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GET ME ORIENTED /// CHAPTER 20
Hospital
Orientation
Inpatient Care
Staying in the hospital is different from what most people
have experienced before. It is a place that is awake 24 hours
a day with the goal of taking care of you. Here are a few
things to prepare yourself for.
What to expect:
» Noise: Hospitals are noisy places with rooms close together. There are IV pumps
that beep, monitors that ding, and lots of people coming in and out of your room.
» Lack of Privacy: Be prepared to have lots of people in your personal space.
This includes a few things you might not think about such as having staff ask
you to pee in a urinal and pooping in a plastic container and whether you're
constipated. As weird as these requests may seem, it helps the medical team
know how your body is functioning.
» A Different Routine: Be prepared to take your morning medications around
9am. Vital Signs are typically taken every 4 hours both day and night. Labs are
typically drawn from your central line, so you won't need to be poked, but often
the first labs of the day happen around 4am. Some people sleep through this,
others do not. A doctor and nurse practitioner will examine you every day and talk
with you and your family about the plan for your treatment. You may also have
appointments with physical therapy or to go for additional testing during the day.
The exact schedule of the day is sometimes unknown, which can be frustrating.
» Waiting: Have you heard the phrase " hospital time " before? It refers to the fact
that there can be a lot of waiting around in hospitals. This is because hospitals
are busy places that take care of people, not robots. So, things can come up
unexpectedly which can lead to delays. Sometimes the doctors don't come to
see you exactly when they think they will, other times you might be delayed
going to a scan. Sometimes your own body keeps you here longer than you
originally expected. Please know that we're all working very hard to take care of
you. This is another reason to bring things with you to help pass the time. If you
need a distracting activity while you wait, just let us know.
» Lots of Faces: You might meet 20 different people the first time you come to
the hospital. It will feel like a revolving door and can be overwhelming. When
everyone wears masks, it can be especially challenging to recognize new faces.
Keep asking people what their name is and what role they play on your team.
WHAT TO
BRING
Comfy clothes
Slippers
A cozy
blanket
Your own
pillow
Books, movies or
video games
Your favorite
toiletries
Headphones
Chargers for
electronics (long
cable)
https://fwaya.org/
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