Being hospitalized is a process no one wants to go through, though at times it is inescapable. Our body can only handle so much that sometimes a stay becomes inevitable. Should such a scenario occur for you, here are a few handy essentials you’ll need during your stay.

Clothes
Depending on how long your stay might take, you’ll need a good amount of clothes to keep dressed throughout your stay. Sometimes, for severe cases, the hospital will provide a specialized gown for the patient to wear. These often allow an easier caring process for nurses and doctors. If so, the clothes will be necessary to change into once you’re ready to leave.

Blankets and pillows
While hospitals may already provide these for the patient, the one guarding over the patient will have to bring their own. Depending on the size of the room, you can bring small neck pillows or a normal-sized pillow for comfort. A blanket can provide warmth and comfort.

Hygiene essentials
Things like soap, wet wipes, alcohol, toothpaste, and other items that are often included in hygiene kits are an absolute must for a hospital stay. Your surroundings are filled with potentially infectious patients, it’s vital to be clean at all times. If your room doesn’t have a shower, prepare hand towels that can be used for a sponge bath.

Important devices 
Bring along any phones and laptops that you feel should be around you at all times for access to any important documents you might need to show. Chargers or power banks are also essential to ensure these devices remain fully-charged at all times. It can also be handy for keeping in touch with the outside world, updating friends, family, and colleagues about your current condition. For those with lighter illnesses, it can also provide some much-needed boredom busters and entertainment when passing time.

Updated medical records
Having a list of any prior physicals or of any current medications you’re on can help speed up your recovery process. These will allow doctors to pinpoint any possible irregularities and diagnose medications that won’t interfere with any current meds you’re on. You might also be able to save up, as having your updated medical records might waive the need for certain tests or extractions, depending on what your doctor says.

Water and food
Depending on the hospital, water and food may not always be provided. For those without such provisions, it would do well to buy large water containers. For food, check first if there are any restrictions for the patient. Often, the reason hospital food is provided is that the meals are tailor-made to ensure the patient receives a balanced amount of nutrition or is on a special diet to not interfere with any medications or due to possible dietary restrictions implemented by the doctor. Always be sure to check what the patient can eat and drink.

Money or credit/debit cards, HMO information
Perhaps the hardest part of being a patient in the hospital is the costs. Often, tests done on patients are paid for separately from the lodging provided by the hospital. Patients might also have to see certain specialists for certain diagnoses. Depending on the hospital, medications might also have to be purchased separately from a pharmacy. These costs tend to rack up; you’ll need to have access to your funds or your HMO information to ensure these are all taken care of.