Inpatient Information & Support
What to Know About Your Hospital Stay
Patient Information
Room amenities
Discharge planning
Use this list frequently during your stay. Talk to your doctor and staff – discharge planner, social worker, or nurse – about the items on this list. Write down any important information, such as names and phone numbers, and ignore any items that don't apply to you.
- Ask where you'll get care after you leave the hospital. Do you have options such as home health care? Tell the staff what you prefer.
- If a caregiver will help you after discharge, write down their name and phone number.
- Ask the staff about your health condition and what you can do to help yourself get better.
- Ask about problems to watch for and what to do about them. Write down a name and phone number of someone to call if you have problems.
- Make a list of all your prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- Review the list with staff.
- Tell the staff about drugs, vitamins, or supplements you took before you were admitted to the hospital. Ask if you should still take these after you leave.
- Write down the name and phone number of someone to call if you have questions about medication.
- Ask if you'll need medical equipment, such as a walker. Who will arrange for this? Write down the name and phone number of someone to call if you have questions about equipment.
- Ask if you're ready to do the following activities. Identify the ones you need help with and tell the staff: bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, climbing stairs, cooking, food shopping, house cleaning, paying bills, getting to doctor appointments, picking up prescription drugs
- Make sure you have support (a caregiver) in place to help with these activities.
- Ask the staff to show you and your caregiver any other tasks that require special skills, such as changing a bandage or giving a shot. Then show them that you can do these tasks. Write down the name and phone number of someone you can call if you need help.
- Ask to speak to a social worker if you're concerned about how you and your family are coping with your illness. Write down information about support groups and other resources.
- Talk to a social worker or your health plan if you have questions about what your insurance will cover and how much you'll have to pay. Ask about possible ways to get help with your costs.
- Ask for written discharge instructions that you can read and understand and a summary of your current health status. Bring this information and your completed "My Drug List" to your follow-up appointments.