Tips & Tools Every Hospital Patient Should Know

Hospital visits can be stressful, but with a little preparation, you can make the experience easier for yourself and your loved ones. Here are some of the best tips and tools I recommend:

1. Create a “Go Bag”

Keep a dedicated hospital bag ready in a place the whole family knows about. I’ll share what’s in mine to help you get started. Having a bag ready saves time and reduces stress in an emergency.

2. Keep a Medical Journal or Record

Inside your Go Bag, include a simple medical journal. You’ll be asked the same questions repeatedly—when you arrive, and again at every shift change. A health journal helps track:

• Your condition and symptoms
• Doctor’s comments
• Questions and answers
• Medication list

If you use electronic records (like MyChart), that’s great. If not, download my medication spreadsheet to track your prescriptions. Keep a copy in your Go Bag, a photo on your phone, and a printed copy in your wallet. When you’re too ill to answer, your family will be grateful to have it.

3. Prepare Your Medication List

Medication details—brand names, generic names, dosages, and timing—are overwhelming, especially for stressed family members. Having this list prevents mistakes, delays, or dangerous mix-ups.

4. Why This Matters

Even with today’s technology, hospital errors still happen: missed medications, wrong dosages, overlooked allergies, or unnecessary repeat testing. These mistakes can cause complications you don’t need on top of being sick. With preparation, many of these issues can be avoided.

5. The Health Management Tool

To make this process easier, I’ve designed a Health Management Binder. It keeps everything in one place so any family member can step in and communicate clearly with doctors.

• Comes with both hard copy and digital access
• Printable pages you can update as your needs change
• Covers prevention guidelines, medications, allergies, test results, care plans, and more

A binder ensures your care is consistent, no matter the hospital or doctor. Even if your records are scattered across systems, you’ll have what you need at hand.

6. Join the Community

We’re building a supportive space at facebook.com/LNCsunshinestories. It’s a private but free group where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals share advice, resources, and encouragement.

In the community, you’ll also find:

• Updated binder pages as guidelines change
• Shopping lists and gift guides
• Care plan templates for conditions like diabetes or asthma

The goal is to make sure you’re prepared without being overwhelmed by unnecessary paperwork.

7. Take Charge of Your Health

Doctors often have only a few minutes per visit, and prevention can be overlooked. Your binder keeps preventive testing front and center, holding your healthcare team accountable while helping you stay organized.

This is one of the best gifts you can give your family: peace of mind during a crisis. By preparing now, you protect yourself and make life easier for those who may need to speak on your behalf.