special subjects
Being Admitted to the Hospital
What to Bring to the Hospital
Whether people are admitted to the hospital through the emergency department or by their doctor, they should bring their medical information. The most important things people should bring are A list of all medications they are taking and the doses of the medications (the list should include over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and medicinal herbs) A list of any medication allergies Any written instructions from their doctor If people do not have this information or they are too ill to communicate, family members or friends should provide it if possible, and they should bring all bottles of medications they can find at home so that the hospital staff can make a list of those medications for the medical record. People should also bring a copy of their most recent medical summary and records of recent hospital stays. However, many people do not have these records. In such cases, the hospital staff typically obtains the information from the primary care doctor, the hospital records department, or both. Hospitals recommend that people also bring Advance Directives and any legal forms that indicate who can make medical decisions for them in case they cannot make decisions for themselves ( People should give all of this information to the nurse responsible for getting them settled into a hospital room. People should also bring the following: Toiletries, including a razor if used at home A robe Sleepwear Slippers Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures (if they are used at home) A Obstructive sleep apnea (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to help with breathing (if they use one) A few personal items, such as photographs of loved ones, to make them feel more comfortable, and, if they wish, something to read Cell phone and cell phone charger If a child is being hospitalized, parents should bring a comforting object, such as a favorite blanket or stuffed toy. Because items often get lost in the hospital (especially when changing rooms), all personal items should be marked or labeled. Valuables (such as a wedding ring or other jewelry, credit cards, and large sums of money) should not be brought to the hospital. Many people bring their own medications to the hospital so that they can use their own supply. However, to ensure patients are receiving the correct type and dose of medication, people are instead given the same or similar medications from the hospital's supply. If people bring medications to the hospital for the doctor or staff to review, the medications are usually returned home by a family member or friend after the medications are recorded in the medical record. Therefore, in general, prescription medications should be left at home. Exceptions are expensive, unusual, or hard-to-obtain medications. These medications should be brought because the hospital may not be able to provide equivalent medications immediately. Such medications include rare chemotherapy drugs and experimental medications. In these cases, the medication is given to the hospital pharmacist who inspects and verifies it before it is given. During the person's hospital stay, the medication is kept in a storage area, and the nurse gives each dose of the medication to the person. 