A stay in the hospital used to be a pretty simple thing. Patients went in when they were sick and left when they were better. Today, a hospital stay is much more complicated. Patients leave the hospital with ever more complicated conditions.
Hospital 101 provides information about preparations that patients need to make before arriving at the hospital. Most importantly, the workshop examines important considerations that need to be addressed before and during the discharge process.
Among the issues discussed will be who goes to the hospital and why, what doctors don’t know, the distinction between “admitted” and “observation” and creating a discharge plan that patients can realistically follow.
“As anyone who has been a patient knows, going into the hospital is a very complex process,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Discharge looks much different as patients leave with significant care needs, complex instructions and assumptions about their ability to recover. Patients and families need to prepare.”
Hospital 101 is a free, informational workshop designed to provide essential information about a hospital stay. A primary goal is to prevent patients from returning to the hospital because of complications arising from poor planning at the hospital or in the home.
The free workshop will be held four times.
• March 11 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Pierce County Annex Main Meeting Room, 2401 S. 35th St, Tacoma
• March 11 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Gig Harbor Library Meeting Room; 4424 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor
• March 12 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Puyallup Library South Conference Room; 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup
• March 13 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
County-City Building, 7th Floor Rainier Conference Room; 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma
This event is sponsored by the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center. The ADRC is a starting place providing unbiased, free and easily accessible information, referral and assistance regarding disability services and long term care in Pierce County. The ADRC is available by calling (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.
