• A is for Advocate
  
  Be your own best advocate.  Always respect your symptoms.  Tell us if there is a change in the way you feel.  Write down any questions or concerns you may have and share them with your physician.

• B is for Bedrest
  
  Rest is essential to any treatment plan.  However, too much rest may not be ideal.  If you are hospitalized, ask your physician about your designated activity level.  There are some situations when complete bed rest is necessary.  However, the majority of patients are encouraged to move about and sit up in a chair for meals.    

  Any patient with a high risk for falls should always ask for help when he or she needs to get out of bed.  

• C is for Communicate
  
  Communication is vital to an effective healthcare partnership between you and your health care providers.

  During a hospital stay, you will meet many different people – medical assistants, nurses, respiratory technicians, and physicians.  We understand that it is nearly impossible to remember everyone’s name.  Try to learn the names of your nurses.  Your nurse is essential to your medical care because he/she helps facilitate communication between you and your medical team.   

  All patients deserve to know what is going on with their care.  If you do not understand a reason for a particular test or what the results mean, ask your physician.   

  To help further understanding between you and the hospital staff, you can request a family member or friend to stay with you overnight in the hospital.  We, as physicians, find this very helpful and encourage family to stay with you (if possible). 

  Please remember that translators are available (upon request) at the hospital. 

• D is for Designate and Drugs
  
  If you would like us to discuss your care with your family, please designate one person with whom we should share your information.    

  Drugs are often prescribed when you are in the hospital.  Your nurse is responsible for dispensing the medicines to you.  At most facilities, your identification wrist band is scanned before any drugs are dispensed.  This ensures that you receive the medicines ordered for you. 

• E is for Equipment

  Some patients are overwhelmed by the equipment at the hospital.  Here is an explanation of the more common things you may see on a cardiac (heart) unit of a hospital and the reasons for them.

  Telemetry
  Consider telemetry to be a wireless electrocardiogram (EKG) machine.  Sticky electrodes are placed on your chest (just like with an EKG).  These electrodes are attached to a small box that fits in the pocket of your hospital gown.  A telemetry technician monitors what your heart is doing at all times.  With this information, we can find out how fast your heart beats and whether the heart rhythm is normal.

  Pulse Oximetry
  A pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.  The actual device is a small piece of plastic that gently clamps the tip of your index finger.  The pulse oximeter is attached to a wire which is connected to the telemetry box.  Your oxygen levels are constantly monitored by a telemetry technician.

  Intravenous Line
  An intravenous needle (IV) is usually inserted into a forearm vein.  Medications and fluids can be administered through your IV.  If you notice redness, swelling, or pain at your IV site, tell your nurse or physician.  We will examine the site and determine whether a new IV site is needed. 

  Oxygen Tubing
  Supplemental oxygen is delivered through a clear plastic tube that is connected to the wall.  If oxygen is ordered for you, a small attachment will be placed on the tubing so it can rest just inside your nostrils.    

  Foley Catheter
  A Foley catheter is a thin plastic tube that inserts into your bladder to help collect urine.  If you do not know understand the reason for your catheter, ask your nurse or physician if it can be removed.   

  Scale
  There are many different scales in the hospital.  If your physician asks that you be weighed daily, your nurse should weigh you on the same scale every day.  If you notice that the scale is different, please let your physician know when he or she sees you that day.

• F is for Follow-up

  Before you are sent home from the hospital, you should receive a written copy of your discharge instructions.  This should list your medications, specific activity limitations, and date for a follow up appointment in our office.  It is extremely important that you follow up with us after a hospital stay.  If you have any questions regarding your instructions, please ask your physician before you leave the hospital.

We hope these tips alleviate some of your concerns about being in a hospital.  Thank you for your consideration.