“I am thrilled to go to the hospital!” said no patient ever — unless they are at nine months and counting.

America averages 37 million hospital admissions a year and more than 15% of patients (65 or older) returned to the hospital within 30 days of their previous visit. What this means for patients and family caregivers is a lot of coming and going to/from the hospital.

While some medical facilities have extended their focus on patient-centered care to include aromatherapy and smart TVs, these examples remain the exception, not the rule. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers are designed for function, not comfort. A hospital is not a fancy hotel. A hospital is designed to get patients well enough so they can go to a fancy hotel.

Even with these limitations, there are still opportunities to reduce patient stress and make the environment just a little more comfy.

Enter: The Hospital Go Bag.

Think of this like your carry-on bag for the hospital experience. Keep it packed and stored in an easily accessible place. This way, when hospital frequent flyers makes another trip, all patients and caregivers need do is grab and go before heading out on the next wellness adventure.

Step #1 — Choose the Right Bag.

I recommend a medium-sized bright colored bag, with handles, and a zip top closure. Tag the bag with the patient’s name.

During your patient’s stay at the hospital, this bag will likely be stowed away in a closet or or nightstand next to the patient’s bed. You’re not dealing with a lot of room here. Choose a bag that can be smooshed into something size of a large desk drawer.

The bright color is important because patients are sometimes moved to different rooms during their hospital stay. A member of the hospital staff will be dispatched to assist the patient with transport. Hospital staff members are not professional movers; they are busy professionals in the business of making people well. Having a patient be able to say: “Put everything you see in the orange bag in the closet, please” makes things easier for all involved.

Said bag is then typically stowed on the back of a stretcher or wheelchair while the patient is transported to a new, exciting destination. Sometimes the ride can get a little bouncy (hello, zip top!). The staff member will then settle the patient and his/her stuff at the new destination. The bag’s bright color makes it less likely to be forgotten in transit. The name on the bag helps if it is.

Step #2 — Pack It Up.

The Essentials

1. Phone charger for the patient’s phone. This should be a duplicate, not one the patient uses to charge the phone at his/her house. This is because there’s a very good chance the phone charger will be forgotten at the hospital. There’s nothing worse than getting though discharge day, getting the patient settled back at home, only to realize the only charger that works on the patient’s phone is still plugged at the hospital. I also recommend getting the longest possible cord you can for the charger.

2. Power extension cord. In some instances, this may be against hospital policy. But, I went the “forgiveness versus permission route” and never once were censured. (I also avoided unplugging important stuff, like, the heart monitor.) An extension cord became a permanent addition to the Hospital Go Bag after a few rounds of hospital stays with my mother-in-law. Sometimes my husband and I would be unable to reach her for a day or more. The behind-the-scenes was that her phone was running out of charge. It was difficult for her to move and bend, so she could not reach the electrical outlet. Hospital staff would be happy to plug the phone into the wall when my mother-in-law asked. But then, once it had a full charge, she would be unable to get to it. To solve this problem, we ran an extension cord from the wall to her bed and wrapped it around the guard arms (similar to what is often done with nurse call buttons). The system worked beautifully. My mother-in-law was able to charge her phone herself and didn’t have to bother hospital staff to do it for her; we were able to stay connected with her. A win all around!

3. Pen and paper. In this age of multiple specialists treating a single patient, you’ll often have a bunch of medical professionals stopping by for consultations. Because the patient is busy trying to not die, he/she may not be in a position to be the most attentive listener. The pad is for the patient to take notes and/or the doctor to write down relevant information, such as his/her name and contact information.

4. Glasses case, dentures holder, hearing aid case, etc. Make sure this is labeled with the patient’s name. For certain procedures, including x-rays, CAT scans, and the like, the patient is going to need to take off his/her medical “stuff.” Having a dedicated place to put it prevents stuff from getting lost. We learned this the hard way after my mother-in-law’s tooth bridge was carefully stored in a paper cup that was then accidentally tossed in the garbage. No one wants to have to get new glasses or new teeth when they’re ailing. Bring your own cases with you, so nothing gets lost.

5. Hand sanitizer or hand wipes. Hand sanitizer is readily available to medical professionals, caregivers, and visitors. However, for patients, a wall-mounted dispenser (or a sink with soap and water) may feel like miles away to them. So how is a patient going to wash his/her hands before tucking into that totally delicious, hospital-supplied turkey sandwich? Bring Your Own Sanitizer (BYOS) ensures the patient has easy access to clean hands.

Optional

• Headphones. These come in very handy if your patient plans to watch movies or TV shows on a mobile phone or pad. They also come in very handy to drown out the sounds of a snoring or surly roommate. Buy a duplicate pair to keep in the Hospital Go Bag.

• Book or magazine. For patients not into technology, keep a book or magazines(s) in the Hospital Go Bag to help keep them occupied while the IT staff works on getting their TV turned on.

• Slippers or flip flops. At some point, hospitals will want to see the patient get up and move around. Many hospitals supply those fleece socks with treads on the bottom to keep tootsies warm and prevent falls. Some patients may want or need more foot support. (Case and point: I am wearing orthotic slippers while writing this.) If your patient can’t make do with hospital socks alone, pack a permanent pair of hospital slippers in the Go Bag.

• Blanket. Hospitals can be cold. Sheets can feel scratchy. A fleece blanket can make bed more cozy or can be rolled into a pillow to make the sleeping experience a little more restful. For my husband, we used a fleece blanket pattered with bright-colored stars his hospital stays during his wait for organ transplant feel just a bit more like home. But, there’s an important caution here: When that blanket comes home with your patient, it will be covered in germ-laden nasties. Throw it in the washing machine and dryer, on the hottest settings possible, immediately upon arriving home.

Speaking of germs, here’s a good tip for all Hospital Go Bag Items: Speaking of germs, it’s a good practice to clean with anti-bacterial wipe or spray any items the patient brings home with him/her. When the patient is discharged, make sure to give everything — from cell phone, to glasses, etc. — a thorough wipe down.

Step #3 — Take Home What You Don’t Need.

After your patient gets settled in his/her new temporary hospital or rehabilitation center digs, take home whatever they won’t need. Bringing home the patient’s winter coat, purse, wallet, car keys and other stuff will help keep the room clean and clear for hospital staff and also prevent important items from getting lost.

Another expert tip is to bring home the patient’s clothes, socks, shoes, etc. Then, on/before discharge day, you can return with more comfortable, slip-on items that will be easy for them to get into before hitching a ride home with you.

My sincere hope is that you and your loved ones will never need a Hospital Go Bag. But, if you do, may it help make your stay away from home a little easier.