Admission to the hospital is sometimes unpredictable and unanticipated. Other times it can be planned for surgery, childbirth and elective procedures.
It is good to be prepared when an illness comes unexpectedly. Keep a grab and go bag packed with items for when the time comes and you are to be rushed to the hospital.
Call it your “hospital bag!” Do not keep your hospital bag a secret! If you live alone, tell someone where you keep it.
Hospital stay can be terrifying, tedious and frustrating. Pack items to ease your mind, keep you comfortable and well entertained, maintain your daily hygiene and help with privacy.
The personal items you require depends on your illness and present state.
Ensure to check your hospital bag at intervals for expired items and replenish as you take from your stock.
Pack the things you would take on a weekend trip minus your bathing suit and shorts! Sometimes a hospital stay serves as a vacation and sweet escape for some patients!
At the hospital
Hospital stays can be traumatic for both patients and relatives. Care at the hospital is not easy nor straightforward.
Remember, if you did not need to be monitored, you would not be admitted.
The hospital is a busy place so your sleep might be affected by staff as they monitor you. Crying patients, call bells and the sounds of beeping machines can also keep you awake.
You might be attached to a lot of machines and have lots of tubes and wires on you, do not be alarmed! Be prepared for the needles and countless blood works and intravenous medication! Ultrasounds and x-rays might be done!
Do not be agitated if you call and help does not come one time.
Different roles
You will encounter different staff all with different roles. Everyone you meet is trying to help you and wants you to recover speedily so you can be discharged.
Be polite and not aggressive towards staff. Often, the person attending to you got an order from someone else so do not try to beat them up for doing their job.
They are just trying to help you. Ask who ordered the procedure and monitoring and the purpose and take up your concern with the person who ordered it.
Hospital admission key notes
All hospitals are different and have different protocols so items allowed in one hospital might not be allowed in another.
The bedside table and space assigned to you might be small. Ensure you pack your items accordingly in a proper bag.
Use permanent marker and place your name on all your items so it can be returned to you if it gets lost, misplaced or stolen.
Needed items whilst at the hospital
Medical records
Hold your medication, prescriptions, past medical records and reports. This would thoroughly provide the health care team with more information about you.
Remember to indicate all the things you are allergic too.
Hygiene
Ensure to pack these necessities: toiletries, toilet paper, towel, bath soap or shower gel, skin care products, deodorant, razor, comb, hair care products, adult diapers, sanitary pads, wash rags and bathtub.
Disinfectant wipes make a big difference! They are useful to wipe surfaces to limit the spread of infections and can be used for perineal care.
Comfort
Carry mints to keep your mouth fresh. Keep juice, water and healthy snacks on standby so you can have something to munch on.
Loose fitting pajamas and comfortable cotton underwear are a must.
Pack a plastic bedroom slipper with rubber soles instead of a cloth slipper to prevent slipping and breeding of bacteria. Pack your socks too!
Bring your own pillow and bed sheets. The hospital is usually a cold place so hold your extra warmth.
The cooling system can be torturing and drying to the skin so walk with your lip balm and skin moisturizer.
Have your hand sanitizer at your bedside in case you are unable to wash your hands as frequently as you like.
The hospital can seem like daytime even at nights. An eye mask could make sleeping much better!
Light robe to maintain your privacy and especially if you are in a shared room.
Clothes to wear upon discharge.
Stay entertained
Hold a puzzle book, novel and magazine to keep your mind occupied.
NO!
Avoid carrying lots of money with you, expensive jewelry, alcohol, illicit drugs or pets!
There will be no one to monitor your personal items and the hospital will not be liable if they go missing.
Having a baby? Breasts pads, maxi pads, fully equipped diaper bags, blankets and all the baby extras would be required.
If you are conscious, remember your walking stick, wheelchair, hearing aid, phone, tablet, chargers, an adapter and your dentures on the day you are being taken to the hospital.
It is your right
Being admitted to the hospital is not a jail sentence. You still have a say and you have the right to refuse treatment.
No need to argue, simply say you refuse. You will be advised accordingly but you will not be forced.
Every hospital has their own protocols. Respect the hospital’s routines and protocols.
There are set times at which things are done unless an emergency arises and the time frame within which you are to receive care is compromised.
Therefore, do not yell at the nurse when you are awoken to get your vital signs checked or medication administered at odd hours.
Remember that the hospital is a building but the people working there are human just like you.
Ever been to the hospital? How was the time spent?
Reems Sonson
Our Tropical Living
Come live and love island life
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This is one is truth!! Not just what to bring but the attitude to bring
Very true Clehys!
Great job. Many people don’t know or understand what staying at the hospital entails nor what they should bring. After reading this, they now have a clear idea.
Thank you Cindy!