Of all stays one can do in a lifetime, hospital stays must be my least favorite of them all. Whether it is me who’s in for a stay or someone I’m doing the packing for, there’s something that’s really unsettling when preparing for a hospital stay. However, hospital stays are something one cannot – and absolutely CANNOT – just ignore since it requires some level of efficiency and a knack for knowing what should be brought and what should be left behind at home.

You should always remember that even if your chosen hospital is adequately equipped to make your stay as comfortable as possible, you, as the patient, still have the responsibility to bring everything that you need – things the hospital wouldn’t know and doesn’t have access to – as well as the things that will somehow help the professionals handle your stay easier. In other words, it is a two-way street; they help you, you help them.

First and foremost, bear in mind that even if nurses and aides are always hurrying to somewhere that they almost feel like a blur, they too are humans. And they have feelings too. Go the extra mile and treat them with kindness everytime your paths cross. Never demand, just request if you need something and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you” when the situation calls for it. These people are on the frontlines, they will be the ones to help you better understand medical/hospital things better.

Have a list of numbers on your bedside. This should include your doctor’s contact number, office and personal, if you have it. Next is your “guardian” or whoever the hospital should be contacting in case they need to discuss something about your stay and last but not the least, the phone number to the nurse’s station, just in case you’re in an emergency and in need of quick assistance.

Make sure that everything in your room is working. Try the phone, the TV, the call button, the air conditioning unit, etc. This is because your room will become your temporary home and it is important that you feel comfortable living in it, albeit temporarily. Test the ambiance too. Is there too much traffic outside your door? Are you getting enough sunlight? Is it too cold in the room? If something bothers you, kindly ask for a change of room.

If you are to bring valuables with you, remember that hospitals are not responsible for such and these things shouldn’t be left just lying around without anyone overseeing them. Better leave them at home if they are not important to your hospital stay.

Try to keep a checklist of the medications you are taking during your stay. This list will help doctors pinpoint a problem should it arise. Lastly, don’t forget to place a bottle of water and some hand sanitizer on your bedside table to help keep you hydrated and germ-free when it becomes too hard for you to get up and get them.