Make it a smooth transition into and out of the hospital

Even if your hospital stay is for a minor procedure or illness, it can be a time of stress and uncertainty. What are all these tests and medications? Who are these people coming into my room?

By taking a few steps, you can make your stay more comfortable and save your energy for recovering as soon as you can.

Some hospital stays start in the emergency room, of course, but you can share these tips with your loved ones so they can help you be more comfortable.

Before you go to the hospital

• Designate someone to be your representative in the hospital, whether it’s a family member or patient advocate. Download a HIPAA release form from the Illinois Department of Human Services website, fill it out, get it signed and witnessed, and take it with you. That way, medical staff will have permission to speak to your representative about your condition, treatment, etc.

• Have an advance medical directive or living will and power of attorney for health care in place so your loved ones will know your wishes in case the worst happens. It probably won’t, but the peace of mind is worth it.

• Plan ahead for hospital bills. Double check to make sure you have received all of the pre-authorizations and approvals your insurance company will need and have an understanding of what your co-pay or coinsurance will be for your stay. If you are uninsured, speak with the hospital’s billing department about discounts for cash payments, financial assistance and payment plans.

• If your doctor thinks you may need a transfusion — during or after surgery, for example — consider banking some of your own blood if you are healthy enough to do so. Known as an autologous donations, these require your doctor to write a prescription and have to be planned several weeks out.

• Make arrangements to have things looked after at home — children, pets, mail and plants, for example. If a neighbor asks if they can do anything, be specific in your requests.

• Pack what you’ll need, remembering things like a cellphone charger, something to pass the time (reading material, for example), toiletries and a robe. Bring a list of your medications, but not the medications themselves — the hospital’s medical staff will dispense your meds. Leave your wallet and wedding rings at home.

• Shower and shampoo before you go into the hospital, and remove all jewelry, including piercings. You may also need to remove nail polish and acrylic nails because they could possibly interfere with the oximeter used to monitor your oxygen levels.

When you’re preparing to come home

The day you are discharged from the hospital is usually busy and sometimes confusing — and they’re also throwing a lot of information at you. Remember to focus on the five D’s of discharge: diagnosis, drugs, doctor, directions and diet. Ignoring or omitting some of these factors may require a trip back to the hospital — the hospital doesn’t want you to be readmitted, and you don’t either.

• Again, have someone with you — spouse, family member or patient advocate — when you are being given discharge instructions. The instructions will be written down, of course, but a second set of ears and someone to ask questions will be a huge help.

• Your discharge instructions should include what activities you can and can’t do (take a shower, go up and down stairs), what complications to watch for (bleeding, fever), what medications to resume and which to add, what you can and can’t eat (normal diet, soft foods), and when to follow up with your primary care doctor. Make sure you clearly understand all of these before heading home.

• If you are returning home, hospital staff must evaluate your need for home health care, physical therapy, meal delivery, caregivers, durable medical equipment (DME) and modifications to your home to ensure safety. Listen carefully to their recommendations, what arrangements they will make and how you can make arrangements yourself if necessary.

• Make sure you have a way to get home. Patients who have been under sedation need to be sent home with “a responsible adult,” so it’s best to have a friend, neighbor, family member or spouse do the honors. Some facilities will let you prearrange a taxi or ride-share, but clarify whether that’s an option.

Hospital stays are sometimes a necessary fact of life. You can exert some measure of control over the experience by planning for your pre- and post-hospital transitions.

• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care registered nurse for 30+ years, she is founder of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). Her book, “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon. She is offering a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers; email her at teri@northshorern.com.