Here are some tips that we have learned, which help to make the patient more comfortable and safe when in the hospital.
First Action
Before the patient goes into the room, everything should be sterilized with Clorox wipes. I was doing this once and the nurse came in and said, “That is a really good idea because the previous patient had RSV” (a highly contagious lung infection). Pay close attention to anything that is frequently touched, especially the remote for the TV and handrails on the bed.
Beds
All hospital beds are made of plastic so that they can be sterilized. This plastic is very sweaty to sleep on. If you ask for two sheets and place both of these on the mattress this will stop the sweating. This procedure is also done to the pillows. I also use this tip for those plastic recliners that your partner or the parents have to sleep in.
Beach Ball
A dear friend of mine had cancer and was bedridden for months. She thought I was crazy when I showed up at her house with a beach ball and threw it at her. She acted angry and punched it back to me. Before you know it, she was laughing and light hearted. One of these inflatable balls is very cheap to buy, and the effect upon the patient can be priceless. My friend felt defeated and hopeless before we played with that ball.
Bed Sores
Bedsores, or pressure sores, are a consequence of being in bed for prolonged periods of time. They are due to lack of blood flow and pressure on the body. With cancer patients these can happen faster because chemo tends to thin the skin. The main thing that you can do to prevent these is to move your body/change physical position every couple of hours. For more detailed information go to the Bedsores page on this website.
Books
Everything at a hospital store costs more. This is why I keep paperbacks in our hospital suitcase that is by our door.
Comedy
Apparently laughter IS the best medicine and science is now finding this to be true. Here are some links regarding the power of laughter.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-nature/emotions/other/laughter.htm
http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm
Deck of Cards
It is my belief that diversions help the patient greatly. Especially if the hospital stay is prolonged. A deck of cards provides many hours of entertainment.
Digestion
It is very important to keep the bowels moving. Many medications slow down the digestive processes, particularly painkillers of any kind. If the bowels are not moving the body re-absorbs the poisons it is trying to get rid of. Get permission from your doctor to use a fiber supplement. There are many of these products on the market. We use Fiber-Sure because it melts in water, has no taste, and no other added supplements in the ingredients.
Drinks
I am very opposed to soda pop in general, especially when someone is ill. These are very acidic and can cause more stress to the body. If the patient has a favorite drink that is not harmful to them, bring it to the hospital. We bring good water and Emergen-C packets. Always double-check with the doctor before using the Emergen-C www.emergenc.com in case it might conflict with any medications the hospital has administered. I also bring Green Tea bags in my suitcase, along with Truvia www.Truvia.com (a natural no calorie sweetener.) If you do not like the after taste of Truvia, another alternative is Xylitol. All of these fit into our suitcase very easily. The idea is to have some creature comforts for the patient, whatever they may be.
Drugs
If the doctor tells you he is going to start a new drug, request a print-out of the information. This way you can study the side effects and ask questions about the medication. Be aware that the side effects listed are not always communicated accurately. If you can, check several websites and read blogs for patient information.
One drug that Kayla received stated that it could cause the “shakes” when in fact the side effect is called “rigors.” These are very painful and look like charley horses all over the body. The only answer for this problem is a shot of Demerol. Demerol is one of the most addictive drugs on the market.
The lesson learned from this is to question the doctor thoroughly and check to find out what the antidote is, if there is an adverse drug reaction.
Keep track of all drugs, dosages and administration. The staff work long hours, have big caseloads and are human. Therefore, mistakes can happen. Writing down the drugs, dose and times given, will help you to provide additional protection.
Excursions
“Cabin Fever” can occur when a person gets stressed from being confined. Ask the doctor if the patient can go for a walk outside. If the patient is too weak to walk, the hospital can provide a wheelchair.
Florence Nightingale whose observations and handlings of the wounded during European wars in the mid-1800’s, was instrumental in establishing female nursing colleges. She was a proponent of cleanliness, fresh air and sunshine as aids in healing. With these tools alone, she decreased the mortality rates of the soldiers from a very high percentage to about 2 percent. So, even if it is just for a few minutes, a change of scenery, fresh air and some sunshine could be very beneficial to anyone who is ill. Always get permission from your doctor first.
Flowers and Plants
Check with your physician before allowing gifts of flowers or plants. All immune compromised patients under prolonged care, cannot fight common things that are in soil and possibly on plants. Some of the fungus that these can carry cannot be seen by the naked eye. We never allow these gifts and if someone accidentally brings them to our home we place them outside.
Food
Personally, I do not like hospital food and Kayla hates it. I keep hamburgers that I make at home stored in the freezer. If we are going to the hospital I put the burgers in a lunch box with a freezer pack and take them with us. My husband will come to the hospital loaded with food when we have had extended stays. Hard boiled eggs, chicken salad, pasta salad, etc., will keep when refrigerated. Upon arrival, once admitted, my first trip is to a local grocery store to purchase additional food that can be stored in the refrigerator at the hospital. Easy items are purchased like, vegetables, fruits, organic sandwich meats, and grains. Oatmeal is one of our staples for the hospital.
Magazines
Sometimes when a patient is very ill a book takes too much concentration. Magazines are a good alternative.
Medical Staff
It is in your best interest to get to know the staff that is caring for you or your loved one. You are part of a team working towards an improved health situation. Always treat the staff with respect and courtesy. I have noticed that when I am proactive in Kayla’s care, the medical staff’s appreciate this. They respect a caregiver or patient that asks questions and requests written information, in the team effort towards improvement.
Pens & Note Book
You should keep a dairy of medications and notes as you go along. If the patient is under a heavy medication schedule this becomes very important. My notebook proved very useful for also noting down complex medical terms and looking them up later. I also keep it with me in case I run into someone who has great tips or recommendations.
Pillows
Kayla and I always bring our favorite pillows to the hospital. This makes a huge difference for us.
PJ’s
Personally, I find that hospital gowns are a bit degraded. We always have comfortable clothes for Kayla to wear while in the hospital. Cotton T-shirts and similar shorts or pants. Clothes should be loose and comfortable.
Sugar
Contrary to modern belief sugar is bad for you, especially if your body is in a weakened condition.
Your digestive tract is composed of good and bad bacteria. Sugar feeds mould and fungus and results in propagating colonies of bad bacteria. Antibiotics wipe out both the good and bad bacteria. Pasta and other processed foods turn into pure sugar when digested.
Try to eat healthy food and avoid sugary foods. Take a probiotic (a supplement that feeds the good bacteria in your digestive tract.) Activia www.activia.com is a good yogurt that aids replacing lost bacteria we all need.
Surgery
My surgeon told me that the first 48 hours after surgery are very crucial. He really emphasized how important it is to walk and get the body moving as soon as possible. This helps to prevent the formation of scar tissue and also helps to wake up the digestion after sedation. Obviously, there are also surgical procedures that would prevent movement of the patient. If the patient is not mobile gentle stretches are a means of movement without getting out of bed. Before a surgery, question your physician about these things so that you are prepared ahead of time.
Sleep
It is a known fact that it can be difficult to get sleep in a hospital. One of the things you can do is request that no vitals are taken in the middle of the night. Of course this requires judgment on your part. If the illness is not serious and there is no fever you can request no interruptions of your sleep. Talk to your doctor about this and see what they say. We have done this when I felt it was safe to do so.
Natural sleep aids such as Melatonin, Chamomile tea, Magnesium and others are available at many stores. My hospital suitcase has a small bottle of Melatonin in it at all times. Check with your doctor to ensure that a natural sleep aid will not conflict with any medications.
Conclusion
Please research for yourself all of this information contained herein. Get educated, as this will empower you. Although I give lots of advice, everyone is different and reacts differently to all of these things. Do your homework and ask your doctor lots of questions. Print out these pages and go over each point with your medical team. At least here, you have a starting point.
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor nor medically trained in any way. The information contained herein, is for educational purposes only. It is understood that you shall consult your medical doctor before undertaking any actions that could conflict with your specific medical protocol.