Be Hospital Healthy

Protect yourself to ensure a speedy recovery and avoid infections and re-admission.

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 Whether you go in for surgery, testing, or an outpatient procedure, your hospital stay can pose further health risks if you are not careful.

“Your potential risks depend in part on why you have to go into the hospital and the facility itself, but there are steps you can take to minimize your risk, especially when it comes to developing hospital acquired infections that can lead to a longer hospital stay or re-admission,” says Dr Erica Shenoy, an infectious diseases specialist and associate chief of infection control at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Here are some steps to take to ensure a safe hospital visit before, during, and after your stay.

BEFORE

Ask questions

It can be nerve-racking to ask questions, no matter how small they feel, but you need to muster up the courage and make the most of your interactions with medical staff and during consultation, says Dr Shenoy. “Just like you, they want you to have a quick and uncomplicated recovery and are open to your inquiries but you have to ask.”

What should you ask? Here are some questions that can help you manage your expectations and plan ahead for recovery:

• How long will I be in the hospital?

• What is the expected recovery time?

• Am I likely to need rehab or at-home support? Do I have a choice between the two?