How to Survive Your Hospital Stay: The Complete Guide to Getting the Care You Need--And Avoiding Problems You Don't

This is a must read, if you have to be admitted to a hospital! I found it to be very helpful! Great information. This helps avoid ALL the bad things that could go wrong, and have in some cases. Keeps you on the ball, on what, when, who, and how! 5 stars! SC.

This book is a lifesaver, literally. Written by an experienced healthcare professional, guidelines are given in simple language with examples of dialogues on how to assert your safety in healthcare situations without disrespect, but with clarity. Explanation of basic patient rights and how to retain your sense of power and self in a situation that doesn't necessarily nurture your input or common sense. The description of the underlying organization of the healthcare setting (hospital in particular) is invaluable to understand the motivations and limitations of the system. The patient can be more ready to protect their interests (with the help of a health advocate) and avoid potential mistakes, and common problems caused by the system of healthcare itself. Read this book for yourself, then pass it on. Leave a copy in your local hospital, doctor's waiting room. This information is not widely known, and is an essential protection for anyone having to face the medical environment.

I bought this book so that I could do research on how to have a good hospital stay. Based on what I have read in the book, the author has done an excellent job of explaning how the medical profession and hospitals work in a way that laypeople such as myself can understand in order to have as pleasant a stay as possible. I only have one minor constructive comment to make. In the book, it states that you should be honest with medical personnel regarding habits such as diet, drinking, drug use, etc. I have no doubt that the author is being sincere and well-meaning in providing this advice; however, this should be taken with a huge grain of salt because in my native state of Pennsylvania, a man told his doctor that he drank a six-pack of beer a day and the doctor contacted Penn DOT to have his driver's license supended!!! My state apparently has a law that allows this. I can only imagine the possible consequences if you admitted to illegal drug use, etc. The bottom line is this: great book, but if you're the partying type, carefully research your state's laws regarding a doctor's discretion to have the authorities in your state sanction you. Do so BEFORE an emergency happens!!! Your freedom may depend upon it.