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The Role of a Lifetime
be a partner in care
When a loved one is in the hospital, you may feel helpless. But you can play an integral role in the recovery, from helping ensure the proper medication is administered to carefully recording physicians’ post-hospital care instructions.
“You can be a partner in care,” says Joanna Kaufman, R.N., spokesperson for the Institute for Family-Centered Care in Bethesda, Maryland. “Taking a team approach with the hospital staff may help your family member do better, and you’ll feel less anxious when you’re more involved.” Kaufman offers these suggestions for those with a loved one who has had major surgery:
- Check medicines. “Every time there’s a medication brought in, ask: What is that, and what is it for? Even if it’s the same medication five times,” Kaufman says. “Compile a list of all medications your loved one has been taking so you’ll be prepared to answer when a doctor asks.”
- Peek at the dinner tray. “Mistakes sometimes happen with meals,” Kaufman says. “For example, your loved one may be served a meal that may have too much salt or fat.”
- Be an insurance expert. “Take time to study your policy, or call your insurance company so you know what is covered and what’s not covered,” Kaufman says. “When it comes time to make decisions about care, you’ll be prepared.”
- Get written instructions. “While many regulatory agencies require written post-hospital care instructions, a lot of times a doctor will fill out a prescription and count that as instructions,” Kaufman says. “You should ask for written, clear discharge instructions about what kind of care, limitations, and follow-up the patient should have.”
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