Cooperative Living June 2018 - 22

HealthyTake
Here are
Preparing for a Hospital Stay
B
efore you go on vacation, you may use a checklist to keep track
of what to pack and things to do before you leave. Going to the
hospital is no different. If you or a family member learn that
you'll need to be admitted for more than an overnight stay, here are
things to take care of before you leave home:
Record your medical history -Hospital staff will ask about your
current and past medical conditions and previous medical procedures.
Bring written records so you don't forget anything, and also proof of
coverage in the form of your health insurance card.
List medications you take - Your doctors and nurses need to know
all the medicines, vitamins and supplements you're currently taking.
Also write any drug allergies or adverse reactions you've experienced.
Confirm surgery details -If you're having surgery, make sure you
understand what's going to be done and the expected outcome. Be sure
your doctor - and the doctor operating on you - are clear on the specifics.
Pack house shoes with non-slip soles - Wearing just socks or
shoes with slick bottoms can cause you to fall.
Do you need a healthcare advocate? Some patients may want to
enlist the help of a healthcare advocate, who can act as your second set
of eyes and ears, take notes for you - especially if you're distracted
by pain or heavily sedated - and clarify your caregivers' instructions.
Your advocate doesn't need special medical training. It's just someone
you trust who knows your medical history, pays attention to details,
and isn't afraid to ask questions.
Here are 10 tips once you're at the hospital:
1. Get to know your nurses and aides. Get the phone number
for the nurses' station in case your call bell is not answered in a timely
fashion and you really need assistance, especially at night, when
there is less staff on hand. Strive for an " attitude of gratitude, " which
goes a long way towards fostering meaningful human connections
with your care team.
2. Make names a must in all hospital interactions. Get to know
the names of your doctors and care team - don't let them remain
strangers to you at this most crucial time. This a reminder to
everyone that you are a person first and a patient second, and is the
best defense you have against feeling anonymous and dehumanized.
3. Consider your hospital room your temporary home.
*Make sure that the TV, phone, bed and call button all
function properly.
* Climate control is essential to your comfort. Make sure you
have enough blankets to stay warm.
*Just a modicum of sunlight, a quieter room or a sliver of privacy
can make a world of difference to a patient. If you're going to be
in the hospital for more than a day, and you're uncomfortable
with your room or bed assignment, ask for a change.
* If you bring a portable entertainment device such as an iPod
containing music or audio books, keep in mind that hospitals
are not responsible for personal effects.
20 | Cooperative Living | June 2018
* Place multiple sets of earplugs and a
sleep mask on the bedside table within
easy reach.
things to take
care of before
you leave
home.
* Have a pen and a notebook handy so you can make notes and
write down observations.
* Place a bottle of hand sanitizer within easy reach. Facial wipes
and mouthwash or mints are also helpful items to have on hand.
4. Make cleanliness in your room a priority. Studies show that
despite use of disinfectants, a majority of patients' rooms are
contaminated with bacteria that can cause staph infections. Use
disinfectant wipes on bed railings, rolling table surfaces, chair
armrests, the phone, the call button and the TV remote.
5. Consider scheduling a visit from your pastor or other type
of spiritual counselor to offer you solace, support and
guidance, and make arrangements as needed.
6. Create a master medication list using the notebook you
brought. It should include the drug name, prescribing physician,
schedule with dosages, what day you started and stopped and why
you are taking every drug; for example, " blood pressure. " This list
will be the record of ALL medications you are prescribed during your
stay and can be used to check against hospital and insurance bills.
7. Know your daily medication schedule: medication mix-ups
can be deadly. Your hospital bracelet should be checked each
time you are given any medication. Review the " 5 Rights " : right time/
schedule, right drug, right dosage, right route (i.e., injection, IV, oral,
topical) and the right patient - you! Speak up if something seems wrong.
8. Create a daily journal. Record how you are actually feeling day
to day. This is also a good place to make notes of any questions for your
doctors and nurses as a reminder to yourself since you may have only
minutes with them at a time. Make a note to ask every day if catheters,
IVs or other invasive devices are ready to be removed - this can
help prevent infections.
9. Hydration is key to recovery. Keep your water pitcher filled
and try to sip water throughout the day. Sucking on ice chips can be
a good alternative if you are unable to drink water.
10. Find out which hospital staff - patient representative,
case manager or social worker - can help with questions
and concerns like discharge planning and executing healthcare
proxies or advance directives.
When you're ready to go home:
Prescription instructions - If your doctor gives you a prescription,
make sure you can read it. If YOU can't, your pharmacist might not
be able to either.
Post-hospitalization care -Be sure you understand how to take
care of yourself after you leave the hospital. If anything is unclear, let
your doctor or nurse know right away. 
Source: www.aarp.org
www.co-opliving.com
http://www.aarp.org http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living June 2018

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