Tips to help avoid a preventable hospital return

Patients too often leave the hospital without knowing how to care for themselves, leading to a preventable return. Here are tips to improve your chances of a successful recovery at home:

—Be sure you understand your illness and the care you received in the hospital.

—Ask if you will require help at home. Can you bathe yourself? Climb stairs? Will you need bandages changed or shots? If so, do you have a caregiver to help, or will you need to arrange a visiting nurse?

—Repeat back your care instructions, to be sure you understand them.