2
q
MyHealth.grh.org:
Your personal health record online—register today!
to avoid a return visit
to the hospital
5
STEPS
Sources: AARP; Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality; Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services
“BACK SO SOON?”
These probably aren’t the words you hope to hear when you’re being admitted to a hospital, but many
patients find themselves readmitted shortly after they’ve been discharged.
Grande Ronde Hospital is working to reduce readmissions—when discharged patients return just weeks
or months later for the same health condition or a related one. And there are steps you can take to avoid
making that round trip too. Often, it comes down to knowing how to take good care of
yourself when you go home, experts say. These tips may help you avoid a return visit to
a hospital bed or the emergency room:
5
Find the support you need.
Ask about classes or programs at the
hospital or in the area that can help you
learn to live better with a health condition.
The help you’re looking for might just be a
question away.
• •
• •
4
Who you
gonna call?
Ask the hospital staff
what problems (like
a new or worsening
symptom) to watch
for and what to do if
you start to get into
trouble. Write down the
name and number of
the person to call if you
have any questions or
concerns about your
condition.
2
Don’t be a stranger.
Make an appointment
to see your primary care provider or the
physician who specializes in your condition—and
follow through. Do the same with any lab work or
other tests you need. You can request a follow-up
appointment online with your MyHealth account.
1
Speak up!
Before you leave the
hospital, make sure you understand
your discharge instructions and what you
can do to stay well. If any aspect of your care
isn’t clear, ask the staff to explain it until you
are confident you understand. Be sure to get
written instructions as well.
3
Get to know your
meds.
You may leave the
hospital with new medicines
to take, along with your
usual ones—it can be a lot to
juggle! Always make sure you
understand when and how to
take your medications. And
keep all of your doctors up-
to-date on everything you’re
taking, including vitamins,
herbs, prescription medicines
and over-the-counter remedies.
A personal health record (PHR)
is a good place to keep your
records current. MyHealth is
Grande Ronde Hospital’s free
online PHR.
