Hospitals aren’t places that you’d typically want to visit if you can help it. The only reason you’d go there is to visit someone getting treated in one or to have tests or surgery completed.
You’re likely reading this today because you’ve soon got to spend some time in a hospital having a surgical procedure carried out or to stay one or more nights for observation as part of some diagnostic tests.
While staying in a hospital isn’t the same as staying in a hotel, there are some steps to ensure you have a mostly positive experience in one. Take a look at the following suggestions for some inspiration:
Check Your Hospital Has Mostly Positive Reviews
You should do some research online and determine your hospital’s general rating, just as you would if you were researching accommodation or restaurants. It’s relatively easy to find out how well a hospital is doing, so you should check you’re staying at a good one.
Hospitals you should avoid are ones with staffing issues and ones where each patient is likely to use a medical malpractice lawyer to sue them. All hospitals will have some negative feedback; make sure yours isn’t primarily negative!
Pack Some Creature Comforts
All hospitals will offer clean beds with basic mattresses and pillows, and the room or ward you’re staying in will be sterile and offer bathroom facilities. Apart from that, you can’t expect much in the way of creature comforts, so you should bring your own from home.
For example, it makes sense to bring a comfortable pillow or two, a blanket, and some way of entertaining yourself if you’re spending most of the time in your bed.
It can be a good idea to bring your smartphone and upgrade to an unlimited data plan so you can stream music and movies to your device from the Internet. Of course, you’ll also need your earphones as your neighbors won’t appreciate loud music or sound from your phone.
Other things you should bring include any newspapers and magazines you enjoy reading, a pen or two, and some refreshments and light snacks (assuming you’re allowed to eat food before and after any procedures).
Bring a Bag of Clothes With You
If you’re having a surgical procedure, you’ll likely get asked to wear a hospital gown. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear other clothes with it, such as those to protect your modesty and keep you warm in bed or when you’re walking around the ward.
It’s a good idea to pack lots of spare clothing, even if you’re only having a short stay in the hospital. Also, make sure you bring an empty bag with you to put your dirty clothes in so you can get them laundered once you’re back at home.
Final Thoughts
The above suggestions are just some of the ways you can make a hospital stay more comfortable and bearable. Remember to check if there are any restrictions on what you can bring before staying in a hospital.
