- Arrange to have family, a friend, or an independent advocate to accompany you when you are in an emergency room or admitted to a hospital. This arrangement needs to be made in advance of a need.
- If an ambulance is needed, ask the emergency medical technicians to silence the siren(s) so it will not alarm or frighten your neighbors.
- Keep a current medication list available. It is also helpful to have a current list of health care conditions on yourself and your immediate family.
- Ask all doctors, emergency, and hospital personnel to identify themselves and ask them what their responsibility or involvement with your care might be.
- You and your advocate have the right to talk and ask questions to the attending anesthesiologist and surgeon prior to any surgical procedure.
- Ask to speak with the hospital social worker or nurse navigator upon admission to help you determine what home arrangements might need to be in place or if your home is suitable to promote healing after hospitalization.
- It is the responsibility of hospital personnel to treat you with professional respect and courtesy at all times and make sure you are safe and as comfortable as possible. You may ask them to silence alarms as soon as possible. Ensure all hospital personnel practice proper hygiene, including hand washing techniqes and are wearing all necessary protective personal equipment before providing care to you.
- It is important to have someone with you during discharge planning and discharge.
- You should refuse to transport medical equipment in your own vehicle unless proper training has been given.
- You, or your advocate, must be willing to report any non-professional or unsuitable behavior to the proper resources in the hospital or other licensing entities.
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