Often it is the little things that can make life easier, the sort of things that we do every day but never really think about their importance. Healthcare professionals often forget in that it is usually a patient’s first time in hospital, a freaky occasion for anyone and that the patients understanding of processes and conditions related to surgery is usually zero.

Surveying healthcare workers for the one tip that they would give to a hospital patient revealed some interesting thoughts. By far the most popular suggestion was to ask questions and to make sure you understand the answers. Other suggestions ranged from using a button up shirt if you having shoulder surgery to asking if a trainee Surgeon is going to perform the operation.

Here is the top 10 responses received both from surveying nurses on the wards and via twitter. Please feel free to comment. Perhaps next time I should do a list of the top 10 of patient suggestions for nurses!

1.     Ask Questions and get Answers. Write them down or get someone to remember them as you are likely to forget!
2.     If you are unable to pay attention, get someone who can advocate for you until you are able to do so yourself.
3.     Continue with your DVT exercises when you go home, not just whilst in hospital. Avoid crossing your legs.
4.     Prepare yourself mentally as well as physically before you go to hospital. It will take longer than you think to recover.
5.     From the moment you wake up in recovery after your operation, make sure your pain and nausea is well managed. Don’t play catch up, you won’t.
6.     Always have 2 icepacks in the freezer at home. This will make sure one is always frozen.
7.     Make sure staff wash their hands.
8.     Know your medications and how they will effect you.
9.    Always tell the Doctor the truth about your symptoms.
10.   A little bit of thanks goes a long way.

So there it is, tips straight from the ward. I hope it helps next time you are in hospital.