Hospital Hints
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The following hints are meant for people who plan to enter the hospital by choice rather than for those who go to the hospital because of an emergency. (Information about emergency care is at the end of this Age Page.) Relatives and friends of patients who are admitted to the hospital also may find this information useful.
What to Bring
It's best to pack as little as you can. However, be sure to bring the following items:
What to Leave Home
Leave cash, jewelry (including wedding rings, earrings, and watches), credit cards, and checkbooks at home or have a family member or friend keep them for you. If you must bring valuables, ask if they can be kept in the hospital safe during your stay. In addition, leave electric razors, hair dryers, and curling irons at home.
Admission
Your first stop in the hospital will be the admitting office. Here you'll sign forms allowing the hospital staff to treat you and to release medical information to your insurance company. You also will be asked about advance directives (explained later in this Age Page).
Most people 65 and older have Medicare health insurance, which has two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Part A helps pay for care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospices, as well as some home health care. It covers a semiprivate room, meals, general nursing, and other hospital services and supplies. It does not pay for private duty nursing, a television or telephone in your room, or a private room, unless medically necessary. For more information about Medicare coverage, call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
If you don't have health insurance, an admissions counselor can advise you about other payment methods and sources of financial aid, such as the Hill-Burton program. Hill-Burton hospitals provide free or below-cost health care to people unable to pay. Eligibility for these free services is based on family size and income. For more infor-mation, call the Hill-Burton hotline at 1-800-638-0742; Maryland residents should call 1-800-492-0359.
Hospital Staff
Once you've filled out all the forms, you'll be taken to your room. You will then begin to meet the health professionals who will care for you while you're in the hospital.
Geriatric Assessment
Some older people have many health problems that threaten their ability to live on their own after they leave the hospital. In some hospitals, a team that includes a doctor, nurse, and social worker addresses the special needs of older patients. This team also may include other specialists and therapists. The team performs a thorough exam, called a geriatric assessment, to learn about the patient's physical and mental health, family life, income, living arrangements, access to community services, and ability to perform daily tasks. The team diagnoses health problems and develops a plan to help older patients get the health care and social services they need.
Hospital Geography
Hospitals have many patient-care areas. For example, patients may be in a private (one- bed) or semiprivate (two-bed) room. The intensive care unit (also called the ICU) has special equipment and staff to care for very ill patients. Coronary care units (CCUs) give intensive medical care to patients with severe heart disease. In both the ICU and CCU, visiting hours are strictly limited and usually only family members are allowed to see patients. Surgery is done in the operating room (OR). After an operation, patients spend time in the recovery room before going back to their own room.
In the emergency room (ER), trained staff treat life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Patients who are badly hurt or very sick are seen first. Because the ER is so busy, less seriously ill patients may have to wait before they are seen by an emergency medical technician, nurse, or doctor.
Safety Tips
Questions
During your hospital stay, you'll probably have many questions about your care. Always feel free to ask your doctor these questions. Your doctor is there to help you get the care you need and to discuss your concerns. Your nurse or social worker also may be able to answer many of your questions or help you get the information you need.
You may find it useful to write down your questions as you think of them. For example, you may want to ask your doctor or nurse some or all of the following questions:
Patient Rights
You can decide in advance what medical treatments you want or don't want in the hospital in case you lose your ability to speak for yourself. You can do this by preparing something called an advance directive. In an advance directive, you tell people how to make medical decisions for you when you can't make them for yourself. You also can name someone else to make medical decisions for you. Two common advance directives are a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care.
In a living will, you write down the kind of medical care you want (or don't want) in case you are unable to make your own decisions. It's called a living will because it takes effect while you are still alive.
In a durable power of attorney for health care, you name someone else (a family member or friend, for example) to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. You also can include instructions about any treatment you want to avoid.
If you have an advance directive, tell your family and make sure they know where it's located. Also, tell your doctor and make sure that the advance directive is part of your medical records. If you have a durable power of attorney for health care, give a copy to the person you've chosen to act on your behalf.
If you need help to prepare an advance directive or if you would like more informa-tion about them, contact your doctor or lawyer. You also can consult your State Attorney General's Office or State Office on Aging.
Discharge Planning
Before going home, you'll need discharge orders from your doctor and a release form from the hospital business office. Discharge planning before leaving the hospital can help you prepare for your health and home-care needs after you go home. The discharge planner can help you arrange for a visiting nurse, hospital equipment, meals-on-wheels, or other services. The discharge planner also knows about senior centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and other long-term care services.
For More Information
The American Hospital Association provides information about hospitals and patient rights. Their address is:
American Hospital Association
One North Franklin
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: 312-422-3000For more information about health and aging, contact:
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Information Center
Telephone: 1-800-222-2225
TTY: 1-800-222-4225
Website: http://www.nih.gov/nia
National Institute on Aging
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
2000
This document sourced from the National Institute on Aging.