If you or someone you know is in the hospital, you know how stressful it can be. The patient may need a friend or family member to step in to advocate for them. This person will need to ask important questions and keep track of the answers. By writing down the questions and the answers, you will have a clearer understanding of what comes next.

It is a good idea to have a friend or family member ask and record the answers about the patient's medical condition. The patient may not be in any condition to be able to either ask questions or record the answers, and may simply be too sick to be their own best advocate.

Some of the questions to be asked and answered include which doctors have treated you while you are in the hospital, what tests are needed before you can be released, and what tasks you must be able to do before you are judged ready to leave the hospital.

It is not unusual to never hear about the results of tests that have been performed. A follow-up system will help you to know to call the doctor's office or ask a nurse to get the test results.

Also, make a list of the tests that remain to be performed on you prior to your release from the hospital; what these tests are for; what the results will indicate; what additional treatment will be needed; and what the possible diagnosis will be.

Before you can be discharged from the hospital, there are certain tasks you probably have to be able to do by yourself. These can include getting out of bed by yourself; being able to walk to the bathroom; having a bowel movement; and/or being hydrated to a certain level.

When you are released it will be important to understand what restrictions you will have relating to food, drink, and physical activities. For example, will you be able to take a shower, drive, drink alcohol, eat normally? This information will help your caregivers take better care of you and help speed your recovery. It is also critical to confirm which medications you are to take once you return home. It is common for a person's medication list to change drastically during their hospitalization.

Being in the hospital can be a time of great stress and it will, hopefully, be a time of great healing. Remember to have someone help you to ask questions and record the answers, so that you can understand the your treatment plan and your prognosis. You will record contact information for your doctors; detailed information about tests and their results; what you need to accomplish physically before you leave the hospital; and what is not recommended for you to do upon your return home.