Hospital Checklist Form

Having a checklist of things you need to do and things you need to bring with you for a vacation, or when planning a big event, can help ease the worries of leaving something behind.

The same is true when you are preparing to go to the hospital. Having a hospital checklist form (you can get a copy by clicking here) with items you should take with you, what you should leave behind, and things you might want to bring with you, can help ease the stress associated with packing for the hospital.

Each item on this hospital checklist is there for a very good reason. For a complete explanation of why to choose some items and not others, click here. For example, hair dryers and electric shavers should be kept at home for safety reasons. Hospitals have strict safety codes. Each electrical item used in the hospital must be cleared for safety. While you may feel comfortable with your electrical devices, they may not clear the high hospital standards.

Cellphones can interfere with cardiac monitoring devices and should be left at home. Other items which should be left behind are Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), and hand-held gaming devices. Why? Because they can become damaged or lost. Remember, your healthcare team is watching out for your health and safety, not the health and safety of these devices.

Hearing aids, glasses and dentures can be tricky items. They should be on the list of "things to bring with you" but, they too can be lost. Hearing aids in particular can easily fall out while you are sleeping and become lost. Be sure to keep these items in large containers that are kept in a safe place!!!

When you leave the hospital (or move to a different room), make sure that what is on your list gets packed and goes with you. If you would like to see the other items on the list, please feel free to print a copy of a ready-made hospital checklist form!

Please note, you must have Adobe® Reader® on your computer to view these forms. If you do not have this software, and would like a free copy of it, please click

now.

What Sort of Items Do YOU Find Useful, or Not?

Now that you've read my thoughts on how to use a hospital checklist and the things to take, what do you find that you need when going to the hospital? What things get lost too easily, or never are used?

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