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Planning Your Hospital Stay

By: Sibyl Day

It can be a very stressful and confusing time when a patient is admitted to the hospital. It may be difficult for the person hospitalized to know what questions to ask and when to ask them; what information is important to write down; and what data still needs to be gathered. Keeping track of the details will help provide a clearer picture of the person's medical condition.

It is a good idea to have a friend or family member ask and record the answers about the patient's medical condition. The patient may not be in any condition to be able to either ask questions or record the answers, and may simply be too sick to be their own best advocate.

Some of the questions to be asked and answered include which doctors have treated you while you are in the hospital, what tests are needed before you can be released, and what tasks you must be able to do before you are judged ready to leave the hospital.

It is not unusual to never hear about the results of tests that have been performed. A follow-up system will help you to know to call the doctor's office or ask a nurse to get the test results.

Ask what tests still need to be performed before you can be discharged from the hospital; what these tests are for; what the results will indicate; what additional treatment will be needed; and what the possible diagnosis will be.

Prior to your release from the hospital you probably have to be able to accomplish certain tasks. For example, do you have to be able to get out of bed by yourself before you can go home; being able to walk to the bathroom; having a bowel movement; and/or being hydrated to a certain level.

When you are released it will be important to understand what restrictions you will have relating to food, drink, and physical activities. For example, will you be able to take a shower, drive, drink alcohol, eat normally? This information will help your caregivers take better care of you and help speed your recovery. It is also critical to confirm which medications you are to take once you return home. It is common for a person's medication list to change drastically during their hospitalization.

Being in the hospital can be a time of great stress and it will, hopefully, be a time of great healing. Remember to have someone help you to ask questions and record the answers, so that you can understand the your treatment plan and your prognosis. You will record contact information for your doctors; detailed information about tests and their results; what you need to accomplish physically before you leave the hospital; and what restrictions you will have upon release.

Article Source: http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com

SmallTown Duo is owned by Sibyl Day and Mary Benson. Sibyl practiced law for 10 years, Mary was an occupational therapist for 10 years. Both live in Northern California and now publish legal and medical books for consumers. This article is based on information contained in their downloadable book, "What Did the Doctor Say? A Guide for Leaving the Hospital." The book covers topics such doctor visits, medication, and avoiding medical errors. For more information, visit www.SmallTownDuo.com.


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