I have dealt with hospitals via childbirths, sick loved ones and my own injuries. Chances are that if you are visiting a hospital, you are there for an emergency or urgent situation. I don’t have all of the answers, but I am here to share some tips that made my hospital interactions better.
If you survey three of your friends, you will likely hear of two or more hospital horror stories. Mistreatments, misdiagnoses, and long hospital waits are just a few of the things I have heard about. Regardless of your profession, poverty level or station in life, hospital visits can be a stressful time. Stress levels can rise higher when you have a sick child, elderly loved one, or yourself is hospitalized.
GO Prepared
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical condition, try to document it with audio or video evidence. Record the cough, videotape the limp, or write down everything that is happening when you can do so calmly. Your primary care doctor knows you and your history well. The triage nurse and ER team does not. The more information that you can provide, the better the diagnosis in most cases. To not have this information means your medical staff is making an educated guess at what you need. Why not help them help you?
Be Polite
The clearer your communication, the more effective your message. Courtesy and goodwill go a long way. You definitely want to use your manners when dealing with medical professionals. Not only will they go the extra mile for you, but it will help your stress levels stay low if you aren’t at odds with the ppl entrusted with the care of you or your loved one.
Ask questions
Back to stress level maintenance – fear of the unknown can be crippling. Dire prognoses or confusing medical jargon can cause anxiety and stress. If any medical information is presented to you and you are unclear of what it means, feel free to ask for clarification. Ask for a translator, for someone to explain or re-explain anything and any information presented to you that you do not understand.
Be Firm
Being polite should always be your first instinct, but if you are confused or unsatisfied with your hospital experience, you should firmly raise those concerns. Repeat these concerns if necessary. I recently dealt with a doctor who was not as polite and transparent as he could have been. I voiced my concerns with the staff, who had patient care follow up with me. They were polite and tried to explain the doctor’s actions. I firmly reiterated the fact that I was unsatisfied and that the staff themselves echoed my concerns and were willing to stand by my version of events. Moral of the story is to stand firm in your desire for information or outcomes at hospitals.
Build Rapport
Whether I was at the hospital for a child birth or visiting a sick relative, I made it a point to speak to everyone that walked into the room. It didn’t matter if it was the hospitality staff, food services, residents, nurses, attending, etc. People will share their stories with you. I met a man who said his son being born on 9/11 saved him from dying at work in the twin towers. Other staff knew people that I went to school with and reconnected us. A few friendly conversations can also get you an extra hour of visiting time, food, and many other things within reasonable limits.
Ask and ye shall receive
If you have to stay at a hospital overnight, you should try to get as comfortable as possible. When the staff ask if there is anything that they can get for you, be honest. You are already paying for the visit, so stock up on supplies (again within reason). When my kids were born, we stocked up on baby supplies by asking each shift for the diapers, wipes, and goodies we would need for the first few months. I saved money, and got my money’s worth from a reputable hospital.
Phone a friend
Remember your good friend who went to nursing school or med school? Why not find out where they work and what they do? They may be able to call in a favor, get you seen faster, get you discharged faster, or even assist in the care of you or your loved one. Most medical professionals don’t work on people they know, but they can tell their colleagues to treat you like family. It does not always work, but you won’t know until you try.
What do you think of this list? Did we miss anything? Drop a comment below.
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