By Elizabeth Jenkins, Prevention.com
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No one looks forward to a hospital stay. It means there's something wrong, you'll be poked and prodded, and you'll be eating meals that make airline food taste gourmet. However, it needn't be pure misery. There is a whole staff whose sole purpose is caring for you and making sure you recover quickly. The nurses in particular are like your guardian angels. "Patients sometimes forget that nurses aren't the enemy," says Natalie Gottlieb, a student nurse at George Mason University. "We're your advocates, and all we want to do is make you better." So the next time a hospital stay is giving you fits, use these 16 inside tips from RNs to make it feel more like the Ritz.
1. Book a top-notch doc.
Nurses know which doctors and surgeons have the best bedside manner and, most important, whose patients come back more often with complications. Network with friends and family to find nurses at your hospital. Then ask them about your doctor's reputation and who they'd want doing this surgery. Never contact nurses at work. They won't be able to speak freely there. At the very least, you'll gather names of trusted docs to tap for second opinions. And that's important. "Every patient should get a second opinion, even for a diagnosis," says Nikki, an RN in Los Angeles for 20+ years. You can't request another doctor once you're admitted, so do your research.
2. Book a top-notch anesthesiologist.
"People often gloss over anesthesia, but it's the most important part of your entire procedure," says Natalie Monat, an RN in Decatur, GA. Ask nurses and doctors for recommendations. Several days before surgery, the anesthesiologist will contact you with questions. Answer honestly and thoughtfully. Lying about weight, alcohol/drug use, and whether you have a history of complications from anesthesia (even for dental procedures) or motion sickness can endanger you.
3. Schedule surgery for 7-10 a.m.
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"As the day progresses, unavoidable delays add up, and afternoon patients can wait for hours," says Monat. "Since you're not allowed to eat on the day of surgery, you'll be waiting and hungry. Plus, docs are always freshest in the morning. A cranky, hungry surgeon who's in a hurry to get to the game he has tickets for that night? No, thanks!"
4. Tour the hospital beforehand.
Tell the receptionist you're having surgery soon and would like to visit the unit where you'll be staying. Two reasons: It'll reduce your fear factor, plus you'll meet some of the nurses, says Jen Fox, an RN for 14 years. Some hospitals offer organized tours of special units along with educational classes and support groups for certain procedures. Ask the front desk about them.
5. Bring a teddy bear...
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...or some equivalent comfort-giver. Options include a "pillow, blanket, toiletries, comfortable clothing--robe, pajamas, slippers--reading material, and music," says Elizabeth, an RN in Louisville, KY. Just make sure it's clean and not too valuable in case it gets lost. "Think about your bedtime routine at home," adds Fox. "Personally, I need my app that plays white noise, ear plugs, and an eye mask, so those would be a must for me."
6. Embrace a student nurse.
If you're assigned a student nurse, don't panic. "You're really getting three nurses for the price of one," explains Gottlieb. Each student nurse is overseen by an RN on the floor and also by an instructor with a master's degree in nursing and extensive hospital experience. And since you'll likely be the student's only patient, "she can take her time making you comfortable, get you snacks from the kitchen or items from the supply room, and provide immediate help when you ring your call light," adds Gottlieb.
7. Designate a patient advocate.
It's a stressful time, and if you need to absorb important info or question what's happening, you may be unable to do so. So authorize a savvy friend or family member to represent you by completing a Designation of Patient Advocate Form when you're admitted. Or hire an advocate beforehand. But be careful. Advocates employed by the hospital are there partly to make sure the hospital doesn't get sued, and those who work for insurance companies are there in part to save their company money, explains Teri Dreher, an RN with 39 years of experience who runs North Shore Patient Advocates in Chicago. Your advocate should be looking out solely for you. Visit advoconnection.com to find private ones in your area.
8. Channel Curious George.
"Ask questions when you're unsure about something," says Charlotte,* an RN in Wailuku, HI. If a nurse walks in with a pill and it looks unfamiliar, ask what it is and why you're taking it. "There are a million patients and a million meds, and sometimes they get mixed up," explains Maria, an RN in Allentown, PA, for 33 years. "You're protecting yourself by being inquisitive." Likewise, if medicine is administered through an IV, make sure it's meant for you. "You can question everything--and everyone--who comes into your room," adds Maria. "If they want to run a test, say, 'Why? What are you looking for, and what is it?' "
9. Do as you're told.
"Patients have a bill of rights," explains Maria. "You have the right to refuse anything: medications, tests, even a bath. That doesn't make you a bad patient." However, some things are non-negotiable. "I had a patient who was NPO, meaning she wasn't allowed to drink or eat," recalls Gottlieb, "but she had someone sneak in snacks for her. She ended up having her surgery postponed." Similarly, don't lie about drinking alcohol or taking drugs, as both can affect your treatment.
Related: 6 Sneaky Signs You Drink Too Much
10. Two visitors at a time, please.
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Any more can interfere with your care and recovery. Also try to avoid having visitors during shift changes. That's when the nurses coming on do their assessments, and questions can get personal, explains Fox.
11. Cluster call bell requests.
"If you push the call light every 5 minutes, the nurses start rolling their eyes," says Dreher. "Remember they're taking care of 5 or 10 patients at once." So if you need medication or more ice chips, or if you have a question for the doctor, don't buzz three separate times. Buzz once.
12. Insist everyone wash their hands.
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It's the single most important thing you can do to make sure you don't catch something else in the hospital. "When someone comes into your room say, 'Did you wash your hands or use sanitizer?'" says Maria. "You're not being rude; the doctor or nurse will likely say, 'I just did, but if you want I can do it again.' "
13. Don't be shy about asking.
Terribly gloomy roomie? Ask to be moved. Patients do it all the time, and nurses are happy to oblige, assuming there's another room available. "We want to keep the peace," says Maria. "We don't want the patient who is being bothered to be unhappy, and we don't want the one who is confused to get even more agitated." Likewise, nurses can arrange such niceties as dinner in your room with a friend, a special treat on your birthday, a walk in the fresh air, or even a visit from a pet. "Some hospitals let pets visit if they're up on their shots and are approved ahead of time," explains Fox.
14. Stay ahead of the pain.
"Not letting your pain get out of control is important," says Elizabeth. If you get your meds every 4 hours, request them at the 3-hour mark to ensure they're delivered on time. And remember that hunger is another form of pain, so stay on top of meal delivery as well. "Hospital cafeterias are like any other restaurant," says Gottlieb. "They're busiest at peak hours." (Hack your gut bacteria for easier-than-ever weight loss with The Good Gut Diet.)
15. Don't duck out early.
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Many try, but what they don't realize is that checking out AMA (against medical advice) makes you responsible for the bill. "Insurance usually won't cover the cost of the hospital stay, and you'll usually leave without any prescriptions," explains Sara, an RN in Portland, OR. Plus, it's obviously extremely dangerous.
16. Say thanks in a meaningful way.
Nurses aren't allowed to accept tips, and most would prefer not to be tempted with gifts of fattening food. "A bouquet for the unit is great," says Maria, "or something that shows you put a bit of thought into it." Dreher says handwritten notes mean the most, and she keeps hers in a shoebox. "Words of affirmation are precious to nurses," she explains. "They work really hard, and most people take them for granted. I pull them out sometimes to remind me my work is meaningful."
*Name changed for anonymity
By Elizabeth Jenkins, Prevention.com
This article '16 Secrets Every Nurse Knows (and You Should, too)' originally ran on Prevention.com.
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