How to Get the Most out of Your Hospital Stay
Don't be afraid to ask questions!, Know that you are the most important part of your healthcare team., Determine why you are being hospitalized., Find out if there are alternatives you may want to consider, and if so, why hospitalization is...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Some people feel awkward asking questions because they don't want to sound stupid, don't want to offend the physician, are intimidated, or just feel overwhelmed.
Ask for something for you or a family member to take notes on.
You can ask some questions later, but if you don't write them down you may forget for the few minutes you spend with the physician.
Many of the questions can be answered by other healthcare personnel, such as your nurse, as well. -
Step 2: Know that you are the most important part of your healthcare team.
You know your body and mind best.
Your family can be just as valuable if you are not able to communicate, so make sure they know what you want and will follow through with it in case you cannot. , Are you having elective surgery? Do you need IV antibiotics for an infection? Does your condition need monitoring? What does the procedure involve? What is the expected outcome? Your physician or Emergency Room/ A&E physician should explain this, but if you don't think you understand, don't be afraid to ask. , Let your physician and nurse know if you want to consider alternative medical treatments while you are hospitalized. , An exact answer may not be possible for various reasons, however, your should be able to get an approximation. ,,, Have a copy available to bring with you for the hospital staff. , Something you can either grab yourself or a family member can bring in later. , Common tests include blood pressure and blood oxygen testing and being given a identity wristband.
Try and keep track of who you've seen so that you can feel confident later, when you haven't seem anyone for a while, that you've already been attended to. , This will help alleviate some of the feelings of loss of control and anxiety that often accompanies hospitalization.
If something has not been explained, or you didn't fully understand the explanation, ask for clarification.
If you are admitted for emergent care, your healthcare workers may be very focused upon vital or life-saving treatments, and there may not be time for extended question and answer sessions, but they should do their best to make sure you understand. , For example:
You are tired of getting needles stuck in your arm for blood tests every few hours.
It hurts, you're bruised, and you just don't want to deal with it.
Consider that without that kind of monitoring, not only could your treatment be delayed, or not as effective, it could mean that your condition could worsen without your nurses and physicians being able to monitor it, causing you to spend more time in the hospital or suffer from complications. , That is, after all, while you are there.
If you need pain or nausea medication to be able to do so, let someone know.
You are part of your healthcare team. ,, If you are anxious or unhappy about something, in pain, or need something, they need to know it.
What they are not aware of, they can't fix. , They are, almost without exception, in place to protect you, the patient.
For instance, if a hospital has policies in place to prevent falls.
You may be well able to walk about and do things for yourself, but a nurse or aide may insist on helping to the bathroom, might making you feel helpless or silly.
What you may not be taking into consideration is that you may feel fine, but those pain pills you took a half hour ago have the potential to impair your judgment, at least a little.
Also, if you're feeling a little out of it, then possibly the nurse has noticed something you haven't and wants to prevent you sustaining an injury.
No one goes to the hospital and plans on falling while they are there, but it happens. , There is a whole system of medication checking between the physician, the nurse, and the pharmacist, but the last stop is you.
Mistakes can be made, and you can decrease that possibility even more.
If you can, always check what you're taking and that it is the correct dosage for you.
Remember, you might only receive a few pieces of medication a day, but a nurse may dole out hundreds.
If unsure, it is always perfectly acceptable to get your nurse to double check. , Whether you are having an elective surgery or and extended more difficult stay, you do not want either of these complications. , Write them down or ask someone to write then down for you and make sure you ask the physician what the results were. , This can avoid a lot of frustration and frayed nerves.
Different areas have different laws and policies regarding information and if your family is worried, then a lack of knowledge may make them feel even more anxious. -
Step 3: Determine why you are being hospitalized.
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Step 4: Find out if there are alternatives you may want to consider
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Step 5: and if so
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Step 6: why hospitalization is preferable.
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Step 7: Find out the estimated length of stay.
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Step 8: Have your health history
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Step 9: including allergies
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Step 10: and your most recent medication list up to date
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Step 11: and make sure you and your family knows where it is.
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Step 12: Let your caregiver know right away if you have latex or iodine sensitivities.
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Step 13: Consider writing a Living WillLiving Will
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Step 14: especially if you are in for something serious and put it somewhere that you and your family know where to find it.
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Step 15: Have a small kit of essentials packed and accessible for an emergency or routine hospitalization.
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Step 16: Expect that your admission will be a busy time
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Step 17: with many tests
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Step 18: questions
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Step 19: and different people doing unfamiliar or (if you have done this before) somewhat familiar things.
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Step 20: Remember that from the time you come in the doors
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Step 21: you have the right to know what is being done and why.
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Step 22: Understand that you have the right to refuse any treatment
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Step 23: however
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Step 24: think carefully and only do so if you fully understand the complications that could arise from refusing care that has been deemed either necessary or beneficial.
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Step 25: Try to follow whatever regimen your physician
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Step 26: therapist has prescribed for you.
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Step 27: Ask your nurse for any information regarding your condition or surgery
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Step 28: if you have not already received it.
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Step 29: Remember
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Step 30: your caregivers are not mind readers.
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Step 31: Be aware that no matter how pointless or ridiculous some routine of policy may seem
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Step 32: they are in place for a reason.
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Step 33: Ask what medications you are being given
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Step 34: and if there are unfamiliar ones
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Step 35: ask for information on them.
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Step 36: Expect that it is possible
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Step 37: depending on risk factors
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Step 38: that you will be given medications or treatments to prevent stomach ulcers or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
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Step 39: Ask what tests you are having done.
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Step 40: Find out what family members are entitled to know and what and how much information will be given to them.
Detailed Guide
Some people feel awkward asking questions because they don't want to sound stupid, don't want to offend the physician, are intimidated, or just feel overwhelmed.
Ask for something for you or a family member to take notes on.
You can ask some questions later, but if you don't write them down you may forget for the few minutes you spend with the physician.
Many of the questions can be answered by other healthcare personnel, such as your nurse, as well.
You know your body and mind best.
Your family can be just as valuable if you are not able to communicate, so make sure they know what you want and will follow through with it in case you cannot. , Are you having elective surgery? Do you need IV antibiotics for an infection? Does your condition need monitoring? What does the procedure involve? What is the expected outcome? Your physician or Emergency Room/ A&E physician should explain this, but if you don't think you understand, don't be afraid to ask. , Let your physician and nurse know if you want to consider alternative medical treatments while you are hospitalized. , An exact answer may not be possible for various reasons, however, your should be able to get an approximation. ,,, Have a copy available to bring with you for the hospital staff. , Something you can either grab yourself or a family member can bring in later. , Common tests include blood pressure and blood oxygen testing and being given a identity wristband.
Try and keep track of who you've seen so that you can feel confident later, when you haven't seem anyone for a while, that you've already been attended to. , This will help alleviate some of the feelings of loss of control and anxiety that often accompanies hospitalization.
If something has not been explained, or you didn't fully understand the explanation, ask for clarification.
If you are admitted for emergent care, your healthcare workers may be very focused upon vital or life-saving treatments, and there may not be time for extended question and answer sessions, but they should do their best to make sure you understand. , For example:
You are tired of getting needles stuck in your arm for blood tests every few hours.
It hurts, you're bruised, and you just don't want to deal with it.
Consider that without that kind of monitoring, not only could your treatment be delayed, or not as effective, it could mean that your condition could worsen without your nurses and physicians being able to monitor it, causing you to spend more time in the hospital or suffer from complications. , That is, after all, while you are there.
If you need pain or nausea medication to be able to do so, let someone know.
You are part of your healthcare team. ,, If you are anxious or unhappy about something, in pain, or need something, they need to know it.
What they are not aware of, they can't fix. , They are, almost without exception, in place to protect you, the patient.
For instance, if a hospital has policies in place to prevent falls.
You may be well able to walk about and do things for yourself, but a nurse or aide may insist on helping to the bathroom, might making you feel helpless or silly.
What you may not be taking into consideration is that you may feel fine, but those pain pills you took a half hour ago have the potential to impair your judgment, at least a little.
Also, if you're feeling a little out of it, then possibly the nurse has noticed something you haven't and wants to prevent you sustaining an injury.
No one goes to the hospital and plans on falling while they are there, but it happens. , There is a whole system of medication checking between the physician, the nurse, and the pharmacist, but the last stop is you.
Mistakes can be made, and you can decrease that possibility even more.
If you can, always check what you're taking and that it is the correct dosage for you.
Remember, you might only receive a few pieces of medication a day, but a nurse may dole out hundreds.
If unsure, it is always perfectly acceptable to get your nurse to double check. , Whether you are having an elective surgery or and extended more difficult stay, you do not want either of these complications. , Write them down or ask someone to write then down for you and make sure you ask the physician what the results were. , This can avoid a lot of frustration and frayed nerves.
Different areas have different laws and policies regarding information and if your family is worried, then a lack of knowledge may make them feel even more anxious.
About the Author
Lauren Gonzales
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow crafts tutorials.
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