A hospital stay can seem like a whirlwind. For starters, something serious is likely going on — maybe you need surgery, are giving birth or are fighting a significant illness.
You may have had a long wait getting in through the emergency room. You have probably seen several different doctors and nurses. (Nurses generally change shifts every 8 to 12 hours.) You have likely encountered a variety of medical assistants, social workers and other hospital personnel.
[See: 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Nurses.]
What’s more, the hours during which providers see you can vary dramatically. Sometimes doctors are available to discuss particular matters only very early in the morning or late at night. Sometimes they are only available during the day, when family members helping you may be at work. You likely haven’t gotten much sleep, with alarms sounding and medical professionals running additional tests.
While all of this can be stressful, try to remember that the goal is to improve your health. Still, these factors can all make a hospital stay very complicated, and at times confusing. But before you leave the hospital, be sure to clear up a few things with your providers so you know what to expect upon discharge.
Recovery Time
Often, you will be facing further recovery and healing at home. Before you depart, ask your health care provider what your post-hospital care routine and expected recovery time look like. It might take a day or two — or even weeks or months — before you fully recover. The recovery period will depend a lot on what brought you to the hospital in the first place. If you have other medical conditions — like underlying lung or heart problems — recovery will probably take longer. Further, you might need physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. This rehabilitation can occur while you are an outpatient, at home or at a rehabilitation center. Getting these details will help you evaluate when you can resume your usual day-to-day activities.
[See: 12 Questions to Ask Before Discharge.]
Pending Test Results
Certain blood test results may not be available before you leave. You may have had a biopsy or other tests that require review by special labs. If you are discharged before you receive all of your test results, find out when you might expect to receive them. Also be sure to know who will contact you about those results and whether any additional follow-up will be required. If you have abnormal lab results during your stay, be sure to ask if those tests require any follow-up.
Medication
It is critical that you know what medications you are taking when you enter the hospital, so bring a list or the bottles. Also make sure that your doctor knows of any allergies, intolerances or side effects you have to medications. Compare this information to the list of new medications you are supposed to take upon discharge. If you need any new medications, be sure to ask how you are going to get them. Will someone call the pharmacy? If so, which pharmacy? Are you leaving the hospital with a prescription? If so, is it a commonly prescribed medication that’s easily available — or one that may not be available at your pharmacy? Calling the pharmacy before leaving the hospital can help prevent confusion after discharge. Since problems can arise, be sure you obtain contact information for the providers who prescribed the medications.
Follow-Up
The doctors who take care of you in the hospital may not be the doctors who follow up with you later. Most primary care doctors will want to see you within one to two weeks of discharge to find out about the hospitalization, medication changes, any new issues that might need to be monitored, etc. Therefore, it is important to follow up with your primary care doctor, even if you are feeling great. There also may be other doctors or specialists you need to follow up with. Your hospital team and primary care provider can help coordinate this.
[See: Behind the Window: What Pharmacists Do.]
Game Plan
Once you leave the hospital, you might discover you have additional questions. Perhaps you forgot to ask something during your stay. Perhaps you’re experiencing new symptoms or other issues. If you have not yet seen your primary care doctor and you are having an issue with something related to the hospitalization (your symptoms got worse, say, or you have questions about your medication), call the doctor who treated you in the hospital. If you recently saw your primary care provider, he or she can probably guide you.
Being in the hospital can be scary and overwhelming. Getting discharged is a good sign that you are on the road to recovery. Keep these questions in mind to help ensure your transition back home goes as smoothly as possible.
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5 Questions to Ask Before Leaving the Hospital originally appeared on usnews.com
