Ask Questions before Getting Discharged from the Hospital

Experts say it is important to start thinking ahead to your recovery as you begin to heal from an injury, surgical procedure or illness. This includes proactively thinking about questions you should ask before you are discharged from the hospital. Dr. Ruby Sahoo, a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine’s board of directors and the hospital medicine performance director at TeamHealth in Austin, says there is no need to be shy about asking questions as doctors and nurses welcome them. 

Dr. Sahoo explains even though the hospital discharge team will go over much of the information you need to know, your questions can give you a better understanding of your diagnosis and treatment, and a better understanding of how to help yourself heal. This is important as a 2021 report found on average, 14% of people were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their initial stay.  

The questions you ask regarding your healthcare can also alert doctors to specific issues such as a patient remembering they previously took a medication now being prescribed at an earlier time and had a bad reaction. Knowing this your team can find a better alternative. 

To aid your healing process and help prevent the need to be readmitted, before leaving the hospital make sure you know the medications, the dosage, how to take them and why you are taking them. Ask if doctors found any other problems during your stay?  Also what type of follow-up appointments will you need, and has your primary doctor been updated? Additionally, what symptoms indicate you need to seek medical attention or return to the hospital?  

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Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/questions-to-ask-before-leaving-the-hospital