What You Need To Know Prior to Going to the Hospital

INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, interviewed Dr. David Wilcox.

Health Transparency: The Real Truth with Dr. David Wilcox  

No one enjoys going to a hospital for care. You lose your independence, you are on a different schedule and you usually have to wear a gown that exposes your entire backside. However, being prepared for your hospital experience is a must. There are many things that can remain in your control and have the potential to keep you safe if you do your research!

The first thing you can do in a nonemergent hospital visit is research the hospital to see what the facilities quality ratings are. You can do that at CMS.gov but a better tool is located at For Patients | Turquoise Health Turquoise Health’s website will allow you to see the hospitals quality rating and even provided you the estimated costs for your healthcare procedure. Once you have picked a quality healthcare facility here are some other things you can do to prepare. Also remember to research your surgeon, physician, and anesthesiologist. At the bottom of this article I am offering a free healthcare resource guide with one click access to the tools you need to do your research just for signing up at https://drdavidhelps.com/ I will also provide periodic updates such as this article to you after you have signed up.

Always carry a current list of the medications you are on at home. If an error or harm occurs in a hospital it is usually centered around medications. Print off multiple lists and hand one to each of your providers, nurses etc. Do not assume they are discussing your medications. You also have the option to bag up your home medications and ask that the hospital use them as opposed to medications from their formulary. Not a lot of people know this but it could save you a few dollars, and you will be much more familiar with the medications you are taking. Also when taking medications in the hospital always ask questions if the medication seems unfamiliar. Never take a medication because your nurse is rushed, understand what the medication is for and if you don’t, ask questions until you do.

In many hospitals it will not be your primary physician or provider looking after your care. Instead it may be a hospitalist or in a teaching hospital it could be an intern or resident. You will need to communicate your health care history clearly including all allergies and past procedures. Treat this new provider as someone off the street who knows nothing about your health care history, because this is the case.

If your going to have surgery have someone with you who can advocate on your behalf while you recover from anesthesia. This is very important and I have seen several near misses caught because of the patients advocate.

One of the best ways to ensure you have quality care is to have a local nurse in your network. As nurses we have the advantage of seeing the providers that produce quality outcomes and those providers who may not give the best quality care. In my book How to Avoid Being a Victim of the American Healthcare System, I share a story about a member of my community. I was in a grocery store when I overheard a woman talking about a certain surgeon and the procedure they were performing on her the following week. I knew this surgeons patients struggled to recover more so than the other surgeons. The opportunity presented itself for me to discuss this with this woman. I told her that I couldn’t tell her who I was but that I worked at the hospital and she needed to find a different surgeon. She thanked me and did find a different surgeon. However, that discussion wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to have if I was prepping her for surgery at the hospital. Having a nurse in your network is a must especially with the staff shortages the healthcare system is experiencing.

Lastly, the food that you will receive at the hospital is not designed for healing. Hospital systems frequently outsource their food delivery service to a vendor who is there to make a profit. They usually use the cheapest ingredients which means the food is pretty unhealthy. Since what you take into your body plays a major factor in your overall health, this can be concerning. If it’s possible, have a friend or loved one bring you nutritious meals which will aid in your healing.

While going to the hospital can be like walking into a different world, you can use the tips in this article to be better prepared. We are all going to need healthcare at some time in our lives, so being proactively educated will make you a better partner in your health care. For more information you can use the links below.

To keep up with healthcare updates sign up for my newsletter and get a free resource guide. The resource guide is a one click reference to price procedures in your area, find out how your hospital rates for patient experience and quality outcomes, lower high prescription drug prices as well as rate your physician. You can access it here: https://drdavidhelps.com/

You can purchase Dr. David Wilcox’s book How to Avoid Being a Victim of the American Healthcare System: A Patient’s Handbook for Survival on Amazon at the following link https://lnkd.in/diZKYC2

Follow me on social media at:

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LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE