Caring for a Hospital Patient

Introduction to Patient Advocacy

  1. Stay with the patient:

    The most important thing a family member or close friend can do for a hospital patient is remain at the bedside in person as close to 24/7 as possible.

  2. Use WellTab:

    If and when there is ever a time when the patient must be left alone for even part of the day or night, due to hospital policy or family availability, try to stay connected and involved using a WellTab tablet. WellTab is the next best thing to being there in person, allowing a loved one to virtually stay at the bedside at all times. Call 917-999-0102.

    Even when a family member is present at the bedside in person, the continuous exposure to the familiar home environment can be a valuable source of encouragement and even a game changer for the patient.

  3. Write it down:

    Use a notebook to keep a daily journal. Keep track of as much as possible, even if you can usually keep track of everything in your head. Include names & contact info, especially the attending doctor, shift schedules, questions, concerns, answers, daily goals, planned procedures & tests, medications, bathroom use, etc.

  4. Care for the patient:

    Help keep the patient hydrated, fed and as comfortable as possible.

  5. Speak Up:

    Be as respectful and helpful as you can, but be willing to politely speak up when necessary.

Introduction to Patient Safety – Provide an extra level of precaution against:

  1. Infection:

    Start by encouraging hand washing and hygienic diligence.

  2. Medicine errors:

    Always check… Is it the correct medication, in the correct dose, at the correct time, and via the correct route?

  3. Pneumonia:

    Breathe deeply, brush teeth, be as physically active as medically permissible and keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees as much as possible.

  4. Blood clots:

    Ask about patient’s risk level and appropriate precautions.

  5. Deconditioning:

    Ask about the patient safely staying as physically active as medically permissible. Encourage the patient to “Sit up, get dressed, and keep moving.” You may need to proactively ask the staff to help.

  6. Oversedation:

    While pain must be treated to provide relief and increase the likelihood of positive outcomes, sedatives work by depressing the central nervous system, so overuse of the drugs can slow body functions to such a degree that they can cause unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. This may not even be completely accidental in situations when the medical staff have given up hope on the life of the patient, based on their beliefs about the patient’s subsequent quality of life.

  7. Complications of medication substitution:

    Hospital pharmacists engage in “automatic therapeutic substitution” by replacing originally-prescribed drugs with alternatives that have an assumed equivalent therapeutic effect. If not done carefully, this has the potential to introduce new complications unrelated to the cause of the hospitalization, especially when medications and dosages were carefully adjusted to achieve the desired results.

    • Thyroid hormone replacement therapy

      is of particular concern because the absorption rate of name brand Synthroid can differ from generic levothyroxine and can even differ from one generic levothyroxine manufacturer to another. (Source: American Thyroid Association and the Endocrine Society) Hospital staff members are also often unaware of the need to give thyroid hormone replacement therapy on an empty stomach, separate from other medications and supplements that can interfere with absorption.

Try Hard to Maintain a Good Relationship with the Hospital Staff

  1. Regardless of your economic, social or other status in life, when you enter a large system such as a hospital, you are not considered any more unique, special or deserving than anyone else. The hospital staff will consider you just like any other patient / family unless you distinguish yourself through exemplary behavior.
  2. Exemplary behavior will also help you help the patient and make a kidush Hashem. Here are some practical tips:
    • Speak politely at all times.

      Even when asking for something that was supposed to happen already and is late, ask as if you are asking for the biggest favor.

    • Go overboard with expressing appreciation, repeatedly.
    • Send/bring gifts to the staff.

      A simple inexpensive practical gift is a container of Dunkin Munchkins.

    • Value their time:

      “I realize you are so busy. Is there anything I can do to help?”

    • Blame yourself:

      “I am so crazy about avoiding infection. Would you mind getting a new one of those instead of the one that fell on the floor?”

    • Prioritize your requests:

      For the overall benefit of the patient and staff, decide if the current issue is important enough to request assistance.