An insider ’s guide to a hospital stay

Hopefully, you’ll never experience what it’s like to be an inpatient in the hospital. But even if it’s not you, it’s likely that someone — family member, good friend, colleague — will experience a hospital stay at some point. We want you to help you be as informed (and comfortable) as possible. The emergency room Although people sometimes use the emergency room for a routine doctor visit, it’s really a place for… emergencies. If you need to go to an emergency room, you’ll first be “triaged.” That means that based on your symptoms or type of injury, you will be assigned to a status that will determine how quickly you are seen and treated. Chest pain, a sudden severe headache, bleeding from a wound that doesn’t stop, shortness of breath: these are all emergencies, and these patients will be seen immediately for urgent evaluation. If you have a cold or a sore ankle, you’ll be assigned a less urgent spot, and may wait hours before being seen. Unless it really is a true emergency, it’s best to call your primary care provider first. She or he can help determine if in fact you need an emergent visit, and can call ahead and let the medical staff know that you’re on your way and what’s wrong. This may expedite your care. Once you are checked in, you’ll start with an assessment by a nurse, and then a medical assistant may check your blood pressure and heart rate, as well as your temperature and pain level (“vital signs”). You may be assessed by...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Managing your health care Source Type: blogs