More than 36 million people were admitted to hospital in the U.S. in 2019, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). While the average hospital stay is just 4.5 days, certain medical conditions, complications, and procedures can result in a long-term hospital stay lasting weeks or months. This can impact your quality of sleep and overall health, so to ensure you don’t go crazy stuck on a hospital ward, be sure to follow these tips.
Get your gadgets ready
Multiple studies have revealed that inpatients experience boredom in hospital. One study found that 70% of patients said they didn’t have enough to do while admitted. Boredom is associated with poor mental health, so always take plenty of activities into the hospital with you. Gadgets are great as you can do multiple things on them. For example, a tablet can be a reading, watching, and game-playing device. Technology is also useful for staying connected with your loved ones while you’re away. Many hospitals have strict visiting hours and limit the number of people allowed to visit, so video calling is a good way to stay in touch with others.
Take your own bedding
Some hospitals allow patients to take their own bedding and pillows in with them. This is beneficial as having your own possessions and creature comforts will reduce how much you miss home. What’s more, being comfortable is a crucial part of your recovery. If an ordeal has resulted in your long stay in hospital, it’s even more important that you’re as happy and comfortable as can be. Some types of medical malpractice can result in a long stay as they can cause organ damage. You might also have to stay in hospital for a lengthy period because of a delay in treatment due to a misdiagnosis. These types of issues can cause severe pain and discomfort, so your favorite pillow and blanket are a must-part of the recuperation process.
Pack your sleep aids
One study found that the average hospital patient experienced 83 minutes less sleep per night than they did at home. It’s often very difficult to fall asleep in a hospital due to the lighting, other patients, nurses and doctors coming in and out, and machinery. To get the best sleep possible throughout your long stay in hospital, consider packing ear plugs to drown out background noises and an eye mask to block out the light. Natural sleep aids, such as a lavender room spray, can also be beneficial.
Long hospital stays can be a slog. But you can make them as bearable as possible by filling your hospital bag with these handy items.
