Leaving The Hospital
I spent the end of last week in the hospital with a loved one, and it was a somber reminder of how tough the US healthcare system has become to navigate.
Here are some things that happened in a major university hospital, one of the “best in the world.”
My loved one was...
Left alone in the post-op recovery room without a call button after a surgery that left them temporarily unable to speak
Given conflicting discharge/wound care instructions
Advised to use an incentive spirometer but never given one
Discharged with a wound drain and no instructions on dressing or completing daily functions with a drain in place
THIS IS NOT HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE.
I last worked in a hospital in early 2017. In only 7 years, the quality of care has diminished, and all signs point to it getting worse.
If you’re planning a surgery, you have to get prepared.
You can’t control everything that happens in a hospital or operating room, but here’s what you can do:
Ask for a post-op consult with a physio. Especially after abdominal surgery, you deserve instruction on how to move around, cough or sneeze, etc. without causing harm to your surgery. They’ll say “NO” in many American hospitals, but it’s worth asking.
You should get an incentive spirometer. It helps reduce the risk of post-op pneumonia but is also incredible for getting abdominal swelling down + starting to re-engage your core again.
Ask about common obstacles you encounter in your home. Do you have steep stairs? A low bed? A pet you have to walk? Your care team’s job is to help you navigate your potential obstacles.
Get your discharge instructions in writing, and make sure they match what your care team actually says. If they verbalize something different than what’s on the sheet, ask them to write it down.
If they try to give you discharge instructions without a loved one present, ask them to wait. You may feel groggy and not remember everything.
Bring an advocate with you, especially if you have a more complex medical history or are having a complicated surgery. Make sure your person understands the surgery that’s happening.
Lastly, I want to remind you that you shouldn’t blame your care team.
Our healthcare system is in decline because private equity is taking over healthcare at alarming rates. They’re running hospitals + clinics on skeleton crews and lowering the quality of care as much as possible to maximize profits.
Your healthcare providers are trying their best. They don’t want to forget anything, either, and when you show up prepared, it only lets them help you better. You aren’t bothering anyone!
Questions? My inbox is always open.