Whether you have been in the hospital for a short stay or a longer period of time, the moment that the doctor discharges you is a wonderful one – you can finally go home! However, in most cases (particularly after an extended stay), you won’t simply be able to pick up your things and leave. There are some important tasks to carry out before you exit the hospital for (hopefully) the last time.
Get Your Medication
When you are in the hospital, a nursing team will be helping you to get well. They will be bringing you your medication at the right time and perhaps helping you to take it. They will be changing your dressings and anointing your wounds with the right creams and other medicines.
When you leave the hospital, unless a district nurse is coming to check on you, you may need to know how to do this for yourself, so speak to your nurses about what you should do and how you should do it. If you have any concerns, this is the time to mention them.
Plus, you should make sure you are given a prescription or the medicines themselves so that you don’t run the risk of not having any to take and becoming unwell again.
Could There Be Complications?
Although it’s not a particularly pleasant conversation to have, you really should ask your doctor or nurse about the possibility of complications and the symptoms you should be looking out for. If someone is coming to your home to take care of you while you recover, they should know about the signs of anything going wrong as well, just in case.
Not only should you know what the complications could look and feel like, but you should also ask what you should do if they occur. Should you, for example, call an ambulance, or would a course of antibiotics be the answer and you can speak to your GP about it?
If you are especially worried that something might be wrong and you think you might need additional expert help in proving it, then you can speak to companies such as The Medical Negligence Experts who can help you with any claim you might need to make.
Make An Appointment To See Your GP
Even if there is nothing wrong, it is wise to make an appointment to see your GP. They should be kept up to date with anything you have been through medically, and although they will have been sent your hospital notes, there is nothing quite like speaking face to face and explaining what happened to you. They can get a clearer picture of your accident or illness, and give you more advice should you need it.
Arrange Transportation
Are you medically fit to drive? If not, you will need to arrange transportation from the hospital. In some cases, the hospital will be able to do this for you, but for most people, it will be a case of calling a friend or relative for a lift, using public transport or hiring a taxi. Whichever you choose, make sure you arrange it so that you do not have to wait around in the hospital (or even outside it) for too long, as you don’t want to become unwell again.
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