A well-prepared hospital stay is safer, shorter, and less stressful. Whether the admission is planned or unexpected, a few habits reduce errors and help you leave with a clear plan.
Bring the essentials
- Updated medication list with doses and reasons
- Insurance cards and photo ID
- Advance directive and healthcare proxy paperwork
- Contact information for your care team
- Comfortable clothing, phone charger, glasses, hearing aids, dentures
- A notebook or app to write down what you learn each day
Every day, ask
- What is the plan for today?
- What is the plan for discharge, and what has to happen before I can go?
- What is this new medication and what is it for?
- Who is my attending physician today?
Ask the nurse to update the whiteboard in your room daily with the plan and expected discharge date.
Prevent common hospital harms
- Infection: ask every person who touches you if they have washed their hands
- Falls: use the call button; do not walk to the bathroom alone if you are unsteady
- Blood clots: ask about compression stockings and walking as soon as it is safe
- Medication errors: verify each pill before you take it — say your name and date of birth
Bring an advocate
A family member, friend, or professional patient advocate can take notes, ask questions, and speak up when you are too tired. Hospitals expect this and welcome it.
Key takeaways
- Prepare a small folder before admission
- Ask one focused question every morning about the plan and discharge
- Speak up about hand hygiene, medications, and pain
- Never leave without a written discharge plan
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare.gov.