Ethan Rhodes
Staying healthy in the hospital is crucial to ensuring your safety and well-being during your recovery. It involves various aspects, such as preventing infections, maintaining mobility, understanding your care plan, and advocating for your needs. Preventing infections is a key aspect, which can be achieved through proper hand hygiene by both patients and healthcare workers, as well as managing catheters and wounds to avoid infection risks. Maintaining mobility is also important, as staying active during your hospital stay can help maintain muscle strength, improve overall well-being, and reduce recovery time after leaving the hospital. Understanding your care plan, asking questions, and having an advocate or helper to support you during your stay can ensure your needs are met and that you receive the best possible care. Additionally, preparing legal documents, such as a living will or power of attorney, can help ensure your wishes are respected in the event that you are unable to express them.
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What You'll Learn
Prevent infections by ensuring hand hygiene and keeping wounds clean
Hand hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent infections. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective at killing germs, but it is important to remember that they kill both good and bad germs. To properly clean your hands, wet them with warm water and use liquid soap if possible. Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather, ensuring that you cover all surfaces, including the area around and under your fingernails. Continue rubbing your hands for at least 15 seconds, then rinse.
It is important to clean your hands before and after touching wounds, changing bandages, using the restroom, and touching surfaces such as bed rails and doorknobs. Additionally, always clean your hands before preparing or eating food, and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
When it comes to keeping wounds clean, proper care is essential to prevent infection and speed up the healing process. Immediately after an injury, wash the wound thoroughly with clean water and mild soap, removing any visible dirt or debris. Apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding. Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing until there is no more fluid draining from it, and change the dressing regularly. For burn wounds, cool the area with water or a wet cloth, and apply a thin layer of ointment before covering with a bandage. Continue cleaning the area twice daily with soap and water, applying a new bandage and ointment each time, until the wound is fully healed.
In a hospital setting, it is important to ensure that healthcare workers are also practising good hand hygiene. Don't be afraid to remind doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to wash their hands before and after touching you. The same goes for your visitors—ask them to wash their hands before and after their visit.
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Understand your treatment and ask questions about your medications
When staying in a hospital, it is important to understand your treatment and ask questions about your medications. This means actively engaging with your healthcare team and taking an interest in your care plan. Ask your doctor or another member of your healthcare team to explain your treatment, why you need certain procedures, and what medications you will be taking. For example, if you have a catheter or drain inserted, ask about the purpose of this and how you can avoid infection.
It is also beneficial to have an advocate or helper with you during your hospital stay. This person can be a friend or family member who can support you and ensure your needs are met. They can ask questions on your behalf and help you understand your treatment. They can also remind medical staff to wash their hands or wear gloves, reducing the risk of infection.
Before your hospital stay, ensure you have a list of all your current medications. This information is crucial for your healthcare team to have, as it can help them make informed decisions about your treatment and prescribe appropriate medications. It is also important to ask about the medications you are given in the hospital. Inquire about the purpose of each drug, the dosage, and any potential side effects. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of adverse events, such as inaccurate medication administration.
Additionally, be sure to follow any instructions provided by your healthcare team, especially regarding your medications. For example, if you are prescribed antibiotics before or after surgery, take them as directed and for the full course to reduce the risk of infection. Understanding your treatment and being proactive about your medications can empower you to take control of your health and well-being during your hospital stay.
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Keep moving, even if it's just sitting in a chair for meals
Staying in bed all day in the hospital can have adverse effects on your health. It can lead to reduced blood flow, muscle loss, weakness, and a drop in blood pressure, which can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy when you get up. It can also cause gastric reflux and negatively impact your mental health.
Sitting in a chair instead of lying in bed can bring structure to your day and help alleviate depression. It can also positively impact your physical health. For example, sitting upright in a chair enables better lung expansion and helps mobilize pulmonary secretions. It is also better for your back muscles, neck, and spine.
Even if you are just sitting in a chair for meals, this can help maintain muscle strength and lower the risk of postoperative complications. According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, moving your body within 24 hours of surgery—including transferring from bed to chair, rising from a chair, and sitting in a chair rather than in bed to eat—can reduce the length of patients' hospital stays.
If you are able to, try to walk around the hospital hallways or unit multiple times a day, with a nurse, friend, or aide. However, even just sitting in a chair for meals is beneficial for your health.
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Plan ahead with a living will and medical power of attorney
Planning ahead with a living will and medical power of attorney is a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are respected and your needs are met if you ever find yourself unable to communicate them. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare these essential documents:
Living Will:
A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment when you are unable to make those decisions yourself. In this document, you can specify which treatments or procedures you would like to receive and which ones you would like to avoid, along with the conditions under which these choices apply. It is important to give careful thought to whom you appoint as your surrogate or health care proxy, as they will be responsible for ensuring your wishes are respected.
Medical Power of Attorney:
Also known as a durable power of attorney for healthcare, this document gives your chosen surrogate or health care proxy the legal authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. It grants them the power to review your medical records, gather information from your medical team, and make informed decisions about your care based on your wishes. Additionally, it empowers them to agree with your physician to stop medical attention if you are in a vegetative state or facing a terminal condition.
Practical Considerations:
It is recommended to consult an experienced estate planning attorney when drafting these documents, as they are technical and require careful consideration. While it is not a legal requirement to involve an attorney, doing so can help prevent future disputes and ensure your intentions are clearly understood. Make several copies of these documents, providing one set to your doctors and caregivers, while keeping the originals safe at home. Share your plans with your chosen surrogate, doctors, and loved ones, and ensure your surrogate is someone you trust and who understands your values and preferences.
Additional Considerations:
You may also want to establish other medical orders, such as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, which becomes part of your medical chart and instructs staff in a hospital or nursing facility. Additionally, you can document your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation, and explore care options such as palliative care and hospice care.
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Take precautions to prevent falls
Staying in a hospital can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to ensure you stay safe and healthy during your stay. One of the most important things is to take precautions to prevent falls. Here are some detailed suggestions to prevent falls during your hospital stay:
Firstly, if you use mobility aids such as glasses, specific shoes, or a walker, ensure you have them with you during your hospital stay. This will help you maintain your balance and stability, reducing the risk of falls. It is also important to report your fall history to your medical team and request a falls risk assessment from a physical therapist. They can evaluate your balance, identify hazards in your hospital room, and review your medications for any side effects that may lead to falls, such as dizziness. If you are assessed as being at high risk for falls, ask a member of your medical team to assist you whenever you need to get out of bed.
Secondly, staying active and moving your body can help maintain muscle strength and lower the risk of postoperative complications. According to a 2022 study, moving within 24 hours of surgery can reduce the length of a patient's hospital stay. Simple activities such as transferring from bed to chair, sitting in a chair to eat meals, or walking the hallways can help keep you active and reduce your fall risk. However, always ensure you have approval from your medical team before engaging in any physical activity.
Thirdly, be mindful of your surroundings and identify potential hazards that could contribute to falls. For example, ensure that any equipment brought into your room, such as a wheelchair, has been properly cleaned and is free from obstacles that could cause a tripping hazard. Additionally, be aware of any medications you are taking that may cause dizziness or balance issues, and inform your medical team if you experience any side effects that could increase your fall risk.
Lastly, it is essential to have an advocate or helper who can support you during your hospital stay. This person can be a friend or family member who can assist you in getting out of bed, walking, or simply providing an extra set of eyes to identify fall hazards. They can also help you understand your medical care and ensure your needs are met. By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falls and improve your overall safety during your hospital stay.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a good idea to prepare a hospital packing list in advance. This can include your insurance card, a list of emergency contacts, toiletries, eyeglasses, your cell phone and charger, and any specific shoes or mobility aids you use. It is also important to fill out any necessary paperwork, such as a living will or power of attorney, and make sure your loved ones know where these documents are kept.
Preventing infections is crucial to staying healthy in the hospital. Always ensure that your hands and your visitor's hands are washed before and after touching you or your surroundings. If you have a catheter or drain inserted, follow the instructions for care and check them often to prevent infection. Ask your healthcare team about the necessity of catheters, IVs, and other equipment, and request that they be removed if possible to reduce the risk of infection.
It is important to keep moving during your hospital stay, as it can help maintain muscle strength and reduce recovery time. Get out of bed and sit in a chair for meals, or take a stroll in the hallways if possible. A physical therapist can provide tips on safe physical activities, such as supervised exercises, to improve your muscle strength and promote independence during your stay.
Falls are preventable, and it is important to address any fall risks before they occur. Report your fall history to your medical team and request a falls risk assessment from a physical therapist. They can help identify hazards in your hospital room and any medications that may cause side effects leading to falls. If you are at high risk, ask a member of your medical team to assist you when getting out of bed.
Take an active role in your healthcare by asking questions and staying informed. Ensure you understand the purpose of any tests, procedures, or medications, and don't be afraid to seek explanations if something is unclear. Having an advocate or helper, such as a trusted friend or family member, can also ensure your needs as a patient are met. They can be present during interactions with your medical team and help you make decisions.
