HealthyLife Articles

Category: Medical Care

Reducing Presurgery Jitters

Medical Care

Knowing what to expect prior to surgery can reduce pre-operation stress and make you feel more comfortable.

* The hospital will have you sign a surgical consent form. Take the time to read it over. Ask your doctor any questions you may have.

* Expect a visit from the anesthesiologist or the surgeon (or both). They will review the surgical plans with you. This includes the time and length of surgery, estimated recovery room time, and the type of anesthesia being used. The anesthesiologist will need to know about any previous surgeries, any medical conditions, and any allergies to medications. Ask him or her what time you can expect to return to your room.

* Eating in the hours prior to surgery can cause life-threatening vomiting during the operation, so there are usually a prescribed number of hours prior to surgery when no food should be eaten. If a meal is brought to you, don’t eat it until you’ve double-checked with a nurse. It may be a mistake that could cause your surgery to be canceled. Your patient chart should read NPO or non per os (nothing by mouth).

* Depending on the nature of the operation, some surgical “preps” may be ordered. This may include a special liquids-only diet, cleaning and shaving of the surgical area, placing a catheter into the bladder, giving an enema, or putting drops into the eyes.

* A sleeping pill may be offered the night prior to surgery. Most people will feel anxious about the surgery and find the medication helpful. You are not required to accept it, however, and your patient chart should indicate your preference.

* Before surgery, give all valuables or possessions to a friend or relative. These would include jewelry, watches, and eyeglasses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Saving Money In The Hospital

Medical Care

Don’t stay in the hospital unless you need to! The daily hospital rate in some sections of the country is now as high as $1,000. And that doesn’t include the costs for treatments, medicines, or doctor’s fees. The hospital should never be viewed as a place to get a good rest. Consider these tips:

* Choose outpatient services whenever you can. Many routine lab tests, diagnostic tests and surgeries can be done for less money as an outpatient. You avoid the cost of an overnight stay in a hospital.

* As an inpatient, stay only the prescribed time that is necessary. Ask your doctor about home health care, which can provide a wide range of services at less cost than in a hospital.

* Beware of duplication of tests. Be sure to ask the doctor about what blood tests, X-rays, and medical procedures you can expect.

* Be sure you know when checkout time is and make plans to observe it; otherwise, you’re likely to be charged for an extra day’s stay.

* If your health problem isn’t an emergency, avoid being admitted to a hospital on a weekend. The hospital staff is reduced then, and testing will usually not begin until Monday.

* Same-day or ambulatory surgery is a big moneysaver when compared to inpatient surgery.

* Keep a list of all services you receive in the hospital. Ask for an itemized bill so you can make sure you are billed correctly.

Hospital Admissions

Arrange as much as you can before being admitted. Ask the following questions:

* Can you have the needed forms mailed to your home before being admitted? This will give you more time to review and complete them. Can you be “preadmitted” over the telephone?

* Is your insurance coverage well understood by both the billing department and you?

* Can you reserve a private or semiprivate room with your coverage?

* What identification will you need to have?

* Do you need special foods? If so, how can you arrange for them?

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Help Keep Costs Down To Size, The First Step Is To Organize

Medical Care

* Use a file box, 3-ring binder, or one of the many apps available to keep track of your health insurance information and health care expenses. Include up-to-date copies of your medicine log and personal and family medical records.

* Add medical bills, explanation of benefits (EOBs), and receipts for payments as you receive them. Add reports and lab results, too.

* Keep a running tally of expenses to see when you have met your deductible and yearly limits, such as for dental care.

* If you have a health flexible spending account (FSA), keep track of how much money you have left in it.

* Keeping good records helps you manage your bills, find billing errors, and be ready at tax time to claim medical expenses.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Review Your Patient Chart

Medical Care

Guess what every patient in a hospital has? No, we’re not speaking of those less-than-attractive hospital gowns or the plastic ID bracelets. The answer is a patient chart. Although the chart is legally the property of the hospital and generally kept at a nursing station, the patient should be aware of its content. Ask your doctor for an explanation. The chart may contain the following:

* Your medical history.

* Hospital laboratory results.

* Lists of medications (doses and schedules).

* Special treatments or therapy.

* Dietary restrictions or recommendations (low-sodium diet, for example).

* Scheduled diagnostic procedures (such as X-rays).

* Surgical notes (length of operation, assisting medical staff, type of anesthesia administered, recovery notes).

If you suspect a problem or error-in how often you are being given medication, for instance-ask a nurse or your doctor to show you your chart and explain what is written there.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
See Your “Primary” Doctor Before You See A Specialist

Medical Care

Internists, family doctors, and pediatricians are examples of primary care doctors. They give general medical care. If you are a member of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), your primary care doctor is the doctor you select from the HMO plan to be the “gatekeeper” of all your medical needs. This person could be a family doctor, internist, obstetrician/gynecologist, etc. Whether or not you belong to an HMO, call or see your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. If your primary care doctor cannot take care of your health problem, he or she will refer you to a specialist.

Doctors and Their Specialties

Common doctors and a description of their specialties are listed below.

* Allergist. Diagnoses and treats allergies.

* Anesthesiologist. Administers anesthetics that are used during surgery.

* Cardiologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

* Dermatologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases and problems of the skin.

* Emergency Medicine. Specializes in rapid recognition and treatment of trauma or acute illness.

* Endocrinologist. Diagnoses disorders of the internal glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.

* Family Practitioner. Provides total health care of the individual and the family. Scope is not limited by age, sex, or organ system.

* Gastroenterologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the digestive tract: stomach, bowels, liver, gallbladder, and related organs.

* Gynecologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the female reproductive system.

* Internist. Diagnoses and treats diseases especially those of adults.

* Nephrologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases and problems of the kidneys.

* Neurologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system.

* Obstetrician. Provides care and treatment of females during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and six weeks after delivery.

* Oncologist. Diagnoses and treats all types of cancer and other types of benign and malignant tumors.

* Ophthalmologist. Diagnoses, monitors, and treats vision problems and other disorders of the eye and prescribes prescription lenses.

* Orthopedist. Diagnoses and treats skeletal injuries and diseases of the bones and muscles.

* Otolaryngologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders that affect the ears, respiratory, and upper alimentary systems (in general, the head and neck).

* Pathologist. Examines and diagnoses organs, tissues, and body fluids.

* Pediatrician. Diagnoses and treats the physical, emotional, and social problems of children.

* Physiatrist. Provides physical and rehabilitative treatment of muscle and bone disorders.

* Psychiatrist. Treats and prevents mental, emotional, and/or behavioral disorders.

* Radiologist. Uses x-rays and radiant energy for diagnosis and treatment of disease.

* Urologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases of the urinary or urogenital tract.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026