Questions to Ask While in the Hospital
Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008
by Mary Benson
SmallTown Duo
If you or someone you know is in the hospital, you know how stressful it can be. The patient may need a friend or family member to step in to advocate for them. This person will need to ask important questions and keep track of the answers. By writing down the questions and the answers, you will have a clearer understanding of what comes next.
Some of the questions to be asked and answered include which doctors have treated you while you are in the hospital, what tests are needed before you can be released, and what tasks you must be able to do before you are judged ready to leave the hospital.
It is not unusual to never hear about the results of tests that have been performed. A follow-up system will help you to know to call the doctor's office or ask a nurse to get the test results.
Ask what tests still need to be performed before you can be discharged from the hospital; what these tests are for; what the results will indicate; what additional treatment will be needed; and what the possible diagnosis will be.
Before you can be discharged from the hospital, there are certain tasks you probably have to be able to do by yourself. For example, do you have to be able to get out of bed by yourself before you can go home; being able to walk to the bathroom; having a bowel movement; and/or being hydrated to a certain level.
When you are released it will be important to understand what restrictions you will have relating to food, drink, and physical activities. For example, will you be able to take a shower, drive, drink alcohol, eat normally? If everyone knows what you can or cannot do, your caregivers can help you in your recovery. It is also critical to confirm which medications you are to take once you return home. It is common for a person's medication list to change drastically during their hospitalization.
Being in the hospital can be a time of great stress and it will, hopefully, be a time of great healing. Remember to have someone help you to ask questions and record the answers, so that you can understand the your treatment plan and your prognosis. You will record contact information for your doctors; detailed information about tests and their results; what you need to accomplish physically before you leave the hospital; and what is not recommended for you to do upon your return home.
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SmallTown Duo, owned by Sibyl Day and Mary Benson, specializes in medical and legal books for consumers. They publish a popular book called "What Did the Doctor Say? A Guide for Leaving the Hospital." The book covers topics such as questions to ask about your diagnosis, medications, doctor visits, and avoiding common medical errors. If you or someone you know will soon be in the hospital, this book helps with every step of the way. For more information, visit their website at www.SmallTownDuo.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)hi mary,this was a well written, informative article that is a great reminder of what to ask while in the hospital. thanks for sharing, and i hope you continue writing,best regards,sue thomThanks, Sue. Glad you found it helpful, and thanks for reading!Best regards,Mary Benson
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