Being hospitalized is scary. If it happens to your loved one, minimize confusion by being as prepared as possible. This article will teach you how to become an effective advocate for your loved one while he or she is hospitalized. You're likely to have questions, such as:

Who is your main point of contact at the hospital, and what can you ask of this person?
How do you make sure your loved one receives the highest level of care?
How do you make sure your loved one is comfortable?
Most answers are based on a multitude of factors unique to each patient, but there are a few rules of thumb that can make the hospitalization process much easier. The following steps are invaluable.

Share information about your loved one's condition. Let hospital staff know about any physical or cognitive impairments, even if the information seems obvious. Is your loved one unable to use the emergency call button due to arthritis? Does he or she have difficulty following directions because of cognitive impairment? Speak up and let staffers know.
Keep notes and pay attention. Hospitals focus on relieving acute medical problems, so smaller issues may be overlooked. As an advocate for your loved one, it's your job to speak up if you feel he or she is not receiving proper care.
Secure any valuables. If you cannot secure them within the hospital, ask your loved one if you can take some items home for him or her.
Make sure your loved one is comfortable:
If he or she is in pain, speak to the doctor to see what can be done to alleviate it.
Inform hospital staff of your loved one's dietary needs and/or preferences. Ask that meals be free of disliked items; this helps ensure your loved one has some creature comforts.
Small things can mean a world of difference when placed in an unfamiliar hospital environment. Bring in favorite grooming supplies (e.g., shampoos, soaps and lotions). A small photograph can add some cheer to a hospital room as well.
Ask your loved one specific questions (e.g., Would you like your pillows adjusted? Do you need more water? Do you want the blinds opened?), rather than asking if he or she needs anything in general.
Recruit as many visitors as possible. Even short visits can raise your loved one's spirits and provide a nice change.
Find your discharge planner. This is one of the first people you should contact after your loved one has been admitted to the hospital. Discharge planners-and your relationship with them-can make a significant difference in your experience with the hospitalization.

The Discharge Planner: Your Most Important Hospital Contact
Once you've made sure your loved one is as comfortable as possible, the next step is finding the discharge planner. Although the term "discharge planner" probably sounds like someone you'll only need to worry about when your loved is leaving the hospital, the role discharge planners play is just as vital and comprehensive as those of the nursing staff and attending physician. For example, it is the discharge planner who acts as the liaison between the patient and the doctor when it comes to scheduling how long the hospital stay will be. Discharge planners are also a wealth of information. Confer with your discharge planner about the options your loved one will have after being discharged, and whether long-term care or short-term rehab will be necessary.

Keep in mind that discharge planners must review and update many patient records in a short period of time, which means most of them place a high value (and rightly so) on their time. If your loved one has many concerned family members and/or friends, then nominate one individual to be in contact with the discharge planner. Inundating the discharge planner with excessive phone calls or redundant queries will only be frustrating for everyone involved. How to get started:

Ask any floor nurse for the discharge planner's name and office location.
Go to the discharge planner's office and introduce yourself. Ask if he or she needs any information from you. Most discharge planners have large caseloads and must work briskly to get through the paperwork. Make things easier by bringing all the relevant information you have, such as:
All patient insurance information
A list of current patient medications (Note any medications that were ceased during hospitalization. In the case of surgery, certain drugs such as anticoagulants may have been stopped. Ask when they should be resumed and make sure this is noted on the patient's chart.)
A list of contacts and their phone numbers, including primary physician, primary caregivers and geriatric care manager, if applicable
Ask for the discharge planner's direct phone line.
Ask for progress reports to help you understand your loved one's condition. Point out any disparities between what's been noted and what you've seen.
Ask about the timeline for discharge. This may change, but if your loved requires assistance after hospitalization, this will let you know how much time you have to arrange the necessary services