About Your Hospital Stay

Taking some time to plan and prepare can make your hospital stay more comfortable and less stressful. The following checklist is a guide for what to bring with you.

• Health insurance cards
• Personal identification cards
• Your doctors’ names and phone numbers
• Advance Directives, Power of Attorney or Living Will if you have one
• Medical history
• List of medications. Please be sure to include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and any herbal or natural supplements. (Only bring actual medications to the hospital with you if instructed by physician.)
• Inhalers, if you are asthmatic. Give your inhalers to your nurse when you arrive.
• Bag or backpack to carry your personal items
• Toiletries such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, soap, shampoo, a comb or hair brush.
• Protective containers for eyeglasses, contacts, dentures, wigs or prosthesis.
• Writing paper and pen, for making notes or recording questions you want to ask your doctor.
• Please do not bring jewelry, credit cards, money or other valuables.

• Diet restrictions and preferences
• Language interpretation and communication assistance needs
• Religious or cultural preferences
• Other special needs