More CR Advice....PO Day 83

Excerpted from the same Consumer Reports "Survival Guide:"

Before you are admitted:

Check out the hospital's ratings. Ask about infection rates. Try to find a survey of patients and what they thought. Even if you cannot choose to go elsewhere, you will know what problems to watch out for. Go to Medicare.gov/hospitalcompare and enter your zip code to see how your hospital compares to the national averages.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor where you can discuss his plans. Be sure he knows what drugs you take, including over the counter supplements. Make a list for him and for the hospital. What pre-admission tests will be required? What procedures will be done as you are admitted? Do you need to make any pre- op changes in your diet? How long will you be in the hospital? Make notes and have a "check off" list.

Time your surgery well. Mondays can be hectic when weekend emergency room patients have to be worked into the schedule. If your surgery is on a Friday you may find fewer staff around over the weekend. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday is best.

Discuss your heart attack risk with the surgeon. Will you have a pre-op EKG?

Designate a hospital helper, a friend or relative who can be your advocate if you are too ill or distracted to speak up. Be sure it is someone who can check on you daily and be with you at check in and check out.

Prepare a living will and choose a health care proxy. Be sure the health care proxy has a copy of your living will. This is something  we all should have done well in advance of any surgery. But if you didn't, now is the time!

Bank your blood if your procedure could require a transfusion. This has to be done well in advance of  surgery so plan ahead.

Quit smoking! You won't be allowed to smoke in the hospital nor on the grounds. Better to start the withdrawal process before you are operated.

Consider being screened for MRSA. (My hospital did this as a routine pre-op test.)

There is more good advice from Consumer Reports to follow. Next: When You Check In...





Archive timeline: 2014: May and June - preparing for surgery, July - surgery and post op problems, August - recovery and physical therapy, September....