Visiting Hours: Proper Hospital Etiquette

Health is wealth, but more often than not we tend to take it for granted until something happens to remind us to take better care of ourselves. Hospitals are hardly the place you’d want to spend your nights, so whether you’re a patient or a visitor, read on these basic etiquette rules to make the most out of your visits:

1. Skip the perfume
Remember that strong smells can cause a negative reaction and make a patient gag, sneeze or feel nauseous.


2. Check for food restrictions
Be sensitive to the fact that the patient you’re visiting may need to avoid certain food due to diet restrictions or fasts before undergoing procedures.


3. Be cheery, not dreary
Despite the negative reactions hospitals, illnesses and seeing sick people can bring, remember that the point of your visit is to cheer up the patient. Save your grievances for outside and away from the sick. This also includes being sensitive around family members who may be just as vulnerable and anxious with worry.


4. Step away from a slumber party
If a patient already has the room full of well-wishers, consider coming back or leaving a note or card instead. Despite good intentions, hovering around may actually be more stressful to the patient and the family who might feel obliged to attend to each and every guest.


5. Think about your thoughtfulness
It’s always nice for a patient to receive small gifts to keep his/her spirits up. Choose wisely—if the patient is there for an eye surgery for example, don’t bring reading materials. Stick to simple tokens or a handwritten greeting card.


6. Be kind to the nurses.
Understand why some can be cranky—long hours of tending to patients indeed take it’s toll. Take time to smile and say hello to the attending staff, the extra positive energy will be much appreciated.


7.  Mind your own space.
Patients can easily get cabin fever. Try to alleviate this by giving his/her enough personal space, especially for the bedridden. Sit on chairs or stand against the walls, never on the bed.

Previous Article: Japans award-winning anti-ageing formula

Next Article: 'mud' premiere during the 65th annual ca ...

LATEST FEATURES

'mud' premiere during the 65th annual ca ...

Celebrities leaving the martinez hotel d ...

Celebrity sightings during the 65th cann ...

With the aid of two nannies and a bodygu ...

Gary maitland poses during a photo sessi ...