Tessa Quinn
Being admitted to a hospital means occupying a hospital bed under the care of hospital staff. People are usually admitted to a hospital when they have a serious or life-threatening problem, such as a heart attack, stroke, or trauma. However, they may also be admitted for less serious disorders that cannot be treated elsewhere. The process of admission varies depending on the individual's circumstances and the critical nature of their injury or illness. For example, a patient with severe head trauma will be admitted differently from a patient with a fractured wrist. In this text, we will explore the different ways to get admitted to a hospital and what to expect during the admission process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for hospitalisation | Depression, psychosis, mania, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts/behaviours, harm to self or others, psychotic episode, detox from drugs or alcohol, surgery, special medication, other treatments |
| Hospital staff | Doctors, nurses, medical students, resident doctors, hospital volunteers, anesthesiologists, surgeons |
| Hospitalisation process | Admissions process, paperwork, questions about medical history and symptoms, taking vital signs |
| Planning for hospitalisation | Compile necessary information, prepare an advance directive and medical power of attorney, assign a health care proxy, keep a medication list, bring equipment such as hearing aids or mobility aids |
| During hospital stay | Stick to your routine, keep moving, rest at the right time, communicate with staff about your daily routine, spend time out of bed |
| Post-hospital syndrome | A period of vulnerability lasting up to seven weeks after discharge, increased risk for rehospitalisation or death |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare an 'in case of hospitalisation' plan with your doctor
Preparing an "in case of hospitalisation" plan with your doctor is an important step in safeguarding your health and optimising your hospital stay. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare such a plan:
Identify Your Health Condition and Needs:
Firstly, understand your health condition and identify any specific needs or concerns you may have. This includes recognising if you have a chronic health condition, such as heart failure, cancer, dementia, or any other issue that may require hospitalisation. Knowing your health status will help you tailor your plan effectively.
Choose a Trusted Advocate:
Assign a trusted person, such as a relative or friend, as your health care proxy or medical power of attorney. This advocate will have the legal authority to communicate your healthcare preferences and make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Discuss your medical care preferences, wishes, and values with them in advance so that they can accurately represent your interests.
Prepare Important Documents and Directives:
Compile essential information and documents in one place. This includes an up-to-date list of your medications, any advance directives or medical power of attorney documents, and your healthcare proxy's contact information. Keep these documents easily accessible, and consider sharing them with your trusted advocate and relevant medical professionals.
Plan for Your Daily Routine:
Maintain as much of your daily routine as possible during your hospital stay. Inform the clinical staff about your routine, including dietary preferences, sleep patterns, and personal care practices. This helps the hospital staff accommodate your needs and ensures that your daily habits are respected and continued during your hospitalisation.
Arrange Practical Matters:
Take care of practical matters before your hospital stay. This includes organising someone to look after your home, plants or pets, and making arrangements for your return, such as transport and any necessary equipment or medications you may require upon discharge. Inform your employer about your upcoming absence, and consider any financial implications and outstanding bills that need attention.
Understand Your Hospital Discharge Plan:
Work with your healthcare professionals to develop a clear hospital discharge plan. Understand the next steps in your care, including any follow-up appointments, ongoing treatment, and support services available to you after your hospital stay. Ensure you have the necessary information and resources to continue your recovery process smoothly once you leave the hospital.
Remember, preparing an "in case of hospitalisation" plan is a personalised process, and you should seek advice from your doctor to tailor it to your specific needs and health condition.
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Seek immediate help if you're experiencing a mental health crisis
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, it is important to seek immediate help. This may involve calling emergency services or voluntarily admitting yourself to a hospital. Here are some steps you can take:
Recognize the Signs of a Mental Health Crisis
Signs of a mental health crisis can vary from person to person. Some common indicators that you may need support include experiencing chronic anxiety, having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or facing difficulty in taking care of yourself, such as eating, bathing, or sleeping properly. If you are concerned about your mental health and feel that you might be at risk of harming yourself or others, it is crucial to seek help immediately.
Reach Out for Emergency Assistance
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or facing a mental health emergency, call the relevant emergency services in your area, such as 911 in North America. These services are equipped to respond to mental health crises and can provide immediate assistance.
Voluntary Hospital Admission
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis but are not in immediate danger, you have the option to voluntarily admit yourself to a hospital or mental health facility. This decision can be made if you feel that hospitalization could help stabilize your mental health and provide a safe environment.
Seek Professional Help
Speak to a trusted healthcare professional, such as your general practitioner (GP), psychiatrist, or another mental health specialist. They can assess your condition and determine if hospitalization or other treatment options are appropriate for your situation.
Contact Crisis Support Services
In addition to emergency services, there are crisis support services available that you can contact for help. These include crisis lifelines, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 in the US), which provide trained counselors to support you through a mental health crisis.
Prepare for the Hospital Admission Process
If you choose to voluntarily admit yourself to a hospital, be prepared for the admission process. This may involve scheduling an assessment with trained medical staff, who will evaluate your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan. Remember that the length of your stay will depend on your individual needs and progress.
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Know what to expect during your hospital stay
If you've never been hospitalized before, it's normal to feel intimidated, overwhelmed, or scared. Hospitals are unfamiliar places, full of unusual sounds and smells. However, learning about what to expect during your stay can ease your mind and help you prepare.
Firstly, it's important to understand why you need to go to the hospital. Some people are admitted through the emergency department for immediate medical treatment, while others are scheduled for admission for procedures like surgery, special medication, or other treatments. Knowing the reason for your hospital stay will help you prepare both mentally and logistically.
Once you arrive at the hospital, you'll go through the admissions process. This typically involves providing insurance information and answering questions about your medical history, current health, and medication. A nurse will also take your vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
During your stay, you'll interact with various healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants, dietary aids, laboratory technicians, housekeepers, and therapists. Your care team will work to protect your privacy and help you get the rest you need. While in the hospital, it's important to stick to your daily routine as much as possible, including maintaining a normal sleep schedule and staying active, within the limits allowed by your medical team.
If you are admitted to a psychiatric hospital, you may be experiencing symptoms such as psychosis, mania, substance misuse, or suicidal thoughts/behaviors. It's important to recognize when hospitalization is necessary for your safety and well-being.
Finally, remember that the primary focus of the hospital team is diagnosing and treating your condition. They will work to help you improve and continue your recovery even after you leave the hospital.
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Understand your rights as a patient
Understanding your rights as a patient is crucial to ensuring you receive the care and treatment you need and deserve. Here are some key points to be aware of:
Informed Consent and Information Transparency: You have the right to receive clear and accurate information about your health, treatment options, and potential outcomes. This includes details about the benefits, risks, and costs associated with each option. You have the right to ask questions until you fully understand your diagnosis and recommended treatments, and your healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide respectful and responsive answers. Informed consent, which means making decisions about your care with this knowledge, is a fundamental right.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Your privacy is a key concern. You have the right to personal space and the protection of your personal data and choices. Your healthcare providers must maintain the confidentiality of your medical records and personal information. You also have the right to access and request amendments to your medical records.
Non-Discrimination: You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. Healthcare providers should address you by your preferred name and ensure respectful conduct during examinations.
Emergency Care Access: Regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay, you have the right to immediate care in hospital emergency rooms for serious conditions or emergencies. Medicare-participating hospitals are required to provide stabilizing treatment, and if they cannot, they must facilitate a transfer to a hospital that can.
Patient Safety and Quality of Care: Hospitals are required to meet patient safety specifications and quality standards. You have the right to expect that your healthcare providers will act in your best interests, providing guidance based on their professional judgment. You can also request the involvement of family or other trusted individuals in your care and decision-making.
Dispute Resolution: If you have concerns or disputes regarding your care, billing, or feel you have been discriminated against, you have the right to a fair and efficient process for resolving these issues. This includes internal and external review systems and, in some cases, civil rights dispute processes.
Remember, while you have these rights as a patient, you also have certain responsibilities, such as respecting other patients and staff, meeting financial obligations, and providing accurate information about your health and medical history.
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Plan for life after hospital
Planning for life after a hospital stay is an important step in ensuring your wishes are met and easing the burden on your loved ones. Here are some detailed steps to help you plan for life after a hospital stay:
Advance Care Planning:
Advance care planning involves thinking about and discussing your wishes for care and treatment in the event of serious illness, injury, or the end of your life. This includes creating advance directives, such as a living will or a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, which specify the treatments you do and do not want to receive. These documents are essential if you are unable to communicate your wishes due to illness or injury. Be sure to review and update these documents regularly, especially after any significant life changes.
Choose a Healthcare Proxy:
Appoint a trusted individual as your healthcare proxy or power of attorney for healthcare. This person will make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. They should be familiar with your values and wishes, and be able to advocate for your best interests.
End-of-Life Planning:
End-of-life planning involves making important decisions and creating legal documents to ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. This includes creating a will, which specifies how your assets will be distributed, as well as any dependents or pets that need care. You may also want to consider organ or tissue donation and document your funeral or memorial service preferences.
Organise Important Documents:
Gather and organise all your important personal, financial, and health-related documents in one secure place. This includes birth and death certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, insurance information, and any other relevant legal documents. This ensures that your loved ones can easily access the information they need and helps streamline decision-making processes.
Seek Professional Help:
End-of-life planning can be complex and emotionally challenging. Consider seeking professional help from a lawyer or financial advisor to ensure your plans are legally valid and comprehensive. Additionally, don't hesitate to reach out to palliative care professionals or counsellors, who can provide valuable support and guidance during this process.
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Frequently asked questions
People need to go to the hospital for different reasons. Some may be admitted through the emergency department for immediate medical treatment, while others may be scheduled for admission to have surgery, receive specific medication, or undergo other treatments prescribed by their doctors.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms of depression, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or your current treatment is not effective, you may need to check yourself into a hospital. Other acute reasons might include hearing voices, especially those commanding violence, or the need to detox from drugs or alcohol.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact emergency services or a crisis hotline for support and assistance. You can also ask your GP, psychiatrist, or another healthcare professional to refer you for treatment.
It is important to plan ahead, especially if you have a chronic health condition. Create an "in case of hospitalisation" plan with your doctor, assign a trusted advocate to be your health care proxy, and ensure you have a current list of your medications available. Bring any equipment you regularly use, such as hearing aids, dentures, eyeglasses, or mobility aids.
