Whether you’ve been in the hospital for a planned or emergency procedure, there are a few things to keep in mind as you await the discharge orders from your physician. Consider the following list of preparations to help you continue the road to a smooth recovery.
The hospital discharge process often happens quickly, so it can be challenging to get the information you need. To avoid any confusion, ask for a written discharge plan a few days before you leave the hospital. This instruction sheet gives you details on what you can and can’t do. Read through the paper carefully, and make sure you understand everything, including incision or wound care. If you have any questions, make sure you ask them before the big moment arrives.
Write a list of all your current medications, including any vitamins and supplements you took before your hospital stay. Ask the nurse or your doctor if you should continue taking all of these or if there are additional medications to take. If you do have new medications, make sure you understand what they are, how often and how long you need to take them and if they are covered by your insurance.
Consider everything you need to do before you leave the hospital. For example, do you need to arrange for long-term care, will you need to rent any special medical equipment or will you need to make modifications to your assisted living apartment? If so, ask someone to help you make these arrangements so everything is ready for you when you arrive.
After you leave the hospital, you'll probably need to follow up with your physician to ensure you are healing and recovering as you should. Find out if the hospital has already made this appointment or if should you do this yourself.
Make sure you understand what the normal signs of healing are and any concerns you should look for. This should include measurable signs, like blood pressure, weight and temperature. Know where to go and who to call if you experience any side effects.
At Autumn View Gardens in Creve Coeur, Missouri, service is the heart of our mission. When you arrive home from the hospital, we can provide licensed nurse supervision, assistance with personal needs and a 24-hour emergency call system to help you through recovery.
