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Patients > Inpatient Information > Hospital Routine

Hospital Routine

Being in the hospital can be stressful. Hospital care necessarily translates to having a lot of things done to you at what may seem like inconvenient times. You may feel like it is difficult to get rest because of the interruptions caused by necessary treatments and tests. It helps if you anticipate this busy caregiving schedule and understand that it is in your best interest.

Your daily routine may include some or all of the following:

Nurses or nursing assistants checking your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc.) at regular intervals. These same nurses may check on your pain and adjust pain medications, administer medications, give you a bath, change dressings or tend to your personal hygiene in some way.
One of our phlebotomist may draw blood for needed tests.
Respiratory therapists may help you with your breathing by using respiratory therapy equipment or administering oxygen.
Our dietitian may consult with you on your special diet.
A pharmacist or pharmacy technician may review with you the medications ordered by your physician.
Our physical therapists and occupational therapists may help you with strength and movement.
Social workers and/or discharge nurses may visit with you to plan your discharge.
Our environmental services staff will come to your room daily to clean and maintain your room.
Our food service personnel will visit your room at least three times a day to deliver the food you have ordered.

The morning routine starts early in the hospital. Because doctors need your blood tests to help decide your course of treatment, blood tests are often taken very early in the morning. In addition to blood tests, your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate and weight) are also taken early in the morning by the nurse or nursing assistant.

After you have a visit from the doctor additional tests may be ordered. This may mean you will leave your room for X-rays or other exams.

Hospitals operate on three shifts, so you should expect to see different caregivers on each shift. As the new shift comes on they receive a report from the former shift. You should expect them to introduce themselves to you when they come to see you for the first time.