If you or a loved one is soon to be in the hospital, you can reduce the stress and confusion with some good planning and record keeping. Before the hospitalization, during and then after release, there are questions to ask and answers to record. You might want to keep your health care information in the same place you store your important legal documents.

You will want to have a list of the medicines you are taking, and you will want to keep track of answers to questions you have about your care and treatment. If you are not able to act as your own best health care advocate, it is good to designate someone who can. Also, to make the hospital stay more comfortable, you may want to bring things from home, such as books, slippers, and a robe.

There will be questions that you need to ask so that you can make informed health care decisions. You will want to know the names of the doctors that have treated you in the hospital; tests that were performed and with what results; the diagnosis, in medical and layperson's terms; your medical prognosis; any new medicines that are prescribed; possible side effects of proposed treatment; and information about any appropriate clinical trials.

It is especially important to keep track of medicines prescribed before, during, and upon release from the hospital. Make a note of when medicines are first prescribed, when dosages are adjusted, and all medicines that are discontinued. By keeping track of your current prescriptions, you will prevent being over- or under-medicated or even having medication interactions.

When you are scheduled to be discharged from the hospital, there will be a "discharge meeting." The discharge planner coordinates ordering equipment, home health services, outpatient therapy, and many other services. The planner will make sure that the doctor has issued prescription orders for all services you need. It is a good idea to attend the discharge meeting (or have someone attend on your behalf) so that your needs may be more fully addressed.

Also at the discharge meeting it will be decided if you will go home, or to some other facility. You may be placed in a rehabilitation hospital, a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living residence, or home with help from a caretaker, family member or friend.

A rehabilitation hospital is where they have an intensive therapy program—often several hours a day of therapy. This is a place patients are sent when they are too "well" for the hospital but not yet strong enough to return home. Another option for care between the hospital and the home setting is a skilled nursing facility, which will usually offer some rehabilitation services.There are times when you are no longer able to take care of yourself in your home and need the extra help from an assisted living facility.

Issues of your mobility can be assessed at the hospital, especially if you request it. Many people leaving the hospital will have specialized equipment for their recovery period. There are many other pieces of medical equipment to help you with your mobility besides the wheelchair and walker--you may need a raised toilet seat, grab bars in the shower, and bathroom railings. Many of these items will be provided for you to use while you are admitted to a rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility.

Additional details will be needed if you are going from the hospital to your home. Will your necessary equipment be there already? Will you be able to reach all rooms or areas in your home? Will your home need modifications so that you can access all areas of it? If you persist in asking questions before your release from the hospital, you can help that transition to home be as smooth as it can be. While a hospital stay is never looked forward to, with some planning, asking the right questions, and recording information, the stay may be less stressful. Further, when you have adequate information about your health and your treatment options, you can make more informed decisions and feel more in control of your life and your health.