Hospital: in-patient or out-patient

When going to the hospital for in-patient or out-patient occasions, always have a list handy of what you might need. I put my lists on the back of the bathroom closet door. I taped an envelope there with both lists in it. It's handy and the whole family knows where it is in case they need it. If I'm the one in the hospital, being the lady of the house, this makes it easier for my family to know what is needed in an emergency.
Pack any toiletries you may need: toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, hair brush or comb, razor, etc. Take books or magazines to pass the time if the stay will be prolonged. If your mailing label from the magazine company is not on the front cover, you may want to place one of your own regular address labels on the periodical to assure no one else thinks it belongs to the hospital. If you are visiting as an out-patient or in-patient, it is best to take your own magazines or books to read while waiting. There are many germs on the hospital's public magazine copies, and that is the number one reason to avoid handling them.
Keeping all of the items you bring in an over sized tote bag will aid you in not misplacing things or leaving them behind in the area. Taking a tote that is a distinctive color will help you and your family keep up with it too.
One of the biggest mistakes for a patient to make is to indulge in cold or hot beverages just before being seen by the nurse or doctor. This will cause a false reading with an oral thermometer. Try to get to an appointment in time to sit still for at least 15 minutes before the alloted time. This will help your blood pressure reading to be more accurate. These are only a few things to keep in mind when going to the doctor, or when making hospital visits.