughly disinfecting or washing your hands; sometimes a face mask must also be worn. These instructions are also posted on the room door. This is important to prevent other patients from becoming infected.

Overnight stay with family

On this ward, a relative may stay room in with patients in a single room. A fee per night is charged for this through the hospital bill. You can also use the family residence or a nearby hotel at preferential rates. See options and rates.

Smoking ban

There is a general smoking ban in UZ Leuven. Smoking is only allowed in the smoking area outside the hospital: next to the main entrance and next to the "vrouw, kind en erfelijkheid" building.

Alcohol and drugs

The use of alcohol and drugs is not allowed under any circumstances.

Education and research at UZ Leuven

At UZ Leuven, we also educate a lot of healthcare professionals, whom you may get to meet on the ward. You might even be asked to participate in a scientific study.

Facilities

Better getting out of bed

During your stay on the ward, you will be encouraged to exercise. This makes for a better recovery and a lower risk of complications, reducing your hospital stay. You can play an active role in your own recovery by using our exercise room, mobility route and day room.

Meals

Meals are served in the room. You can choose your meal yourself via the interactive screen at your bedside. Dietary requirements are taken into account. A dietician can advise you on your diet during and after your stay.

Refrigerator on the ward

There is no individual fridge in the rooms. However, the ward does have a central fridge. In it, you may store self-prepared food you bring from home for up to 48 hours. Provide small, separately wrapped portions. Ask the logistics officer to put a label with your name on the food. You are responsible for storing this food properly.

Television

Via the interactive screen at your bedside, you have free access to television channels and some streaming services.

Radio

You can listen to the radio via the interactive screen at your bedside.

Headphones

Be considerate of your fellow patient's peace and quiet: do not turn the television or radio up too loud or use headphones (with wire). You can bring these yourself or buy a simple one on the ward for a small extra cost.

Internet

You can use the wireless network free of charge. To do so, connect to the "UZ Leuven-gast" wifi network. You do not need a user name or password. You can also access the internet via the interactive screen at your bedside.

Telephone

You may use your smartphone on the ward. You can also use the interactive screen at your bedside to make phone calls. Your phone calls will be charged automatically. The applicable rate is displayed at each registration desk in the reception hall. You will later see the charged amount on your hospital bill.

Literature, games and multimedia

You can borrow free books, comics, DVDs and games from the library. You can also buy newspapers and magazines during the daily newspaper round.

Hairdresser

There is a hair salon in the hospital. Ask for an appointment via the nurse a few days in advance. The hairdresser can also visit your room. Hairdressing fees are charged via the hospital bill.

Mail

You can receive mail and parcels at the ward. Make sure your full first name and surname are listed at the top of the ward address. Mail to be sent may be given to the nurse with postage paid or you may post it yourself in the mailbox at the hospital entrance.

Need a break from the room? Our volunteers are there for you

Patients staying at Gasthuisberg campus can call on a volunteer to accompany them out of the room for a while. This is how we contribute to the wellbeing of our hospitalised patients.

After your admission

Going home after your admission

Your treating doctor will determine when you are ready for discharge from hospital. Before your discharge, discuss with your healthcare providers how to best prepare for the discharge date.

Payment following your admission

You will not need to pay for your admission during your stay in the hospital. There is also no need to pay immediately after your admission: we will send your invoice directly to your health insurance provider and your hospital insurance provider first. You will then receive an invoice for your personal share.

Wheelchairs

There are several wheelchairs on the ward to take patients to an examination. Would you like to use a wheelchair when going home? Then ask whoever comes to collect you to bring a wheelchair from the reception hall.

Give your feedback for even better care

  • Every patient admitted to UZ Leuven can fill in the "Vlaamse Patiëntenpeiling" (Flemish Patient Survey). This can be done via the Octopuz screen at the bedside ('Surveys' button) or via mynexuzhealth (you will receive an invitation via mail and/or in the app after admission). By sharing your experiences at the hospital with us via this survey, you help to improve care and services for all patients.

Team

Doctors

Herijgers Paul,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Jacobs Steven,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Meuris Bart,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Meyns Bart,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Oosterlinck Wouter,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Rega Filip,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Verbelen Tom,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Verbrugghe Peter,  prof. dr.
Cardiac surgeon
Bechter-Hugl Beate,  dr.
Vascular surgeon
Daenens Kim,  dr.
Vascular surgeon
Fourneau Inge,  prof. dr.
Vascular surgeon
Houthoofd Sabrina,  dr.
Vascular surgeon
Mufty Hozan,  prof. dr.
Vascular surgeon
Sabbe Toon,  dr.
Vascular surgeon
Thomis Sarah,  prof. dr.
Vascular surgeon

Care team

Provoost Dirk
Head nurse
Flawine Sanne
Deputy head nurse
Roppe Marieke
Deputy head nurse
Claes Jomme
Physiotherapist
Deroma Michel
Physiotherapist
Peeters Bart
Physiotherapist
Raymaekers Roxanne
Social worker
Niclaes Karen
Social worker
Gerits Kathleen
Dietitian
De Roo Emma
Dietitian
De Waele Joke
Pastor
Lambrechts Erlinde
Liaison psychologist
Meesschaert Kristine
Clinical administration on ward (CAW)

Extra support - The social worker

Are you worried about your illness, family, work or financial situation? Both you and your family members are welcome to have a confidential conversation with the social worker.

The social worker will work together with you to find solutions, give advice on social services to which you are entitled and will help you with questions about insurance and certificates. If needed, the social worker will refer you to external services.

Ask the nurse or call in person on +32 16 34 86 20.

In need of conversation or a listening ear? Ask for the pastor.

Illness and hospitalisation are often thought-provoking. Do you need a quiet, confidential conversation?

There is a pastor working in the ward who - regardless of your philosophy of life - can lend a listening ear if you are having a difficult time or have life questions.

Ask for a pastor via the nurse.

Medical departments

More info on the medical departments associated with our ward can be found on the department pages below.

Cardiac surgery

The cardiac surgery department is the largest cardiac surgery centre in Belgium. The department specialises in the surgical treatment of congenital heart defects, heart failure, valve disease, disease of the coronary arteries and large blood vessels.

Vascular surgery

The vascular surgery department treats patients with narrowing, occlusion and dilation of the arteries, excluding those of the brain and heart. Patients with varicose veins and lymphoedema are also cared for by us. You can also come to us for vascular access.

Brochures

Videos

Breathing exercises before and after surgery

See what breathing exercises you can perform before and after surgery.

Wound care and pain: tips for patients

This short animation (in Dutch) will give you several tips on how you yourself can help ensure wound care with less pain.
Last edit: 17 october 2024