Some people approach life with spontaneity, going with the flow, and living moment to moment. However, planning and preparation are keys to reducing worry and stress for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and other chronic lung conditions. Unfortunately, symptoms related to these lung conditions and the possible sensitivity of immune systems can lead to frequent flare-ups. A flare-up (or exacerbation) may respond to treatment quickly, but there can be a chance that it could be more severe. Are you prepared if your health care team decides you need to be treated in a hospital?
Here are some ideas on how to prepare for an unexpected hospital stay.
Keep relevant health information in your wallet or purse – I recommend keeping a list of the medications and dosages that you are currently taking in your wallet or purse. You may want to also include any significant medical information like your current lung diagnosis, heart history, and medication allergies. Having this information readily available will not only make medication reconciliation (when the hospital takes note of all medicines you are taking at home) easier for your health care team.
Prepare a “go bag”- You might say to yourself, “Christina, is that really necessary?” When you must stay in the hospital, they do provide you with a few necessary items like a gown, socks, toothpaste/toothbrush, soap, a comb, and linens, but let us just say…you may want to have a few more “creature comforts” available to you! You will be more comfortable if you have a cozy set of pajamas. (I recommend short-sleeved that button up the front.) Also, slippers, reading glasses, a phone charger, small/travel size of your own toiletries, and extra underwear are ideal for packing. All these items can be stored in a small duffle bag/tote if you need a hospital stay.
Make a plan for your “fur family” – Our pets are our family. If you need to stay in the hospital, have someone you can call to care for your pets. Have a list of care instructions attached to your refrigerator or somewhere easily accessible. This takes the guesswork out of how often you feed them, how much food they need, and if they require any special medications or care. If you plan to have a family member or friend care for your pets, you may want to ask them if they would be available if you needed their help. You will worry less knowing that your “fur family” is taken care of.
If you are a caregiver – Some members of our community are caregivers and they either care for their children, spouses, or other loved ones. If this is the case, create a plan to have an alternate means to provide care. Having a care plan will lessen the stress or anxiety of not knowing who will take care of your loved one while you heal and recover.
Create a contact list – Everyone, regardless of whether you have COPD, bronchiectasis, or another lung condition, needs to have a call list. At the top of this list should be the first person to be called in case of emergency. Most of us have cell phones now, but you may want to keep a small written list in your wallet or on display in your kitchen for easy access. It may also be wise to include names and contact numbers for health care practitioners you see routinely. Talk to your emergency contact about your plans for your pets, where to find your “go bag,” and any other helpful information they might need in case you need a hospital stay.
When hospital stays occur, it can be a concerning time. Hopefully, these tips for having a plan and preparing for hospitalization will help to make the process a bit less stressful. What other things do you do to prepare for a hospital stay? Share your thoughts below.