Visits to the hospital can be scary,
stressful and frustrating — even before you take into account the illness that
brought you or a loved one through the doors. But there are ways to make a
midnight trip to the emergency room or a weekslong recovery as fruitful and
pleasant as possible.
Be prepared
You can’t predict when you’ll get the
flu or sprain an ankle, but if you know you have family members with health
issues, having a bag of essentials ready to go can provide some peace of mind. Even
before illness strikes, have them write down a list of their allergies,
medications and dosages.
Once you’re in the hospital, make sure
to wash your hands and use the myriad of hand sanitizer dispensers. “You can’t
overdo it,” said Hannah Hatcher, a cardiac nurse and parishioner of St. Raymond
of Peñafort Church in Springfield.
If you’re sick or worried about getting
sick, “don’t be afraid to wear a mask,” said Anne Wittman, also a St. Raymond
parishioner and a nurse in a post-anesthesia care unit. “They will protect you
and other people.” Be extra cautious when bringing children to the hospital,
and when in doubt, keep them home.
Be an advocate
Being proactive in your care or the care
of your loved one makes a huge difference. What’s rote for a doctor is all new
for you, so “don’t be afraid to say, ‘Wait a minute, stop what you're doing and
explain this to me,’ as we can forget you haven't done this 100 times,” said
Wittman.
She recommends writing down questions so
that you don’t forget when the doctor is in the room. If you have a long stay,
have a notebook to keep track of what happens each day. It’s a good source of
information if family members are taking turns at a loved one’s bedside.
“If you have a large family, have a
point of contact so everyone in the family is getting the same information,”
said Wittman. You may be feeling helpless, but there are things you can do for
your loved one — just ask, she said.
If needed, get your primary care doctor
involved to help coordinate your care. If you still feel concerned or confused,
get a second opinion.
Get comfortable
Even trips to the emergency room can
seem to last forever, so it’s best to get comfortable. Bring a phone charger,
books, puzzles, crafts or a deck of cards. “(One of my patients) brought in
pottery to paint. You can bring in a lot of things you wouldn't think of right
away,” said Wittman. Many hospitals have newspapers and magazines available. Copies
of the Catholic Herald are available in newspaper boxes at to Virginia Hospital
Center in Arlington and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria.
Most units allow patients to bring
blankets and pillows from home for a bit of added comfort, and you can decorate
rooms with family photos or flowers.
Both caregivers and patients need to
eat. If hospital food isn’t to your liking, bring in favorite snacks or meals,
which are usually cheaper. “Your nutrition is an important part of this
process,” said Hatcher.
Stay connected
Let your far-flung family and friends know
how you’re doing via email, social media or online health journals such as
CaringBridge. For locals, check the visiting hours and let loved ones know if
and when you’d like some company.
If you appreciate the care you receive,
let the hospital staff know. Especially if a patient is there for a while, they
can become like family, said Wittman, and a kind note goes a long way. “We keep
those in our break room and it can help keep you going,” said Hatcher. While the
nurses like sweets, something healthy, such as a box of oranges, is also a good
option, said Wittman.
You may not be able to get to your parish,
but you can still stay close to your faith while in the hospital. Many parishes
regularly send Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to nearby hospitals. If
not, call the hospital chaplain.
“I've had the opportunity to receive
Communion with a patient, and it was really cool. It’s nice if I can stay and
pray with them,” said Hatcher. Wittman recommends saying a prayer to your
guardian angel.
Father Stefan P. Starzynski, chaplain at
Inova Fairfax, believes holding onto the faith brings sick, injured and
suffering visitors the most peace during a hospital stay. “The happiest people
I see are those who are visited by family and friends. Those who have faith in
God. Those who see meaning and value in suffering. And those who see God as a
healer and hold onto faith in Heaven.”