Hospitals provide short-term care for individuals who need the highest level of medical care. Common reasons for hospitalization include serious illness, an accident, or surgery. Some hospitals provide less intensive health care services, but the level of care is higher than that provided in a nursing home.

What is a hospital?
Hospitals provide 24-hour care to individuals who have high-level medical needs or are recovering from surgery. Hospitals have teams of health care specialists who oversee patient care and meet acute needs. There has been a recent trend toward decreasing the length of hospital stays. Sometimes this means that patients need additional services, such as Home Health Care or In-Home Supports, once released. Most hospitals also offer a variety of outpatient services.

What should I look for in a hospital?
Most hospitals are located in large metropolitan areas. If you have a choice of hospitals, it is a good idea to consult with friends and health care professionals to find out which hospital(s) offer the best level of care and service.

How do I pay for a hospital stay?
Hospital care is paid for either by the individual who receives the care, their health insurance plan, or by Medicare. Hospitals provide short-term care for individuals who need the highest level of medical care. Common reasons for hospitalization include serious illness, an accident, or surgery. Some hospitals provide less intensive health care services, but the level of care is higher than that provided in a nursing home.

PREPARING FOR A HOSPITALIZATION
Going to the hospital is rarely considered an enjoyable event, but there are things you can do to be well-prepared for a hospitalization that will make it less stressful for you. Take along the following:

• • Drivers Licenses or other state photo identity card
• • Insurance card and information
• • Names and phone numbers of family members or friends to contact in an emergency
• • Assistive devices, such as walkers, crutches, canes, or hearing aids that are well-labeled
• • List of prescription medications, dosages and schedule
• • A copy of your Advance Directives, including the Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, if you have such documents
• • items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hairbrush, shampoo, chargeable razor, and deodorant
• • Cellular phone to stay in touch with family but keep in mind cell phone use may be prohibited in certain parts of the hospital

Do not take the following:

• • Anything of value such as cash, credit cards, jewelry or checkbooks
• • Valuable electronics
• • Medications from home unless specifically directed to bring them

THE HOSPITAL STAY
Keep in mind that every hospital has specific rules and regulations.   A bedside telephone is provided for your convenience in most hospital rooms. With the exception of intensive care units, each bed has its own telephone number so that you can receive calls directly.  Most rooms have television and offer television service free of charge.

Visitor / Family Access
The well-being of patients is an important consideration when making decisions regarding visitors and visiting hours.  Patients, if able, usually determine who can visit them in the hospital.  Family or friends who are ill with a cold or flu should not visit you in the hospital.

Team of Professionals
The hospital has an interdisciplinary team of professionals.  Physician staff may include:

• • Attending physicians, who supervise your medical care
• • Residents, licensed physicians, who are completing advanced training and work with your attending physicians
• • Hospitalists who are trained as internists, family medicine practitioners or critical care specialists. Rather than see patients in an office, these doctors choose to care for patients who are hospitalized

Nursing staff may include:

• • Registered nurses who provide a critical link between the patient and the healthcare team
• • Care partners (formerly referred to as nursing assistants) who provide comfort and hygiene

Case managers may:

• • Work with you, your family and your healthcare team to coordinate your hospital stay
• • Assist with the planning and coordination of your transition from the hospital to home or to other care facilities

HOW TO HANDLE PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS
You may have concerns about the quality of your care or a family member’s care.  If you have concerns, here are some ways to handle them:

• • If you feel being discharged is inappropriate, or too early, ask to have a review of the decision.  Let the nurse or case manager know of your concerns
• • If you are concerned that the care being given is poor quality, discuss with the physician and or nurse
• • If problems are not solved, you can make a formal complaint through a Patient Representative or Senior Administrator
• • If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact the California Department of Public Health at (800) 236-9747 to file a formal complaint

PREPARING FOR DISCHARGE
During your stay, hospital staff will work with you to plan for your discharge.  You and your caregiver should be very involved in the planning.  As your health improves during your hospitalization, it is time to begin planning for the discharge and you should ask about:

• • Care after you are discharged.  Will help be available to come to your home?
• • Medical problems to watch for and what to do about them
• • Prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins.  Discuss them with your nurse.
• • Medical equipment – who will arrange for it?
• • Tasks that require special skills such as giving a shot or caring for a wound
• • Appointments for follow-up.   Have they already been scheduled or do you need to schedule them?

Ask to speak to a social worker or discharge planner if you are uncomfortable with anything or have additional concerns about leaving the hospital.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
There are many resources in your community that can assist with your returning to your home.    They provide services such as home-delivered meals or rides to medical appointments.  They can also discuss other long term services and supports that are available in your area.