Page 17 - WestCalcasieuCameron2017

YOUR DOCTOR VISIT Your Doctor Visit Did Your Know What's Next! YOUR YOUR PATIENT Before Surgery

ADVOCATE is usually
SUPPORT
Doctor
Be sure you understand the
• Be sure that your Surgical Team
Your doctor visit is your time
a hospital
PERSON
Give
WHEN, WHY, WHAT and HOW
knows your NAME (Your I.D.
to ask questions about your
You New
for any follow-up appointments
employee
is a friend
band should have your correct
healthcare. To be more engaged
or tests you will have.
name) and the TYPE OF
in your care, follow these tips.
or family
that can
Medicines?
SURGERY you are having.
WRITE down all questions
BEFORE you see your doctor and
FOLLOW-UP appointment?
your stay in
help during your
WHAT, and HOW to take it?
knows if you have a mediport,
choose a support person to help
HOW will you get there?
• Are there any food or beverage
stay in these ways:
the following ways:
pacemaker, insulin pump, or
you ask questions, take notes, • Do you understand WHEN, WHY, • WHEN is your next member that can help during • Be sure that your Surgical Team SUPPORT, ADVOCATE, BEFORE SURGERY
LIMITS with the new medication?
and remember instructions. other device.
• If you need TESTS, do you
REMIND STAFF to WASH TELL your doctor about ALL of know WHEN you are scheduled • HELPS YOU KEEP TRACK of • TELLS you what to expect during Your Surgical Team will mark
your hospital stay.
questions for your doctor
THEIR HANDS if you don’t see your prescriptions/over-the-counter for the TEST, WHY you need the about medicines, procedures, your body part to be operated
them do it. Be sure they wear meds, vitamins/supplements, HOW TEST, WHAT to expect and HOW or treatments. • HELPS you understand your on. If you are not awake, be sure
CLEAN GLOVES before giving MUCH you take and HOW OFTEN. to prepare for it? treatments, medications, procedures, your Support Person knows:
shots, touching wounds, or • KEEPS AN EYE ON YOU surgeries/post-surgery care, tests or
examining your mouth SPEAK UP about any PAIN or other for changes in your condition after hospital care instructions. • Your Surgical Team has marked
or private parts. • If your doctor has referred you to
SYMPTOMS you are experiencing, a SPECIALIST, do you know WHEN during and after your hospital the CORRECT BODY PART to be
how long you’ve had them, and stay, and asks for help on • ANSWERS questions about billing, operated on and have matched
ASK your doctor to any changes in your appetite, sleep, your appointment is, WHY your your behalf. payment and insurance. it with your NAME, BIRTH DATE
EXPLAIN your diagnosis or energy level. doctor has referred you, WHAT and the SURGERY you are having.
and plan of treatment UNTIL kind of specialist you will see and • HAS BEEN INTRODUCED to • ARRANGES your transition from
YOU UNDERSTAND. ASK for a translator LEARN about your condition from HOW you will get there? your healthcare team so that the hospital to another treatment or
to speak your language if needed.
the library or support groups. Visit both of you are kept up-to-date living facility, and helps to make sure
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus. on your care and responsibilities. the transition goes smoothly. Courtesy of The Joint Commission
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