Hospital inpatient etiquette and advice please!

Mrs_Ryan

I was in hospital for a week after my gynae op and I got dressed on the third day. I took loose yoga pants, joggers and tops- I did wear a bra but I had those 'genie' type bras which while they kept me modest, were soft and comfy to put on and wear. I took my own water- the hospital water was disgusting- and Mum brought me snacks/mags etc. We were told to bring nighties but I ignored this- I don't like them so I took PJ's however regretted this when I leaked all over my new pale pink ones :eek: as for electrical items, at one point I had my laptop, BlackBerry and my mum's iPad which were all quite safe and sound- the nurses not only didn't mind me charging them but would often plug them in for me behind my bed.
I had Ugg boots rather than slippers- hospital floors can be unpredictable so take something with a good sole that you can just step into.
I wore something clean most days- I had to stay in a few days longer than expected so had to reuse a few things but I mainly wore clean stuff. I couldn't wait to get out the horrid gown!
Wipes are a must definitely- I was hot all the time. And take your own towel- the ward I was on didnt routinely keep them.

Georgiegirl256

Some excellent advice already given, so not much to add in terms of what clothing to take in, but some items my Mam found invaluable when she was in for about the same amount of time were:

One of those squishy neck pillows (she said she wouldn't have been without it), it really helped her get comfortable.

Moisturiser and lip balm as the air is very drying on hospital wards.

Magazines, lots of them! Especially the ones with puzzles in, kept her entertained.

I'm not sure if the cabinets are lockable, but I would definetly take in an ipad to keep you occupied.

I also think the idea of Ugg boots mentioned above is a good one too for if you're having a walk about.

Aunty-Pickle

some great advice thank you so much!

[Deleted User]

oystercatcher wrote: »

Nursing staff will want you to change clothes daily as part of infection control.

I was in for six days last August and went by ambulance with only the clothes I was stood up in. They only brought me a hospital shirt after 5 days when my T shirt was so ripe that I asked for a pyjama top to wear.

Take as few valuables as possible as other patients and visitors are just the general public many of whom cannot be trusted.

I was in with a dangerous patient who was supposed to have been under one to one supervision 24/7, but he wasn't. He was meddling with a couple of dementia patients and stealing their belongings, and after he realised that it was me shopping him to the nurses he started threatening me. Afterwards I found out that he'd also been threatening other patients.

Counting_Pennies_2

I get very hot in hospitals so I personally would go for a complete change of everything every day.


I also would shop for a very comfortable bra, just to hold everything loosely in place so when receiving visitors and generally speaking to those around me I felt presentable.


I would take in a bag of snacks. Some dried fruit and nuts maybe, or a few snack bags.


I wouldn't take in any thing valuable, not even your mobile phone unless you have someone to leave it with when going to the loo, shower, op etc. Instead I would get a cheap pay as you go from Tesco and load on your important numbers and take that with you.


There is a tv in most hospital wards now specific to your bed. So I would take in some head phones so you can watch something to keep you occupied late in the night if you struggle to sleep.


Then a bag full of magazines, book, and puzzle books to occupy you when you feel the need.


Good luck with it all.

tyllwyd

Some of this depends on what hospital you are going to - my OH was in hospital and was able to use the Hospedia tv service and his mobile, but my mum has been in different hospitals with only one tv in the ward and no mobile reception. If there is a patient tv service, I'd ask about it beforehand unless you have someone who can sort it out for you, because you might not feel well enough or be mobile enough to find an easy way to pay. Also, hospital bedside lockers are quite small - you probably want some kind of holdall for your spare clothes, something that won't get in the way too much.

thorsoak

Bedside TV/telephone is not free in all hospitals - in Colchester for instances, it works out at about £3 per day.

[Deleted User]

In Broomfield, you can listen to the radio for free, but you pay for the internet and TV. There's no need for cash though, just plug your card into the slot.

aylesby

I had a week in hospital and wished I had brought slippers.

theoretica

If you want to take an ipad you could keep it with you most of the time - not too hard to take a handbag to the loo. If showers are wet rooms could you take it with you in a zip lock sandwich bag to keep splashes off it - there must be somewhere fairly dry for a towel to be kept while you shower.