A hospital stay, whether planned or unexpected is stressful to the patient and the family. You are asked many questions and sometimes you have to make decisions in matter of minutes.

We don’t like to talk about these kinds of situations and then are at a loss about what to do when they happen. It is better to be prepared. Here are some things that you should have in an envelope in a safe place for every family member:

A list of all medications and supplements the family member is taking. Keep this current.
• A list of all doctors the family member is seeing with addresses and telephone numbers. Keep this current.
• List of any conditions that the family member is being treated for at present.
• A living will, DNR (do not resuscitate) power of attorney for all family members of majority. This is so important as someone in the family must be able to make decisions on behalf of the family member if he/she cannot. Someone in the family should know what that person would want if a decision had to be made about giving a transfusion, bringing in specialist, putting a person on a breathing
tube, etc. The family is under so much stress that it is hard to make decisions without emotional duress.
• An organ donor card if the family member chooses to be an organ donor and which organs they wish to donate. This takes another decision out of the hands of emotional family members.
• A copy of the medical ID card, social security card and Medicare card if applicable.

When you get to the hospital you will have all the information at your fingertips to give
to the admitting office. This will save time and will get you with your family member
quicker. During hospital stays make sure you remember you are in charge of your own
health!

• Ask questions about what the doctors and nurses are doing in a respectful manner.
• If you are scheduled for a test, ask what it is called and what it is for. Always ask for the results. If you are the patient and capable of keeping a journal of all tests and medications, you should do so. If you are not, have one of your family members do it. Write down the information that the doctors and nurses give you about your tests and condition. It is also a good idea to write down how YOU feel you are getting better.
• When you are given medicine, LOOK AT IT and make sure you recognize the medicine. Ask what it is and what it is for. Many patients are given the wrong medications in hospitals.
• Because of infections, doctors and nurses are supposes to wash their hands coming in and out of your room, check to see that this is done. Sometimes they have antibacterial gel that is on the wall to use. Cleanliness is very important.
Have your family members use this type of gel when in the room.
• When the doctor or nurse tells you that another doctor or specialist needs to see you make sure you tell them that anyone being brought in on your case needs to be in-network. Make sure your family member knows this if you are not capable of acting in your own behalf. Sometimes things are very hectic and emotional, it is easy to forget and just sign papers. Then, when you are well and the bills arrive it is hard to go back and say, “If only”.
Keep a copy of everything that you are asked to sign.
With your journal you can look at your hospital bill and sometimes you will find things that you never had, tests, medications, etc. This helps you and your company lower health costs. Your journal also helps you when you go back to the doctors and they ask questions about your stay. Sometimes the doctors are not aware of what tests other doctors ordered. This can help you in not repeating tests.