Surviving the Hospital: 5 Assumptions That Put Patients at Risk

When someone you love is in the hospital, you’re pulled into a world that moves fast, feels overwhelming, and often leaves you with more questions than answers.

After 35 years in and out of hospitals with my husband — including through his heart transplant — I’ve learned something important:

It’s not what patients don’t know that puts them at risk.
It’s what they assume.

So today, I want to share the five most common assumptions people carry into a hospital, why they can be dangerous, and simple steps you can take to stay safer, calmer, and more confident.

My goal is simple:
To give you information that helps you protect yourself and the people you love.

Let’s get started.

 
1️⃣ “The hospital is automatically safe.”
I wish this were true.
Hospitals are full of dedicated, caring people — but they’re also full of interruptions, emergencies, shift changes, and long hours.

Why it’s risky:
When we assume everything is safe, we stop paying attention to the little things that matter.

What you can do:
👉 Choose a “safety partner” or Independent Patient Advocate.
Someone who checks in, listens to updates, and helps you make sure nothing is missed.

You don’t have to do this alone.

 
2️⃣ “Everyone treating me is communicating.”
We want to believe this.
But multiple doctors, multiple departments, and rotating nurses mean communication gaps are common.

Why it’s risky:
Important details can get lost between shifts or between specialties.

What you can do:
👉 Start a simple “Hospital Notebook.”
Write down medications, instructions, questions, and anything you’re told.

You don’t need to be perfect — you just need a place to keep things together.

 
3️⃣ “The chart must be accurate.”
This was a hard lesson for me.
Medical charts are essential, but they are not infallible.

Why it’s risky:
I’ve seen outdated meds, missing allergies, and copy-paste errors — all things that could have changed outcomes.

What you can do:
👉 Ask to review the medication list — ALWAYS and EVERY TIME!
Just say, “Can we look at the meds together?”
Your voice is one of the most important safety tools you have.

 
4️⃣ “If something were wrong, they’d tell me.”
Not because staff don’t care, but because they are stretched thin.

Why it’s risky:
Updates may be delayed, or one provider may assume another has already spoken with you.

What you can do:
👉 Ask: “What should I expect next?”
This question brings immediate clarity about timing, next steps, and what you should be watching for.

 
5️⃣ “It’s rude to ask questions.”
This one breaks my heart because it’s so common.

So let me say this clearly:
Asking questions is not rude. It is responsible.

Why it’s risky:
Staying silent is exactly how mistakes slip through the cracks.

What you can do:
👉 Use this gentle, effective sentence:
“Can you help me understand this part a little better?”

Even the busiest clinicians respond well to a respectful, clear question.

 
A Final Thought
You deserve to feel safe, informed, and respected during a hospital stay.

And you don’t need medical training to protect yourself.
You just need the right tools — and the confidence to use them.

If this was helpful, I’d be honored if you shared it with someone who may need it. These conversations save lives.

Thank you for letting me walk this journey with you. Together, we can turn vulnerable patients into Hospital Heroes! 

Bio: Val Barshaw is the owner of Hospital to Health.  Her passion for advocacy is based on her husband's ten-year wait for a heart transplant and the 25 years of post-transplant care.  As a result of her experience, she can identify patterns that predict successful hospitalizations. 

Her new book, «Surviving the Hospital — Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Hospital-Secrets-Patient-Should/dp/1646458885.

To learn more about Val, visit her website at https://hospitaltohealth.com/#section-dKV18zsb_