You are an integral part of your health care team and play an important role in improving your own health. Through involvement with the hospital staff and interest in your own care, you may heal faster.

Please keep the following suggestions in mind during your stay in the hospital. If you are a family member or friend of a patient who cannot speak for himself or herself, these
suggestions are equally as important for you.

Admission


1. Ask questions. Your nurse can help you find the right person to answer every question.
2. Answer all questions fully and as completely as possible. Your complete honesty will prevent unnecessary testing.
3. If your home physician is different from your hospital physician, let him or her know that you are in the hospital. Give your doctor the name of your hospital physician. With your permission, they can share ideas to provide you with the best care possible.

Medication


1. Alert the hospital staff to any over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies (such as acupuncture) that you may be using currently.
2. Give the hospital staff a complete list of the medicines you are taking at home.
3. Alert the hospital staff to any allergies to dye, iodine, shellfish, radiology contrast materials, or anesthesia.
4. Alert the hospital staff to allergies or reactions to medications you might have had in the past.
5. Be familiar with your medicines. If there is something new, or something you do not recognize, request information about it.
6. When asking about medications remember these 6 things:
    a. What is it for?
    b. How often is it given?
    c. What are the side effects I should be aware of and what should I do if I develop side effects?
    d. Are there any foods, drinks, or activities I should avoid while on the medication?
    e. Will I be on this medication at home?
    f.  Is it safe to take this medication with my other medications or supplements?
7. You may request information about any medication from the nurse or the pharmacist.
8. It is okay to ask your nurse for a copy of your medicine list.

Nutrition


1. Ask about your diet. If you are not eating ask:
    a. Why am I not eating?
    b. When will I receive food?
    c. Should my diet change because of my illness?
2. You may ask for a dietitian’s advice while in the hospital.
3. Check with the nurse before eating foods that visitors bring in.

Environment


1. Because of the intravenous (IV) and other hospital equipment, do not try to get out of bed on  your own. Always ask for assistance. This will help in preventing falls and injuries.
2. Use the call bell for any needs. Don’t wait until the last minute to call for help. The nurse may take several minutes to answer while helping other patients.
3. If you need help turning in bed, ask the nurse to help you turn every couple of hours. This will help in preventing bedsores. Never stay in the same position for more than 2 hours.
4. If you are going for a procedure, ask:
    a. What is the procedure?
    b. What is it for and why is it necessary?
    c. How long will it take?
    d. Are there any risks involved?
    e. Ask for written instructions if they are available.
    f.  Ask about the results of the procedure. If you have had the procedure before and had
        problems in the past make sure to let the nurse know.
5. Consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you to wash their hands.
6. You may meet several doctors, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, nurses’ aides, nurses, and even transporters. Each plays an important role in your care. Familiarize yourself with the people you see everyday.
7. The top siderails of your bed may be left up to help you lift yourself up in bed or to hold when trying to sit up. Never try to climb out over the top of a siderail. If the bottom rails have been raised do not try to get out between the rails or over the top.

Education


1. At the time of discharge, ask for specific instructions. These instructions should include any treatment instructions, diet, or lifestyle changes you may need to incorporate at home. This is an extremely important part of a smooth transition from hospital to home.
2. Ask for a list of medications upon discharge. If there are any new medications, request more information about them.
3. Make sure you understand which of your home medications to continue and which ones to stop. If there is more than 1 physician on your case the pharmacist may be helpful in screening the whole list to make sure the medicines can be taken together safely.
4. Give your home doctor your new list of medications so your record will be updated in the office.
5. Ask about the need for follow-up medical appointments and how to schedule those appointments.
6. Keep a typed or written copy of your medicine list with you at all times, so that it is available at office visits or to health care providers in the case of an emergency.

As you can see, you play an important role in your journey to better health. By working with your health care team, you can help make this journey fast, easy, and above all, safe.

References:
20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors. Patient Fact Sheet. AHRQ Publication No. 00-PO38, February 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.htm. JCAHO SEA: Restraint Use. Available at: http://www.jcaho.org.

Resources

www.sccm.org

ICU Issues & Answers from SCCM

  . Participating in Care: What Questions Should I ask?

  . Taking Care of Yourself While a Loved One is in the ICU

  . Why Do ICU Patients Look and Act That Way?

  . Common Problems of Critical Illness
  . What Are My Choices Regarding Life Support?
  . Sepsis: What You Should Know
  . Making Decisions About ICU Care
  . When Your Child is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
  . Making Decisions When Your Child is Very Sick
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National self-help clearinghouse

  (212) 642-2944

  www.selfhelpweb.org

  www.mayoclinic.com

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  1-800-989-9455

  www.partnershipforcaring.org

  www.dyingwell.org

Hospice link: 1-800-331-1620

© 2003 SCCM
Developed with an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company