A Trip To The Hospital: Now What Do I Do?

By Liz Pencak

Director of Marketing & Clinical Liaison

Are you prepared to ride-the-rails of the emotional rollercoaster?

As you travel the back roads from your house to your parents – for your weekly luncheon with mom – you think about the tasks to be completed that day. A trip to the grocery store. A quick stop at the bank. Shuttling kids to and from sporting activities. Your mind continues to compose the list, as you pull over for an ambulance with lights and sirens blaring. As you round the corner of your parent’s street, you see your father and several neighbors in the driveway … your heart skips a beat.

Your father proceeds to tell you … mom had been walking down to the mailbox, twisted her ankle, fell and hit her head. Apparently, she laid in the driveway for about 20 minutes before dad went looking for her. The paramedics insisted on taking mom to the hospital for a quick review and assessment. And so, the ride begins.

The next three hours are spent providing insurance information, reviewing past medical history, answering questions about “the incident,” undergoing multiple tests and waiting to see the emergency department physician. Mom appears to be fine and so your mind starts to readjust the list from this morning. Grocery store can wait until tomorrow. Hit the ATM on the way home. My sister may be able to shuttle the kids around. And then, the doctor arrives. Test results show abnormalities and the physician is recommending mom be admitted for observation and a few additional tests.

Many folks will experience similar situations like the one described above. Will they be prepared? Will they know their options? Most of us desperately try to avoid a trip to the hospital, so we avoid having conversations about these types of events. If we don’t speak of them – perhaps they won’t happen to us – resulting in most people being unprepared to traverse this very personal and emotional rollercoaster ride. According to the U.S. Department for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 Americans will visit an emergency department at least once a year. With those amazing statistics it is obvious, we must get out of our comfort zone, do the research and be prepared.

Doing the due diligence prior to the need will allow objectivity. Don’t allow yourself to be thrust into an emotionally charged situation having to make very difficult/important decisions. Certainly, take the time to know – and understand – your options. If home healthcare has been recommended, understand that there are many providers offering both medical and non-medical/companion care options. If skilled nursing/short-term rehabilitation is recommended, then have you visited any campuses? Do you understand the services that will be provided? What benefits will be covered by insurance?

These are decisions most of us will face at some point in our lives. Your medical professionals will certainly provide options and recommendations – but the decisions are yours to make. Be prepared!

Liz Pencak will be part of a panel discussion addressing the topic “A Trip To The Hospital: Now What?” as part of The Village at Marymount’s popular Speaker Series program. The event, which includes a light dinner and refreshments, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. To attend this free event, please call Liz at 216-332-1396.