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You can also ask the staff to put your IV in a spot on your arm where it won't irritate you or trigger an alarm every time you move, Bartick says. And if you need help going to the
bathroom, arrange for assistance before you settle in for the evening. "If you don't make it to the bathroom [in the middle of the night], then it becomes this whole big thing that
you need your sheets changed in the night, then the whole night is disrupted,” Bartick says. “So make sure you plan ahead for bedtime routines.” Finally, a blanket from home or your own set
of pajamas can aid in better sleep and may help prevent delirium. It's common for older adults to “get confused in the hospital at night,” Bartick says. “So having familiar objects is
really helpful.” ASK PEOPLE TO WASH THEIR HANDS At any given time, about 1 in 25 hospital patients have an infection related to inpatient care, government data show. These infections can
lead to serious illness and death. To prevent an infection during your stay, make sure all the people who come into your hospital room — visitors and hospital staff alike — wash their hands
when they enter. And if they don't, you have the right to ask them to do so, O'Brien says – especially if they are touching you or your bed. This includes doctors and nurses. Your
health care provider may also recommend removing central lines and urinary catheters sooner, rather than later, to reduce the risk of infection. Often, this is met with reluctance from
patients who worry they won't be able to get up every few hours to use the bathroom, O'Brien says. But “the sooner we remove those devices, the less risk of introducing an
infection via that piece of plastic,” she says. UNDERSTAND (AND FOLLOW) DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS By the end of your hospital stay, your focus may be on getting home as fast as you can. But
don't rush through your discharge instructions. Knowing what to do when you get home increases the likelihood that you'll be able to stay there. If you are confused about
something, ask for further explanation, O'Brien says. And clarify whether you need to make a follow-up appointment or the appointment has been made for you. Be sure you understand your
medication instructions, including any changes that were made to the medications you took before being admitted. The hospital's pharmacist is a great resource for drug-related questions
and may even be able to fill your new prescriptions before you leave. Lastly: Make sure you have an after-hours number in case you need help unexpectedly. “If you have a fever, you have
chest pain at 2 in the morning, you need to know who you can call after hours,” O'Brien says.