Care, following surgery, can mean the difference between pain, suffering and loss of mobility, and feeling better than you have in years. Quality care, post-surgery, is just as important as the surgery itself in many cases.
When you want the best care possible for yourself or a loved one, you need to prepare ahead of time.
1. Truly Take An Interest in Caretakers
A major mistake that a lot of people make is that they don?t want to ?annoy? the surgeon or staff. When you don?t ask questions, you?re not going to receive the best quality care possible. It’s important to ask questions, but it?s also just as important to be as polite and thankful as possible.
The patient, the one that just had surgery, will be better off if they appreciate the staff members that are helping them through this tough time.
Hospitals are very stressful environments, and while the patient is going through recovery, all of the nurses, techs and doctors are also under a lot of pressure. Everyone has their own life problems going on, but when you do the following, it makes receiving quality care natural:
- Thank all of the nurses, techs and doctors that enter the room
- Build a relationship with these individuals
- Ask these individuals how their day his going
- Genuinely care of those that are taking care of you or a loved one
When a patient is loving and caring, their caretakers will go the extra mile to ensure that they receive exemplary care.
2. Prepare for Post-Surgery in Advance
Surgery is always serious, and a major hinderance on the quality care a person receives is often their own mental state. When going into surgery, the person should take time to really research the procedure.
You ought to ask your doctors questions to fully understand the extent of the surgery.
You may need extra help getting around. This may mean renting or purchasing a walking aid. If you will require one, then securing a wheelchair or walker beforehand is a good idea.
The goal is to leave no question unasked. You want to know what will happen after surgery, and it?s important for the patient to prepare for everything mentally. A lot of the issues that happen post operation are mental in nature.
Depression, fear and worry are amplified when a person comes out of surgery and doesn?t know what to expect.
Mind, body and spirit all need to be the center of attention at this time. I am not saying you need to take on a new religion or anything of that means, but it?s important to:
- Mentally prepare for the surgery
- Understand how long the hospital stay will be
- Call friends and family for added support
- Make plans for the future
Illness and surgery are just one part of life. There is a lot that you?ll want to prepare for, and oftentimes, one of the best things that you can do is prepare for the future. Looking forward to doing something or seeing someone after surgery will make the time recovering in the hospital easier to deal with.
3. Understand the Importance of the Rehab Required After Surgery
The surgery you have performed may or may not require rehab. If rehab is required, it?s one of the most important aspects of quality, post-surgery care.
Rehab centers, or therapy centers, will work with the patient to ensure that their needs are met.
However, this level of care will not be the same level as the intensive care unit. Expect response times to be slower, but also make sure that:
- Rehabilitation centers have all of the patient?s information
- The patient follows their rehabilitation plan inside and outside of the hospital
- The patient understands that asking for ?help? is acceptable
You also need to take charge of the patient?s care. Don?t assume that all of the proper information is passed from one facility to the next. If the patient isn?t allowed to eat a certain food, ensure that they do not eat it.
This may mean that the patient received the food erroneously from a staff member, or the patient may be trying to sneak the food.
Take charge and ensure that all care recommendations are followed.
And if something isn?t working out well, don?t be afraid to bring your concerns up with staff members and develop a new treatment plan.
