HospitalStayReady

What to pack, what to ask, and how to get through a hospital stay with less stress.

What it is

HospitalStayReady helps you and your family get organized before, during and after a hospital stay. It gives you printable checklists, question lists and planning sheets. It does not give medical advice.

Meet Claire, the HospitalStayReady Specialist. Ask Claire a question in your own words and get an answer in plain language, in text for free and by voice for members. Everything on the page can be read in about 30 languages.

What you can research here

• What to pack for a hospital stay
• Questions to ask the care team before discharge
• Inpatient vs observation status: why it matters
• How to organize a medicine list for the hospital
• Help with a hospital bill
• How to plan a safe trip home after a hospital stay

Free tools, ready to use

• Hospital Stay PacketA one-stop starter packet you can print.
• What to PackA checklist for planned stays.
• Question SetsFive short sets of questions you can ask.
• My Question SheetWrite your own questions and what you were told.
• My Medicine ListA list you type yourself, from your own labels.
• Family & Helper PlanWho helps with what, and what you are OK sharing with each person.
• Inpatient or Observation?Why it matters and what to ask.
• Going-Home QuestionsQuestions to ask before you leave.
• Is Home Ready?Practical, non-medical things to arrange before or right after you leave.
• Follow-Up Task ListTasks from your care team.
• Official Help & SupportOfficial places to look for help with questions and bills.

Members get even more

Members unlock a deeper set of tools, and a personal file you can save and bring back any time. A few of them:

• Stay Notes
• Allergy List
• Unresolved Questions
• Discharge & Home-Readiness Tracker
• Follow-Up & Appointment Planner
• Family Handoff Packet
• Stay Summary

What you can achieve

• Pack and prepare with a printable checklist
• Ask the care team better questions
• Keep medicines and contacts organized
• Plan who helps, and who is told what
• Know your options on observation status and bills
• Check that home is ready before you leave

HospitalStayReady helps you get organized. It is not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.