Patient Experience at the Hospital
Imagine the kind of care you would like to receive while in the hospital. You want professionals who focus on you, your care and your ongoing health. What you want is a good patient experience — safe, attentive care that emphasizes communication, information and physical care.
Patient experience refers to important things that happen from the time you enter a hospital until you leave.
Your health care team, including doctors and nurses, should explain things in a way you understand, listen to you and treat you with courtesy and respect. Your hospital room should be clean and quiet. The hospital staff should give you quick help when you need it and do everything they can to help you manage your pain.
A good patient experience can make you feel included, but it’s not just about a feeling. Having a good experience when you are in the hospital can lead to better health.
What can patients do?
Help make sure you have a good experience by doing your part.
- Make sure you understand what the doctor is telling you. If you have questions, make sure you ask them.
- It may help to have a family member or friend present to help make sure that you are getting the information and care you need.
- If you are having a problem, don’t be afraid to speak up.
- Before you leave the hospital, make sure you completely understand your discharge instructions. They can help you get better sooner and avoid a return trip to the hospital.
Visit Own Your Health to help you make informed health care decisions.
What should your hospital do?
There are specific things you should expect when you are in the hospital.
You should expect and experience certain things during your stay, such as:
- A hospital room and bathroom that are kept clean.
- Hospital staff who do everything they can to help you manage your pain.
- Quiet around your room at night.
- Quick help from hospital staff when you need it, such as when you use the call button.
- Your health care team, including doctors and nurses, should listen to you, treat you with courtesy and respect, and explain things in a way you can understand.
- Clear and detailed information about what to do during your recovery at home, including potential problems to watch for during recovery.
- Clear and detailed information about what medicines you need to take, including why you need to take them, how and when you should take them, and what side effects the medicines might have.