A stay in the hospital used to be a pretty simple thing. Patients went in when they were sick and left when they were better. Today, a hospital stay is much more complicated. And patients leave the hospital with ever more complicated conditions.
“Hospital 101,” a free informational workshop sponsored by Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), provides information about preparations that patients need to make before arriving at the hospital. Most importantly, the workshop examines important considerations that need to be addressed before and during the discharge process, officials said.
The free workshop will be held four times in March:
• March 11, 12:10-12:50 p.m., Pierce County Annex main meeting room, 2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma
• March 11, 7-8 p.m., Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. NW., Gig Harbor.
• March 12, 7-8 p.m, Puyallup Library, 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup.
• March 13, 12:10-12:50 p.m., County-City Building, seventh floor Rainier Conference Room; 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma.
Among the issues discussed will be who goes to the hospital and why, what doctor’s don’t know, the distinction between “admitted” and “observation,” and creating a discharge plan that patients can realistically follow.
ADRC, an information, referral and assistance system for disabilty services and long-term care in Pierce County, can be reached at 253-798-4600 and 800-562-0332.