Unfortunately, while hospitals are the places where many people recover from injuries or health problems, the idea of them still sparks apprehension in many people. The fear of the unknown can be powerful, and stress can affect your body and have an influence on your recovery.
So, how can you minimize some of that tension if you find yourself heading to the hospital? Below you’ll find four handy tips on how to prepare for the road ahead. When you know certain aspects are taken care of, there are fewer unknowns, resulting in more peace of mind and a more positive experience overall. Here are our top four pieces of advice for before you leave for the hospital.
Talk to Your Insurance Provider
Finances cna play a big role in stress, often because the future is uncertain. We suggest investing time in talking to your insurance provider to determine what expenses they will cover. Having clarity about possible expenses empowers you to make plans about how you’ll pay for them. Knowing you won’t be caught off guard will go a long way in helping you stay calm about the future.
Have a Lawyer on Speed Dial
It’s an unfortunate truth that everything doesn’t always go according to plan inside the hospital walls. If that happens, you’ll want someone fighting on your behalf while you’re feeling weak or dealing with the side effects of a treatment. So, before you’re even booked into the hospital, find out about malpractice lawyers such as the Tinker law firm in your area. Whether it’s a misdiagnosis, negligence or simply about improper communication, make sure a pro is on your side, so you can focus on recovering.
Research the Hospital’s Policies
It’s extremely important to be mindful of hospital policy, especially in the modern landscape of COVID-19. All you need to do is ask about the healthcare facility’s protocols and guidelines for managing patient intakes, sanitizing and protocols for when a positive case is identified. If you’re not given clear answers, you may expect some chaos when you arrive, or the staff aren’t properly trained in following the protocols. Wait if you can, or try going to a different facility.
Are You Ready for the Aftermath?
Another unknown is what will happen when you return home. We suggest you list everything that could be a possible challenge and make a plan to handle it:
- How you’ll get home from the hospital.
- Make sure the home is user-friendly for a patient, such as clearing space if you expect to return in a wheelchair.
- Will you have easy access to food or should you ask friends to assist for a few days after your return?
- Discuss the treatment, the possible side effects and the recovery with your doctor beforehand; now you can plan for the practicalities and the expected recovery timeline.
Once again, knowing what’s coming will make the experience less stressful.
Feeling Better?
You can see that many of these tips are about preparation. Prepare for possible outcomes, expenses and timelines. During your hospital stay, it’s likely that you will be in an environment where you’re not in control the whole time, but you empower yourself by planning ahead. Remove the feeling of uncertainty so you can feel calmer; it’s bound to result in a faster recovery. Do yourself a favor today by taking action.
