Patients from across Africa with heart or lung diseases are referred to Dr. Johan van der Merwe, either as being hospitalised (also known as an inpatient), or as an outpatient, who visit our consultation facility for a scheduled appointment. Dr. Johan van der Merwe and the Keyhole Thorax Centre team deliver their comprehensive patient-centred cardiovascular- and thoracic service at contracted medical aid rates and try their best to ensure no additional co-payments.
Your personalised diagnosis and treatment pathway under the care of Dr. Johan van der Merwe include the following:
A first appointment, where the relevant aspects of your problem and the risks, benefits and expectations of each evidence-based therapeutic options will be discussed with you in detail. If it is your first visit to the Keyhole Thorax Centre, kindly report to our friendly reception desk for direction to our consultation facility. Dr. Johan van der Merwe is more than willing to include families or any loved ones in these discussions. You form the centre of our team and we wish to ensure that your loved ones are also prepared for your procedure and rehabilitation program. Digital meetings are often scheduled for long-distance patients and if English or Afrikaans is not your preferred language, please let us know to arrange for an interpreter who can ensure that you are comfortable and content with our consultation. You may ask as many questions as you wish and can decide on your preferred strategy when you feel ready and comfortable.
Once you are comfortable with your elected procedure option, a date for hospitalisation and your procedure that is convenient for you and your family will be proposed. All health care funder administration will be addressed by our team. Our team look forward to assist with providing accommodation options for long-distance patients and families.
Hospital admission usually occurs the day before your procedure, which also allows further opportunities to meet our multi-disciplinary team and prepare for your procedure.
Your robotic-, keyhole (minimally invasive) – or transcatheter heart or lung procedure is then performed in our state-of-the-art hybrid operating room.
You will be admitted to our specialist cardiovascular- and thoracic critical care unit after your procedure, which is followed by further individualized recovery under expert supervision in the cardiothoracic surgery ward. During your hospital stay, you will be frequently visited by members of our friendly multi-disciplinary team to assess and assist with your progress and recovery.
You will be discharged from hospital when you achieve your personalised rehabilitation goals outlined by our Keyhole Thorax Centre Your medication and information on your further home-based rehabilitation will be provided and Dr. Johan van der Merwe will frequently communicate with you on your preferred digital platform to ensure you are comfortable at home.
We will then schedule a formal follow-up appointment and ensure further continuation of your care in partnership with you, your family / loved ones and your general practitioner.