The post -treatment care is as critical for your safe and complete recovery as is the actual surgery or medical intervention. Care is required in many areas such as Medication,Anti-Bacterial Care, Preventing Infections, Wound care, Diet, Rest, Exercise, and Watching out for further Symptoms. These are all prescribed in your Discharge summary.
Understanding the discharge summary includes medication, diet, exercise, rest, symptom management and emergency protocol. Be attentive to the instructions given while leaving the hospital.Ask repeatedly for explanations until you are clear about the Home Care instructions.
If you speak a different language, ask for help in translation, so that you can understand.
The Doctor would also schedule a date for reviewing your progress. Always remember to write down symptoms, doubts, questions you may have, to show your doctor.
A family member may be the caregiver who can attend to nursing requirements of the patient. Do not hesitate to ask for professional nursing help if needed. It is important that the Caregiver also takes care of their own health as they also go through a lot of stress and fatigue and getting help of attendants may be necessary. Sometimes a semi- skilled attendant may suffice, to attend to personal care of the patient, administer medicines , body care and help mobility. For anything more complicated, like feeding through ryes’ tube, intravenous or injectable medication, infection or wound care, a more skilled nurse may be needed.
Some ailments need extra care, besides medication, like physiotherapy, heat treatment, chemotherapy, radio therapy, for a full cure.
Regularity of medicines is vital to cure. Do not over indulge, or cut short medicines on your own. Consult the doctor to stop or continue medicines.
RELEVANT LINKS for further reading:
What is discharge summary? Why is it important
What are the signs of an emergency?who to contact
Where can I find nursing attendants?
How can I prevent infection in my wounds at home?
Do we need physiotherapy after every surgery?
Roles and responsibility of Care givers and Family
Special facilities for patients with disabilities
Guidelines for geriatric care
How can patients prevent falls in hospitals?
How can patients prevent falls at home?
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