12 Best Items to Pack for a Hospital Stay

Thanks for your help. I have been in a wheelchair for 43years. Got to help others if you are able I have tried to help others with my own advice from having been in hospital many times. The addition of thank you cards for the nurse staff as well as aLl who help remind ed me to share my gratitude. Cheers. Ron Henderson

i’m 55 almost 56 years old i got bad knees and my legs are starting give out im going to need a hip and or both knees replaced soon due to being almost 400 lbs for many years and being 6 feet 5 inches tall doesnt help i will require a 7-10 hostipal stay for recovery so i would want an iphone or ipad or chromebook

depends on if it is for mental heath issus if there is my mental health i bring my meds in the bottle and several outfits that are string free
if its for medical my blanket pillow and pills in the bottle

Also pa k bday wash or favorite soap and some body or moisturizing cream

I pack much of the above and a watch, thank you cards, a small note pac and my Bible. Music helps me a lot too.
I keep everything in a backpack by the door because I understand that I will most likely end up going quite often. I go solo so I have all that I might need to get through my stay. The hospital bed speaker has an earphone jack and I like to us that.
I stay connected through Caring bridge in and out of the hospital.

I wish I had some plastic or cloth bags that I could tie to the bed rail – to hold things within my reach. Sometimes workers would leave my table too far from my bed and I couldn’t get to it without setting off an alarm.

Hot chocolate packets, the broth packets from Romen noodles, my own spoon and cup, my favorite water bottle, my current cross stitch project, a portable DVD player and DVDs, my own night gown, socks and underware

Something I like to do is to make a “happy bag” for my daughter. I buy little gifts, usually on clearance, and store them until I know she is going to the hospital. then I put several of them into a small gift bag to give to her while at the hospital. Another thing I do is , if I know it will be and extended stay I have a stash of party , and/or holiday decorations that I use to decorate her room with to cheer her up with. It also works to make the medical team happier.

Bringing a prayer blanket or shawl is comforting and a great witness!

CPAP machine and mask wear.

As a nurse , having extension cords along the floor can be dangerous. Someone can trip over them and wheels of carts may have trouble crossing over them. A battery charger for your cell phone may be better. A sone hospitals you can’t plug a devise into a hospital outlet. Usually there is a red plate over these special outlets. Check with nurses.
There are many germs in hospitals, so all blankets, toys should be washed in between visits .
I hope people do ask before taking OTC meds! Very important and outside food too.
Put your name on every pillow , blanket , clothing or items from home because it can be stollen or mixed in with hospital laundry.
If unnecessary items can be sent home please do because there is less chance of loosing it and less clutter is better in a small hospital room.

All very great ideas. Worked in hospital 30 yrs and these are all wise ideas. If anyone is good at the tied quilts, crocheted blankets and or knit blankets they are made for patients who haven’t any family. Our church calls them prayer blankets. But it’s ok just to make and send them to the hospitals pastoral care. Nurses love them. It brightens their room and their outlook. The prayers work!!!! Music helps also. Download some favorites from one of the multiple sites for free. I want to emphasize that sick patients are not on a “vacation” so don’t stay to long. They need to rest. If they are sleeping NEVER wake them up. There are tons of interruptions from staff caring for them. So just sit quietly while they sleep. Plus family / take care of yourselves the sick person needs you to be healthy! Hospitals have resources please use them.

Also as a suggestion take things with you to the hospital like family pictures little items that help you feel comfortable and water as well as snacks so you can stay healthy while at the hospital. Thank you so much for giving good advice on what to take to the hospital when you need to go.

FOR THE PATIENT (pack everything in a small rolling suitcase–easier to move through halls, parking lots, and elevators)— C-Pap, iPhone, iPad (download movies), chargers, earbuds and/or noise-canceling headphones, toothpaste/brush, hairbrush/hair ties, lotion, lip balm, hand-wipes, dry shampoo or headscarf, eyeglasses case, small bedside lamp, meditation app, notebook/pen, “going home” outfit: soft, easy to slip on, pull-on shoes/sandals.

FOR SIGNIFICANT OTHER: ziplock for patient’s jewelry, wallet, and present medications (our hospital allows them), iPhone, iPad (download movies), chargers/battery backup, nose-canceling earphones, ziplock for patient’s medications, toothpaste/brush, hairbrush, eyeglasses case, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip balm, eye drops, sippy bottle, eye mask, soft cashmere shawl & beanie, meditation app, notebook/pen.

If it is for a child do not give them something too challenging Give them something a little lower and easier in effort than they would do when well This advice was given to me by a ward sister when my daughter spent a lot of time in hospital

Quality tissues and toilet paper. Lip moisturizer or chapstick. Hand cream. Slippers. My daughter has been in and out of hospitals for the past ten years. We now keep a “go” bag that fits neatly in the hospital locker. We always take a pillow and blanket (don’t use white pillow cases or blankets as they can get easily taken by mistake). I agree that most of this stuff is unnecessary for short stays, but her stays are typically 10-21 days. Lately, we’ve started packing the single serving hand held chicken noodle soups that go in the microwave, but we always comply with diet restrictions. So often the food she is served is unappetizing. Use good sense, comply with regulations, but if you’re a frequent flyer you know what your hospital allows or doesn’t. Lastly, don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose. Our last two stays, things were stolen and not by staff, but by “loved ones.” Sad.

Be careful not to bring anything valuable. My brother in law had his wedding band stolen while he was sleeping and sedated for pain.

A drawing tablet and fresh box of markers or crayons….at ANY age!

Feminine hygiene products. Hospital gear is not comfortable. Nail file or cutters.

Hoping all is well with Baby Ebert & Family!!!
Is there any updates on how he & Family are doing?
Love, Hugs & Prayers,
Kathy & Mike Houston
?

This was very helpful. Thank you. Great suggestions.

Just read earlier comments. Definitely bring sanitizer wipes, to help you and the patient stay free of any hospital-borne germs. Also, good idea not to bring blankets, etc. from home, unless you are careful about cleaning them when taking them home.

Don’t take your own bedding; the hospital is full of germs and you don’t want to bring any home. Most places don’t allow food brought from home into the room because they need to monitor what the patient eats.

When my dad was in the hospital we had some issues with noise, especially TV volume for the other person in the room. I got a bluetooth transmitter that plugged into the TV and noise canceling bluetooth headphones which not only blocked unwanted noise, but also allowed him to listen to phone, radio, audiobooks, TV, etc.

Don’t forget a hand mirror, nail file, nail clippers, a container/can of lightly scented (clean linen is nice) air freshener for the very small bathroom (you might have to share). Stay well!

I just thought of this!! Sanitzer wipes!!! For railings, phone, tv remote. You don’t know what germs can lurk or when it was cleaned last.

A bed jacket, or some soft top. Button front or zipper. Just in case you get cold.

This kind and compassionate article contains much poor advice, unfortunately. Many of the items suggested will be prohibited or unwelcome hindrances to caregivers. Others have detailed many of these.

A cooler may be permitted in your hospital room, especially if you have an extended stay, and if you have special diet needs. I was in hospital for 23 days, and even by the end of the stay I was astounded that I still occasionally received meals that were not good for me. I am celiac (must have gluten free foods), plus also a dairy intolerance. The kitchen would still on occasion bring me trays with wrong foods on it, so I was thankful my husband made sure to keep my plug-in cooler stocked with safe foods for me.

Always pack a notebook and pencil/ pens for writing down the names of those caregivers and doctors. Write down instructions AND questions!!

A gift for your nurse would be somewhat reasonable if you had the same nurse 24/7.

We brought a light, cozy bathrobe to wear over the hospital gown, long underwear, and hard soled bedroom slippers, a small prayer shawl to this over shoulders or lap, and vitamins.

Depending on oxygen use lip balm not be allowed. I agree with the below comments. Unfortunately I had an emergency hospital admit. recently where I needed to have an airway placed because I was barely breathing. At that time my necklace was removed and my diamond pendant was lost.

Keep valuable jewelry at home. Bring Pony tail holders, razor, lotion, baby wipes,