PREPARING FOR YOUR HOSPITAL STAY

​What can you do to empower yourself during your hospital stay?

• How can you hold on to some degree of self-control and self-respect while in the hospital?
• What do you do if you feel confused when the "professionals" are discussing your health?

We have included this section to help answer some of these questions and address some potential fears…..

1. First and foremost, it is imperative to remember that you are your own best advocate and you are the expert on you. Putting your trust and faith in your doctors does not mean that you can not or should not take an active role in your medical care. In fact, staying informed and playing an active role in your care not only gives you some degree of control, but it could also help in limiting potential medical mistakes and negligence in the care that you receive.
2. You have the right to information, so stay alert, be vigilant, and ask questions! A hospital should provide you with basic information even prior to admission:

-Patient Rights
-How to complain, internally and externally
-Telephone/TV info
-Advanced DirectivesVisitor Accommodations
-Specific accommodations for religious reasons

1. Take your workbook with you so that you may take notes:

Ask what medications and doses you are being given and why
When they come to wheel you out of your room for some test, ask them where they are taking you and why, and write down that information so that you may later follow up if necessary
Ask for the titles of those who approach you and keep track of who's who (see list of hospital personnel below)
Write down people's names (doctors, nurses, social workers, etc)
-Collect business cards of those who visit, and keep these in your personal card holder
Things to Pack for Your Hospital Stay:
- Insurance Card
-Personal Identification
-List of current medications (and dosage)
-Comfortable pajamas (loose-fitting is best)
-Socks and slippers
-Underwear
-Comfortable clothing and shoes to wear home (something loose-fitting)
- Eyeglasses (you might want to leave contacts at home)
Toiletries
-Hairbrush
-Shampoo
-Soap
-Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Deodorant
-Feminine hygiene products Your own pillow (if you choose) Entertainment Material-
Books, Magazines
-Music, IPOD
-Portable DVD player Cell phone and charger
Do not depend on supplies provided by hospital staff
Be sure to leave jewelry, credit cards, and any other valuables at home

Hospital Personnel:

• Attending physician - most probably the doctor who admitted you and/or is responsible for your continuing care
• House Staff –
  • Intern: a medical school graduate who has completed one year post graduate medical training in a hospital
  • Resident: a medical school graduate who has completed more than one year post graduate medical training in a hospital
• Medical student/intern –Third and fourth year medical school students generally rotate through a teaching hospital
• Registered nurse R.N. – A person who holds a Baccalaureate in nursing and sometimes even a Masters degree
• Licensed practical nurse L.P.N. – A person who could have just one year of nursing school
• Nurse's aides and orderlies – A person who assists individuals with healthcare needs, with activities of daily living, and provides bedside care – including basic nursing procedures, like checking blood pressure and body temperature– all under the supervision of an R.N. or L.P.N.
• Nurse practitioner – A registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree or doctoral degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as a few complex medical conditions. Nurse practitioners are generally licensed through nursing boards rather than medical boards.
• P.A. Physician Assistant - A specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician.
• Patient Representative
  • A hospital-employed person who serves as a liaison/go between patient and hospital
  • A Patient representative's job is to make the alienating environment of a hospital seem more humane and responsive to the patient
  • He/she looks out and speaks up for the patient and is there to listen to complaints and suggestions, assess the situation, and pass along your thoughts (along with their own analysis) to the proper authorities for action
  • Often a nurse, but not always
  • Patients and /or their families should be encouraged to contact the Patient Relations/Customer Service department to express any concerns they may have
• HIPAA Laws:
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
  • Provide federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities (i.e. doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies)
  • Give patients an array of rights with respect to their personal health information
  • Balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes
  • Intended to lead to reduced fraudulent activity and improved data systems When fully adhered to by all that are required to comply, HIPAA regulation is estimated to save providers nine billion dollars annually You can learn more about HIPAA by going to http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/
• The key things to keep in mind about HIPAA are the following:
  • You have the right to receive complete and understandable information about your diagnosis, treatment, and expected outcome
  • You have the right to review and understand your medical record
    (Ask your physician about anything you do not understand)
  • You have the right to refuse any treatment or test

(Be sure you understand the benefits and risks before you sign over your consent)