Hospital Stays
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.
What types of meals will I receive at the hospital?
Menu cards consistent with your doctors orders and dietary restrictions are usually provided daily in hospitals, to allow you to make your own selections. If your doctor determines you need a special diet, you will be able to select specific foods from within those diet limitations. If you select each of the categories on the menu such as a main dish, salad, side dish and dessert, you will end up with a very well balanced and filling diet. But, please understand, hospital food is not gourmet and does not contain fancy sauces or style. Hospital food tends to be a little bit bland in order to be acceptable to the largest number of people. Also appreciate that sometimes your palate, your taste, is affected by medications or anesthesia during your hospital stay. Be happy if the food arrives hot and on time in hospital.
Which doctors will I encounter while at the hospital?
While your at the hospital you will be taken care of by a physician called an attending physician. This may be the same physician you see at their office or it may be a hospitalist a physician that works full time at the hospital. If you're taken care of by a hospitalist this physician will be in constant communication with your private physician to make sure that they are kept aware of everything that occurs while you're in the hospital. Sometimes other members of a physicians group see you when your doctor has a day off. If your attending physician or hospitalist requests that a specialist see you in consultation you will be visited by these individuals. The specialist may see you once, they may see you a number of times. It really depends on your medical condition. If you're in a teaching hospital, you will also encounter residents and medical students who are in completing their training and under the supervision of more senior doctors may also be involved in your care.
What staff members will I encounter while at the hospital?
Hospitals are very complicated places and we have many different kinds of individuals. You are very likely to encounter: nurses, nurse assistants, doctors, lab technicians, X-ray technologists, EKG technicians, transportation assistants, clerical employees, housekeepers, and dietary aides - just to name a few. You may also encounter maintenance employees, registered dieticians and social workers. There are more than 50 occupational classifications within the average hospital.
Who will explain my medical procedures or condition to me while I am in the hospital?
Your doctor has the primary responsibility to explain your medical condition and procedures to you. When you encounter various technicians and technologists who may be drawing blood, running EKG machines, and performing various examinations or treatments, they will describe to you what they're doing and answer any questions about the work they are doing. But please understand, they cannot provide you with any information about the results of the exam or why your doctor ordered the exam. If you have any questions of this nature, please address them to your registered nurse, or your physician.
Who can I talk to if I have a problem with my hospital treatment?
Almost every hospital has an ombudsman or patient services consultant, whose job it is to resolve patient concerns. If that person's not able to resolve your concerns, ask to speak to a nursing supervisor. Many hospitals also have a hotline to deal with problems right away. Ask to speak to other members of the administration if your needs aren't being met.
Why are family visits important during a hospital stay?
Because hospitals are very complicated places, and because patients themselves are often disoriented or impacted by pain, it's very import to have family members in attendance to the maximum degree possible. This is not to interfere with the care process, but to help the patient communicate with staff and with very minor things like fluffing a pillow or moving a bed stand closer - things that make creature comforts a tad more amenable.
