Hospital inpatient etiquette and advice please!

Scrapaholic

Good ideas . Hope you'll soon be well again OP. Hospital mattresses and pillows are usually covered with plastic so they can be washed . Sleeping on them can be hot and the pillow could make your scalp and hair greasy . Dry shampoo for the days you might just want to feel a bit fresher and can't get a hair wash .

pollypenny

I forgot to recommend dry shampoo.

I don't understand all the need for lots of magazines etc. I felt so rotten after my op that all I did was doze. However, Super Saturday at the Olympics did keep us entertained, in spite of the fuzzy picture.

Dizzy_Ditzy

I'd have been completely lost if I'd not had my own pillow and slippers.

Hairbrush, hair band and a little mirror

Hard bottom slippers are best if you want to go outside for some proper air

When I was in, I was on a shared ward with 3 other ladies who were all menopausing and had constant hot flushes and wanted the windows open all the time so a warm top is advisable

DUKE

At my hospital they always tell you not to take in any valuables, just some change for the phone/snacks. As well as regular meals they do offer cakes & biscuits with morning & afternoon tea. A trolley comes round twice a day selling snacks & magazines. Also there's a small shop & a cafe for those who are able to get about.

I usually take my nightshirt (which I change into the next morning after my shower), dressing gown, slippers, a small towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, lip gloss, moisturiser, tissues, hair brush with small mirror, book to read. Most of the toiletries are freebie samples from off here. I don't take shower gel as they usually give me some sort of hospital scrub to use beforehand, I use this after the op too.

The only valuables I take are an emergency £1 for my bag of cheese & onion crisps that I always enjoy the morning after my op, & my mobile phone. They do have lockers on the ward at my hospital, they usually lock my mobile & medz in there before they take me down to theatre. The bed side tables are also lockable & you can put your clothes ... in there.

They charge £10 for a card for the TV & phone at my hospital. Although it was free last time I was there due to an outbreak of something or other & there was no visitors allowed, hence this glorious freebie They also have a free hospital radio station.

We no longer have jugs at our hospital, we have bottled water & as much as we like!

Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

burnoutbabe

I'd take some big knickers and some sanitary towels - the ones provided by the hospital will be the old fashioned thick as anything type, rather than more modern thin ones.

fabforty

Check out your hospital's website - it should tell you what facilities are available, and often tells you what you need to bring as well. Take your phone and charger - calls from hospital phones on the wards are generally very expensive.

Indie_Kid

pollypenny wrote: »

I don't understand all the need for lots of magazines etc. I felt so rotten after my op that all I did was doze.

Same with me. Although, it didn't help being constantly prodded the previous night.:(

I did bring some flavoured water in with me.

Georgiegirl256

pollypenny wrote: »

I don't understand all the need for lots of magazines etc. I felt so rotten after my op that all I did was doze.

In my Mam's case, she was obviously fuzzy the first day after her op, but after that she didn't really sleep at all through the day so needed something to keep her entertained. She didn't have an ipad and wasn't interested in watching the TV, but she loves mags like Chat etc with the stories and prize puzzles in. So I got her them and a big puzzle book.

Different folks like different stuff I guess?!

Indie_Kid

It also depends how long you're in there for. I was in there for two nights and had my operation the following morning after going in. Dad had his operation the day he went in and was kept in for about 5 days.

j.e.j.

If you're going to use a nightie it might be worth considering a button-up one. If the doctors on the ward round need to listen to your breathing, for example, that could be a bit awkward having to pull up a night-dress so they can get to your chest/back!