How to avoid coming down with ‘post-hospital syndrome’
It’s the last thing you want when you’ve been discharged from the hospital.
And that’s to end up right back there again.
But, believe it or not, your chances of making a second trip have never been better.
So many people are now being readmitted to hospitals within 30 days that doctors have even come up with a name for it — post-hospital syndrome (PHS).
It seems that a hospital stay, even if it takes care of your original illness or injury, can make you susceptible to a whole host of other conditions.
Fortunately, there are six easy things you can do right now to beat PHS — and get off that hospital carousel for good.
But one of the worst has to be the stress factor — and I’m talking about both physical and emotional stress.
That’s something Dr. Harlan Krumholz knows a lot about. He’s a cardiologist and professor of medicine at Yale — and the one who first started drawing attention to PHS.
You see, while hospital readmissions are often directly related to your original problem, Dr. Kumholz found that just the stress of being in the hospital takes a toll on you.
And that makes you a sitting duck for lots of illnesses.
I’ve warned you about hospital-acquired infections over the years, but that’s only one of the problems. Something as simple as your daily routine being thrown off — or the annoyance of being hospitalized — can wear you down physically.
And experts say that it doesn’t take much, either. Just being in the hospital for even a few days is enough to make you weak and less able to take care of yourself and fully recover when you get home. That’s especially true during the critical first week after discharge.
But the cure for PHS, doctors say, can start while you’re still being cared for in the hospital. For example:
Tip #1: Move as much as your doctor will allow — meaning taking those walks around the floor whenever you can and starting physical therapy as soon as possible. Experts say that even for patients in the ICU, too much bed rest can be very harmful.
Tip #2: While some hospitals have ditched the Jell-O and mashed potatoes for healthier foods, you still can’t count on it. So here’s what to do. Skip the artificial sweeteners, the French toast, the sugary breakfast cereals and most all processed foods you’re offered. Instead, go for fresh fruits and vegetable and the least-processed items on the menu. And yes, family members can bring you food from home!
Tip #3: Getting a good night’s sleep may be the hardest thing to do in a hospital, but one of the most important for getting well. Bring a white noise machine or a music-playing device (like an iPod) so you can “tune out” the hospital sounds. And also ask about having a “do not disturb” time so you can get some rest without being awakened by a nurse asking how you’re feeling.
And once you’re home:
Tip #1: Make sure you understand your discharge plan completely. Too often, patients are sent home not really knowing what to do or look out for. Here’s where asking too many questions is a good thing.
Tip #2: If you’ve been prescribed a new drug, ask what side effects you may experience — and what to do should that happen.
Tip #3: Try to stay as active as possible, which includes keeping up with all physical therapy appointments.
And make sure you get all the help you need in that critical first week home, be it from family members, a visiting nurse or (preferably) both.
Sources:
“Does going to the hospital make you sicker?” Stacey Colino, February 17, 2016, U.S. News & World Report, health.usnews.com
