10 secrets hospitals don’t want you to know
There are few places in the world as unenjoyable to visit as a hospital. Part of what makes these visits so unpleasant is the sense of stepping into a situation that’s virtually unknown, with only a limited amount of control over your circumstances.
But, as with many secrets, sometimes all you have to do is ask.
Reader’s Digest has put together a list of 10 secrets hospitals don’t tell you. These hidden truths, straight from the mouth of medical professionals can save you stress, money and provide you a degree of peace of mind when you’re next visiting.
1. Choosing a hospital on reputation is not always right
Sometimes it’s best to base your decision on geography. Dr Stephen Parnis, senior emergency physician, says, “Many illnesses are time critical. Also, a visit to hospital might be just the first of many; you might have to return several times for follow ups.”
2. Don’t interrupt your nurse
Even though we crave a good bedside manner, interruptions can cause mistakes. The Archive of Internal Medicine states, “Every time a nurse is interrupted, there’s a 12.7 per cent increase in clinical (dosage) errors and a 12.1 per cent increase in procedural failures, such as failing to check a patient’s ID with their medication chart.”
3. Hospitals are a breeding ground for superbugs
There’s only so much the sanitary stations in the hospital hallways can do. Karen Curtiss, author of Safe & Sound in the Hospital says, “Even if your doctor washed his hands, that sparkling white coat brushing against your bed can easily transfer a dangerous germ from someone else’s room. Ask for bleach and alcohol wipes to clean bed rails, controls, doorknobs, phones, call buttons and toilet flush levers. Wash your hands before you eat.”
4. Double check your hospital bill against your clinical file
You might actually be paying too much, so it pays to be vigilant before you leave. Kate Ryder, nurse and author of An Insider’s Guide to Getting the Best Out of the Health System, says, “If there are tests and scans on your bill that do not have a corresponding entry on your clinical file (check the dates as well as items), you can contest them.”
5. Staff questions are repetitive, but necessary
Sometimes it can feel as though you’re answering the same questions again and again, but as Dr Parnis notes, “It’s a safety check and it’s really important. If you have a severe allergy to medication, for example, you need to remind staff every step of the way.”
6. Under-resourcing is a huge problem, and getting worse
If you’ve ever seen a nurse frantically rush between patients you’ll agree. Difficult decisions have to be made as nurses work flat-out, helping doctors, organising medications and filing paperwork. On average they only spend three hours of their shift with patients.
7. Medical professionals don’t like electronic records either
While it’s a useful tool to ensure accuracy, medical professionals find electronic system annoying as well. Karen Higgins, a nurse, says, “We don’t like that we have to click off boxes instead of focusing on the patient. The choices they give us to click on don’t give the doctors a real understanding of what we’re doing. A lot of things get missed.”
8. It is better to schedule surgery for the start of the week
There’s actually some legs to this old wives’ tale. Dr Roy Benaroch, says, “On weekends and holidays, hospitals typically have lighter staffing and less experienced doctors and nurses, so if you’re due major elective surgery try and schedule it for early in the week.”
9. Don’t assume your food given is what you should be eating
Patients are generally provided with a stock standard menu, but it might not be right for your condition. Professor Ian Caterson, Boden Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Sydney, says, “Patient nutrition is often an afterthought, with doctors needing greater recognition of the nutrition needs of their patients. For elderly patients, particularly, malnourishment could be exacerbated during their hospital stay.”
10. The sooner you’re out of hospital, the better
At a certain point it’s better for you to be at home. Dr Parnis says, “The sooner you can get out of hospital, the better… You’re more likely to recover more quickly in your own home – but we will not discharge you until we think it’s safe.”
What do you think is the most important thing to do when you’re preparing for a hospital stay? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Related links:
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