Be prepared

Making sure you and your loved ones have good medical care can be as simple as making sure you're prepared...

• for your clinic visit
  Whether it's for a health problem you've been wondering about or just a routine exam, there are steps you can take to be informed about your care.
• for your hospital stay
  Patients who take an active role in their health care can have better outcomes than those who don't.
• for after you leave the hospital
  There are a few things you need to think about as you plan your transition from the hospital.
• in case of an emergency
  It is important to have easy access to your medical information in case of an emergency.
• to make your health care wishes known
  Does your family know your medical care wishes in the event of an emergency or illness? You can eliminate all guess work by thinking in advance about the kind of care you would want if you were unable to make decisions on your own.

What You Need to Know About Surgery
This manual can help ease your mind about having an operation by letting you know what to expect before surgery and after surgery.