Most of the time no one wants to go to the hospital, and nobody especially wants to have to return after they have been discharged.
Sometimes, though, it does happen because not all readmission and emergency room visits are avoidable.
Maybe the care a patient got the first time around was insufficient. Or perhaps their care following discharge was inadequate.
No matter the reason for being readmitted to the hospital or making a trip to the emergency room, most people would prefer to avoid having to go back for more care.
Learn why you should quit smoking before surgery
When your condition gets worse, it disrupts your recovery, costs more time and money, and creates an additional burden on your loved ones or friends who are helping provide you with care.
Reduce your risk of readmission to the hospital
Once you're headed out the door from the hospital, your need to be vigilant goes up. As a patient, there are some things you can do to be proactive and help prevent the likelihood of needing to go back into the hospital after you have surgery, including:- Taking detailed, written notes on what to do (or having a loved one help capture detailed instructions) before you leave the hospital
- Arranging timely follow-up check-in appointments with your care team
- Practicing active self-care, including sticking to a new daily routine that supports your recovery
- Taking medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor
- Eating healthy foods that nourish your body and help it heal
- Faithfully following your doctor's instructions for taking care of your incision
- Paying attention to your body and calling your doctor for guidance if you experience potential signs of trouble once you get home, such as:
- Drainage from your incision
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Feelings of tightness in your chest or a rapid heart rate
- Increased swelling or redness around your incision
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath that won't go away
- Severe headaches
- Pain that doesn't go away after you take pain medication
- Chills
- Fever above 100.4 degrees
- Pronounced swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
- Blood in your stool or urine
Plan ahead
It's up to you to be front and center when reclaiming your health after your hospital stay.
The best way to start off on the right foot is to make plans for your recovery before you go into the hospital.
Tackle important tasks as soon as possible, such as figuring out which doctor you should call if you have questions once you get home and which doctor you should make an appointment to see for follow-up care.
Once you get home, don't wait to get help when you need it. For example, if you find yourself confused about your discharge instructions or if you can't remember what you need to do, call your care team right away for guidance.
Get the surgery you need, close-to-home
Logansport Memorial Hospital provides minimally invasive and advanced surgical services right here in central Indiana.
Avoid the stress of traveling for your procedure by getting the care you need from LMH’s experienced team of skilled surgeons.
Learn more about our surgical services
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