Hospital inpatient etiquette and advice please!

gettingtheresometime

Actually OP since I last posted I've wondered where the chaplaincy got the funds to buy my Aunt the stuff she was given and its prompted me to ask.

As I said it was basic value stuff she was given but it made all the difference to her so if I can help out so that another patient can benefit then all the better so thanks for posting and hope every thing goes ok with your stay

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GoldenShadow

You should be able to call the ward direct or get through via switchboard if you want to ask specifically about lockable cabinets etc. I work for the NHS, my hospital does have snack trolleys that go round each ward twice a day and we take it as our responsibility to replace anything that goes missing. So for example a patient's glasses disappeared and after we still could not find them we replaced them. We do have lockable cabinets on most wards though so perhaps that is why we offer to replace things, very hard for them to go AWOL. Wards often require buzzer entry so iPads etc are a bit safer than you might think.

ailuro2

Take an eye mask, as they are likely to leave lights on all night so the nurses can move around safely on nightshift when carrying out their checks.

Take earplugs too, because it can be really noisy ( other people snoring, dealing with incidents in the middle of the night etc)

Disposable cups and a little "squashd" to make the water more drinkable.

Tesco toddler wipes are 79p and will make you feel fresh.

Read up on hygiene and don't be afraid to ask someone attending to you to clean their hands.

inkie

Gettingtheresometime in relation to the toiletries etc, it is likely that they would have been donated, maybe by a church project supporting this type of thing

time2deal

I like to bring my own pillow, the hospital ones are always very flat. Not sure how that works with hygiene though. No-ones complained yet, but I'm always expecting them too! And bring a nice towel.

I change every day into something clean. Maybe just top as it makes me feel better and fresher. I have lots of plain cotton nighties for this purpose (too many operations in my life) as they are easy for dh to wash and dry if needed.

I also bring my cross stitch, and do that watching TV or movies on the laptop. Passes many long hours.

fozziebeartoo

A little air freshener.....

I was surrounded by people using bedpans with just a curtain between us.

I WAS discreet about using it but when it was noticed, all the other patients wanted them too!

growler834

Burnoutbabe mentioned big knickers - don't get them too big! I got some as I knew that my knickers wouldn't fit over my large wound & dressing. I didn't realise that, after 4 days of not eating & being bedbound, my first foray to the bathroom meant I had lost so much weight my big pants ended up down around my knees! It cheered the other patients up anyway!
The tea & coffee on the wards here are disgusting so I always take my own teabags (herbal) and just ask for a mug of boiling water. Also ask if there is a kitchen with a fridge - brilliant if someone brings you some fresh food that you can't eat in one go - the nurses will mark it & place it in the fridge for you.

beluga

When I was last in hospital, I had a canula, frequent blood tests and had my blood pressure taken regularly, so short sleeved pjs were a must!

Errata

beluga wrote: »

When I was last in hospital, I had a canula, frequent blood tests and had my blood pressure taken regularly, so short sleeved pjs were a must!

And the sleeve should be very loose, as should the sleeves on any dressing gown taken in.

margaretclare

Tell your personal nurse that you'd like a chaplain's visit. They will come and bring you Communion if you'd like.

At our local hospital they have an appeal for 'Smellies for the Sick' - this is for those who are admitted as emergency without their own toiletries. People go on holiday and bring back the small soaps, shower gel, shampoo etc from hotels. People who stay away on business, on holidays, just hand them in at reception and they're really grateful. I've given in bagfuls of small toiletries all nicked from various hotels we've stayed in.

If you're used to wearing a bra and you're more comfortable, then wear one. You may get very sweaty and uncomfortable, and long nighties can be a nuisance - loose cotton nightshirts I found to be most comfortable.

The WRVS in most hospitals have a trolley going round the wards if you must have your biscuits and sweets. Boredom is the worst, but you're constantly being interrupted, so take something to do which is fairly light and easy to put down and pick up again.