Navigating Your Hospital Stay
        
        
          
            Topic Overview
            Hospitals can be big, confusing places, especially if you've never been a patient in one before.
            But by taking the time to learn about how hospitals work and what you can expect, you may be able to lower your stress and concentrate on what's important: feeling better.
           
          
            Before You Go
            There is much you can do ahead of time to make your hospital experience go more smoothly.
            
            Learn how to manage stress
            
            Fill out important forms
            
           
          
            What To Expect
            How the hospital works
            
            Being an active patient
            
            Your treatment
            
            Making decisions about your treatment
            
            Preventing problems
            
            Your child in the hospital
            
           
          
            When—and After—You Leave
            As a smart patient, you want to find out exactly what you need to do after you leave the hospital to stay as healthy as possible.
            Taking charge of your health after you're home is one of the best ways to prevent a return trip to the hospital.
            
           
          
          
            Credits
            
              
                
                  Current as of:  October 24, 2024
               
              
             
           
         
        
        
          
            
              Current as of: October 24, 2024