Updated 05/15/08
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| Common Sense Steps to Help You Avoid Problems at the Clinic or Hospital. |
Why Are You Going to the Hospital?
There are many reasons why you might need to go to the hospital. Some non-emergency reasons may include
an elective procedure such as a joint replacement, cataract surgery, or cosmetic surgery, or a specialized medical
procedure that is best done in the hospital rather than a doctor's office.
When you have an illness that has become so severe that you can not manage it, you go to a hospital emergency room.
The physicians who are on call in the emergency room will evaluate your condition, and will then recommend whether you
need to be admitted to the hospital. This process may take hours to complete.
Protecting Yourself in the Hospital
Hospitals are staffed by trained professionals who want to do what is best for you. However, things sometimes
unintentionally fall through the cracks or get overlooked. Therefore, it is important that both you and your loved ones watch
out for your best interests throughout your hospital stay. Mistakes and accidents can happen. The best way to avoid
problems is to pay attention to what is going on and to ask plenty of questions.
It is in your best interest to have a list of your medical conditions, current medications, and drug or food allergies. Bring this
list with you to the hospital, or any doctor's office. Also bring your insurance information and the names and phone
numbers of family and friends. If you see more than one physician or specialist, have their phone numbers [and fax
numbers if possible] on your list. There are often physicians with the same last name, and in an emergency situation you
want them to be able to find your Dr. Smith.
If You Are Going to be Admitted
Before you agree to be admitted into a hospital, there are several important questions you should ask:
After Admission:
As a rule, hospitals will not permit you to have any items of value with you, and are best left at home. In an emergency
situation where these items are still with you, either have someone take these items home with them, or ask the hospital to
lock them in their safe. GET A RECEIPT with the items listed.
Things to know about being in the hospital
You may feel intimidated when dealing with hospital staff, but remember -- your health is your first concern. You are in
control of your well-being. If you are unable to do this, make sure a trusted family member or friend makes your wishes
known.
While in the hospital, you have a number of rights:
Many people do not realize that they are permitted to say "NO". Make sure that if you are not able to speak for yourself,
that another person will be an advocate for you.
Leaving the Hospital
This process can take from a few hours to an entire day, depending on the nature of your condition and your personal
situation. It is extremely advisable for the person who will care for you after your hospitalization be involved in this process..
The main issues you should address with hospital staff before you leave are:
There are many reasons why you might need to go to the hospital. Some non-emergency reasons may include
an elective procedure such as a joint replacement, cataract surgery, or cosmetic surgery, or a specialized medical
procedure that is best done in the hospital rather than a doctor's office.
When you have an illness that has become so severe that you can not manage it, you go to a hospital emergency room.
The physicians who are on call in the emergency room will evaluate your condition, and will then recommend whether you
need to be admitted to the hospital. This process may take hours to complete.
Protecting Yourself in the Hospital
Hospitals are staffed by trained professionals who want to do what is best for you. However, things sometimes
unintentionally fall through the cracks or get overlooked. Therefore, it is important that both you and your loved ones watch
out for your best interests throughout your hospital stay. Mistakes and accidents can happen. The best way to avoid
problems is to pay attention to what is going on and to ask plenty of questions.
It is in your best interest to have a list of your medical conditions, current medications, and drug or food allergies. Bring this
list with you to the hospital, or any doctor's office. Also bring your insurance information and the names and phone
numbers of family and friends. If you see more than one physician or specialist, have their phone numbers [and fax
numbers if possible] on your list. There are often physicians with the same last name, and in an emergency situation you
want them to be able to find your Dr. Smith.
If You Are Going to be Admitted
Before you agree to be admitted into a hospital, there are several important questions you should ask:
- What could possibly happen if you were not admitted?
- Is being admitted the best of the possible choices?
- What procedures or treatments are likely to be done while in the hospital?
- How long will the stay be?
After Admission:
As a rule, hospitals will not permit you to have any items of value with you, and are best left at home. In an emergency
situation where these items are still with you, either have someone take these items home with them, or ask the hospital to
lock them in their safe. GET A RECEIPT with the items listed.
- Label personal items (hearing aids, dentures, eyeglasses) with your name and address. Return address labels work
great for this. - It is an option to have a telephone and a television set in your room, and they come with a daily fee. Ask about this if
you do not desire to have them.
Things to know about being in the hospital
- If you have a Living Will, carry a copy with you. The hospital will have additional forms if you wish to fill one out while
you are there. - Hospital admission requires filling out a number of forms and making a number of complicated decisions. You may
be more comfortable having someone there to help you with this process. You will also need to sign forms that
specify your method of payment, and that permits the hospital to share information concerning your circumstances
with the organizations involved in paying for your care (eg, insurance companies). - You will be asked to sign forms for specific procedures prior to when they are performed.
- Your daily routine will be very different, and you may be put through a number of tests in unfamiliar settings.
- The normal hospital attire are hospital gowns. If you ask for two, you can put the first one on [as they want you to
wear it] with the opening in the back, and use the other as a type of 'robe'. - The food may be served at times other than when you are used to eating. If you have a religious preference for the
type of meal served, make sure that someone contacts the dietary staff and see if your request can be handled. - When you are in the hospital, you will probably experience some lack of privacy. Medical staff and hospital
personnel will be going in and out of your room continually to ask you important and sometimes demanding
questions. They will also need to take your temperature, give you medications, change your linens, adjust your
bandages, and so on. Although most people will knock on your door, they tend to come in before you can respond.
Expect these things to go on throughout the night.
You may feel intimidated when dealing with hospital staff, but remember -- your health is your first concern. You are in
control of your well-being. If you are unable to do this, make sure a trusted family member or friend makes your wishes
known.
While in the hospital, you have a number of rights:
Many people do not realize that they are permitted to say "NO". Make sure that if you are not able to speak for yourself,
that another person will be an advocate for you.
- The right to be free of restraints and abuse
- The right to leave the hospital, even against the advice or wishes of your doctor
- The right to refuse medical care, even if it would prolong your life
- The right to keep your condition a secret from your family or anyone else, unless you have a contagious disease
- The right to know the truth about your condition, including an honest description or statement.
Leaving the Hospital
This process can take from a few hours to an entire day, depending on the nature of your condition and your personal
situation. It is extremely advisable for the person who will care for you after your hospitalization be involved in this process..
The main issues you should address with hospital staff before you leave are:
- Are you able to perform daily activities after discharge from the hospital?
- Who will assist you on a day-to-day basis?
- Exactly what to expect from your recovery (eg, what you should and should not do).
- When you should return for a recheck to your doctor?
- What warning signs that would suggest a need to call your doctor?
- Make sure you have a complete list of your medicines, with special note of those that are different from the ones you
were taking before your hospital stay, and any that were stopped while you were in the hospital but should be
restarted at home. Get any prescriptions for new medications, or refills on old medications before your discharge. - Ask if you are permitted to return to a regular diet if your diet was restricted in the hospital.
- Many hospitals require that you pay for your telephone and television service that was used during your stay, prior to
your discharge.
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