Excerpted from the same Consumer reports article:
1. Monitor your medications. The Institute of Medicine estimates that, on average, there is one medication error per every admitted patient. Ask what the medicine is and why you are being given it.
2. Guard against infection. There is little you can do to protect against contamination during surgery where most infections start. Poor hand washing protocol and improper instrument sterilization are the main causes of surgical infections. But you can be diligent before or after the fact: insist on clean hands, including those of visitors; encourage the removal of catheters, ventilators and other tubes as soon as possible; ask if you should have a single antibiotic dose immediately prior to surgery; ask if shaving your surgical site is really necessary, cuts or nicks can provide an opening for bacteria; and question why you are prescribed a drug for heartburn, if you are. Many of the commonly prescribed ones can increase the chance of intestinal infections and pneumonia.
3. Reject unnecessary tests. Know why a certain test is being scheduled.
4. Expect enough, but not too much, pain relief. Ask your doctor to write a standing order for pain medication. Also something for sleep and for constipation. Discuss anesthesia with the surgeon or anesthesiologist before your operation. Report if you have a high tolerance for pain or a low tolerance. Your analysis can mean you are more likely to get your pain meds timely or keep you from being over medicated and feeling groggy.
Speak up if you are in pain. And don't be afraid of narcotic painkillers. Short term use in a hospital setting poses little risk, if any, of addiction.
Ask if a nerve block is indicated. This is particularly useful with joint replacement surgery.
5. Get up out of bed as soon as advisable but be sure you have help. If you have to a stay in bed ask for special pads to prevent bedsores and pneumatic stockings to prevent blood clots.
6. Stay warm. Ask if you will be covered with a special surgical blanket to keep your temperature from dropping during the operation.
7. Your surgeon should initial the body part on which he will be working. Everyone prepping you for surgery should call you by name and confirm you are who they think you are. Be prepared to state your date of birth over and over. It's a good thing.
8. Stay alert...if you are awake. Trust your instincts and question something that seems not quite right.
Finally, when it is time to go home, discuss exit plans in advance of leaving. Talk about arrangements the day before you expect to be discharged. ~ Be part of the decision that you are ready to leave the hospital. If it seems that your doctor cannot extend your hospital visit and you feel you are not able to be discharged, appeal to the discharge planner or hospital patient advocate. ~ Get a discharge summary. This is a clearly written statement of what you should do when you get home, such as, how to care for surgical wounds, how active you may be, when you can shower, drive a car, return to work, and resume a normal diet. ~ Have a written list of medicines you will be expected to take at home. Know their purpose and side effects. Ask about possible after effects of anesthesia. ~ Be sure lab tests done in the short time before you leave the hospital will be copied to your doctor. Ask for copies for yourself. ~ Know when you are to follow up with your doctor and if an appointment has been scheduled or if you need to arrange it.
Archive timeline: 2014: May and June - preparing for surgery, July - surgery and post op problems, August - recovery and physical therapy, September....
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