Hailey Tran
Staying overnight at a hospital can be a daunting experience for both adults and children. It is usually the result of a serious condition or surgery, and can be uncomfortable due to noise, lights, and frequent interruptions from nurses. In some cases, family members are allowed to stay overnight with the patient, which can provide comfort and support. The hospital stay involves routine check-ins, paperwork, and consent forms for treatment and billing. Patients are encouraged to stay mobile to aid recovery and avoid complications. Food options vary across hospitals, with some offering menus to choose from and others providing set meal times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check-in | Paperwork should ideally be done ahead of time. |
| Arrival time | The hospital or doctor will inform you. |
| First point of contact | Admitting office or surgery department. |
| Formalities | Signing forms, including consent for treatment, surgery, agreement to pay for uncovered bills, and HIPAA form. |
| Identification | Wristband for identification. |
| Room amenities | Bed, bathroom, shower, window, phone, television, table, nightstand, and controls for the bed. |
| Extras | Fold-out chair or cot for visitors, snacks, toiletries, magazines, and other small items. |
| Meals | May have a menu to choose from unless on a special diet. Some hospitals have set meal times. |
| Care | Doctors, nurses, licensed nurses, nursing assistants, and orderlies. |
| Visiting hours | Friends and family are generally allowed to visit. |
| Discharge | Planning is a team process, and instructions are provided. |
| Mental health | Liaison psychiatry service to meet mental health needs. |
| Overnight stays | Can be disruptive due to noise, frequent checks, and bright lights. |
| Family involvement | Encouraged, especially for children, to provide comfort and maintain routines. |
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What You'll Learn
Checking in and paperwork
Checking in is the first step in your hospital stay. Before you arrive, the hospital or your doctor will let you know what time to arrive and where to go. Typically, you will be directed to the admitting office, but if you're having surgery, you may be told to go directly to the surgery department. It is ideal to have most of the paperwork done ahead of time. You'll probably have to sign a number of forms, such as a general consent for routine treatment, a consent for surgery, an agreement to pay for bills not covered by insurance, and a HIPAA form to keep your health information private. You'll get an identification bracelet for your wrist.
While you're in the hospital, you should be involved in all decisions about your treatment. If you wish, staff will keep members of your family or friends informed about your progress. For some procedures, including operations, you'll be asked to sign a consent form. It's up to you whether you give your consent for a treatment. You should ask as much as you can about the treatment before giving your consent so that you can make an informed decision. You can change your mind after signing the consent form, at any time, including during the procedure.
You may wish to plan ahead for a time when you cannot give consent. You can pre-arrange a legally binding advance decision to refuse treatment (living will), previously known as an advance directive. Your hospital should have a liaison psychiatry service, also known as a psychological medicine service. In discussion with you, your healthcare team should refer you to the liaison psychiatry service where appropriate to ensure your mental health needs are met.
Besides doctors' rounds, your care in the hospital will revolve around your nurses' shifts. Hospital nurses usually work in 8-hour, 12-hour, or even 16-hour shifts, so you'll have several different nurses caring for you throughout the day and night. Nurses are assisted by licensed nurses (LPNs or LVNs), nursing assistants (also called nurse's aides), and orderlies. The hospital's housekeeping staff will visit your room during the day to clean.
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Hospital room setup and amenities
When staying overnight at a hospital, you can expect a variety of room setups and amenities depending on the hospital. Some hospitals offer both private and semi-private rooms, while others have shared rooms. If you have a private room, you may be allowed to have an adult friend or family member stay overnight with you, provided they do not require supervision or physical assistance. Some hospitals provide a fold-out chair or cot, along with blankets and pillows, for overnight guests.
Hospital rooms typically include a bed and a reclining chair. Some hospitals offer electronically operated beds with a call button and controls for lights, phone, television, and radio. Each room usually has a television, and some may provide access to local FM music stations and special health programs. Many hospitals also offer free wireless Internet access, and you may be able to access the Internet through the television in your room.
In terms of amenities, hospitals often provide basic necessities such as toothbrushes, shampoo, and soap. However, if you have sensitive skin or prefer your own products, you may want to bring them. Some hospitals offer snacks, toiletries, magazines, and other small items through hospitality snack carts that volunteers push from room to room. You may also have access to vending machines, gift shops, cafeterias, and coffee carts.
To promote a comfortable and restful environment, hospitals may offer earplugs and observe quiet times during the day and night. Housekeeping staff will typically clean your room during the day, and you may receive visits from volunteers, including animal-assisted therapy programs. It is recommended that you bring items that will help you feel relaxed and comfortable, such as comfortable pajamas, your own pillow, a sleeping mask, earplugs, or soothing music.
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Food and meals
When staying overnight at a hospital, you will be provided with meals. The way this is organised varies between hospitals. Some hospitals have defined times when meals are delivered, while others allow you to order food at any time. In some hospitals, meals are included in your daily charge, while others may charge separately for food. It is also possible that any special dietary requirements you have may impact the cost of your meals.
If you are staying at a hospital with set meal times, you may be able to choose from a menu with a variety of options. Some hospitals provide a menu for you to select your meals from, which may include options for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. For example, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children provides patients with a daily menu and allows them to choose their meals for the next day with the help of their food and nutrition team. Yale New Haven Health Hospital also allows patients to select meals from a restaurant-style menu and place their orders over the phone.
In some cases, you may be able to order food outside of the standard meal times or request something different from the cafeteria. At St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, for instance, parents can dine with their child in their room by purchasing a meal voucher from the hospital cafeteria and placing their order via phone. Similarly, Yale New Haven Health Hospital allows family members to order meals for themselves when they visit.
It is important to note that bringing outside food into the hospital may not always be allowed due to health reasons. However, this may vary depending on the hospital and the specific circumstances. For instance, in the case of childbirth, outside food may be permitted. It is always best to check with your nurse or the hospital staff before bringing or ordering food from outside the hospital.
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Visitors and family
If your child is staying overnight in hospital, your presence can be comforting, especially for younger children. Hospitals may arrange for an extra bed in your child's room or ward. Keeping a routine can help your child feel more at home, so sticking to their usual bedtime routine and bringing their favourite toy or comforter can help. It's important to look after yourself, too, so don't be afraid to take breaks and ask for support from your friends and family.
If your friend or family member is staying overnight in hospital, you can help by bringing them a meal or something from outside the hospital, although you should check with the nurse first. You can also help with their children or other family members, and by giving them a ride home on the day of discharge.
If your loved one is staying in hospital, you can ask the hospital to keep you informed about their progress. You can also help by giving the doctor, nurse or case manager all the phone numbers that can be used to reach you.
If you are staying overnight in hospital, you may be placed in a room with three or four beds. Most rooms have their own bathrooms, a window, a phone, and a television. There will be a table that can be moved over the bed and a separate nightstand next to the bed. Your bed will have controls that raise and lower it. Many hospitals provide a fold-out chair or cot, with a blanket and pillow, so that a friend or family member can stay overnight.
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Staying mobile
If you are staying overnight at a hospital, you will likely be placed in a room with three or four beds, at least initially, immediately following surgery, for example. Most rooms have their own bathrooms, complete with shower stalls. You will probably have a window, and usually a phone and television. There will be a table that can be moved over the bed and a separate nightstand next to it. Your bed will have controls to raise and lower it. Be sure to lower the bed before you get up. There is often not much shelf space or closet space in these rooms, so it is worth bearing this in mind when deciding what to bring with you. Many hospitals provide a fold-out chair or cot, with a blanket and pillow, so that a friend or family member can sleep overnight.
Hospital nurses usually work in 8-hour, 12-hour, or even 16-hour shifts, so you will have several different nurses caring for you throughout the day and night. Nurses are assisted by licensed nurses (LPNs or LVNs), nursing assistants (also called nurse's aides), and orderlies. The hospital's housekeeping staff will visit your room during the day to clean.
In some hospitals, you can order food at any time. Often there is a hospitality snack cart that volunteers push from room to room during the day, selling snack items, as well as toiletries, magazines, and other small items. If a visitor wants to bring you a meal from outside the hospital, or if you want to have something delivered, check with your nurse. It is usually not a problem unless you are on a special diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Expect to be woken up a few times to take medication, replace needles, or for the nurses to take your vitals. You may be placed in a room with three or four beds, depending on your condition. Most rooms have their own bathrooms, a window, a phone, and a television. You will be given an identity bracelet to wear at all times while you're in the hospital.
There is often not much shelf or closet space in hospital rooms, so pack light. You may want to bring a change of clothes, a phone, and a charger. If your child is staying overnight, bring their favourite toy or comforter.
Yes, friends and family are welcome to visit you when you're staying overnight at a hospital. Many hospitals provide a fold-out chair or cot, with a blanket and pillow, so that a friend or family member can sleep overnight.
Ideally, much of the paperwork will have been done ahead of time. When you arrive, a member of staff will direct you to the admitting office, unless you're having surgery, in which case you may be told to go directly to the surgery department. You'll probably have to sign a number of forms, such as a general consent for routine treatment, a consent for surgery, and an agreement to pay for bills not covered by insurance.
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