1. Arrange for a private room, as soon as one is available. This can reduce some of the potential for hospital-acquired infection. Also, when you are sleeping, ill, or drugged are very bad times to be mentally recording a roommate’s negative conversation. You need quiet and rest!
2. Keep the door to your room closed for the above reasons.
3. Keep visitors silent unless you are fully awake and conscious. They can socialize in the hallway.
4. Keep the T.V. off. This is not a good time to be hearing the continual bad news and alarming drug company advertisements.
5. Only let cheerful, constructive people know that you are in the hospital. People expressing criticism or worry about you will not help you heal!
6. At all times, no matter how bad you feel, do not antagonize your caregivers. Treat them with courtesy and respect.
7. Keep your painkiller medications to a minimum as they delay healing.
8. As soon as you are able, walk around. Take small journeys to the bathroom or the end of the hallway. Bodies do not perform well laying flat for days at a time. If you cannot get up, try to find a window to look out of or just keep looking around, taking an interest in your environment.
9. As much as possible, have your most trusted person there with you, to help you make decisions.
10. Have healthy food brought in for you. Nutrition is not a hospital’s specialty. Learn more about healthy hospital food.
11. It is usually a good idea to go home at the earliest moment your doctor approves your release.

See other tips in my hospitals series on how to make the most out of a hospital stay.

Best of health,

Dr. Pepi

September 14, 2009