Checking It Out

When You’re Checking In

How to

Make

Your

Hospital

Stay a

Good

One

by Bethany Broadwell

For plenty of people, the desire to be released from the hospital is urgent the minute they slip on their admission wristbands. Those with neuromuscular diseases, however, often find they require more hospital care than the average person, so making the experience as smooth and comfortable as possible is important.

Hospital patients who recognize their needs and communicate them to the medical personnel on duty are most likely to be safe and satisfied with their treatment. Eating, toileting and positioning are fundamental areas where extra precautions may be necessary.

Make Sure They Know You

Anita (Amy) Ashdon, 38, for example, estimated she’s been admitted to a hospital more than 20 times since 1990. In most instances, Ashdon, who has spinal muscular atrophy type

2, needed intravenous antibiotic treatments for infections. She’s also been hospitalized for sleep studies, a broken femur, temporary organ failure and other reasons.

Ashdon, of Walpole, Mass., usually goes to Children’s Hospital Boston, which has pediatric-sized equipment geared more to her petite size.