What is a typical daily routine for patients at a hospital?
A typical hospital daily routine really varies very much with the reason you are in the hospital, the acuity of your care, the location of the hospital, and most specifically the condition and the orders written by your physician. But, in general, you can expect a nurse or an aid to take your vital signs at least every eight hours. You can expect a nurse to perform a physical assessment at least every eight or twelve hours, depending on the hospitals cycles. Medications are given many times during the day; blood and laboratory specimens may be drawn based on your doctors orders. You may have to be taken to other parts of the hospital for diagnostic examinations, such as radiology or other labs. Specialty technicians may come to your room to take an electric cardiogram or help you with breathing. If you are not able to walk without assistance, you will have to use the call button to get to the bathroom facilities. Expect meals to be served somewhat earlier than you are normally used to. Most meals are served at 7:30, 11:30, and 5:30, and snacks are available as requested. If you are scheduled for surgery you will not be allowed to eat or drink for about eight to twelve hours prior to that surgery. The normal routine of the day at a hospital starts at about 7:00 AM, and the busy times are from 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM, and visiting times usually end around eight or nine pm at night.
