HELOISE: Visiting a patient? Please be courteous

Dear Heloise: I volunteer at a hospital and have a few hints that might make visiting easier. Because of the privacy acts, we are allowed to tell you a room number only if you have the person’s exact name. Some hospitals list by the first name, and if a patient goes by his or her middle name, we might not be able to help. Patients should ask that they be listed by the names they use. (You also can request that this information not be given out. Heloise)

When sending cards, unless you know the person will be in the hospital at least four to five days, send them to the house. Some hospitals do not deliver on weekends, and most patients have gone home by the time a card would have reached them.

Don’t visit early in the mornings or right after surgery. Some days I have people come to visit at 8 a.m., and that’s too early for most of us.

A Reader, via e-mail

If a “friend” showed up at my hospital room at 8 a.m. without an invitation or asking me, I’d not be a very happy patient! Readers, your opinion?

Heloise

Dear Heloise: This is what I do when my doctor tells me to go to a specialist: I call, make an appointment and ask the office to send me the papers I need to fill out, and then have them ready when I get there. Not only that, I make copies of my insurance cards and driver’s license so they have this for their records. It saves me time, and they have all the information they need.

Vita, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I, evidently like many of your readers, was always losing my cell-phone charger. I placed an address label on my charger. Now, when it gets left at someone’s house or car, that person knows exactly to whom it belongs, and I have not had to replace another one since.

Carol, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I copied everything that I carry in my billfold (credit cards, driver’s license, etc.), both front and back. This came in very handy when I lost my purse.

Charlotte in Texas

Dear Heloise: When checking into a motel/hotel, I always pick up one of the business cards and write the room number on it. Having the card will help if you get lost in a foreign city and need directions, will remind you where you stayed and will give a phone number to call to ask about lost items or to make future reservations.

Jane, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I always hated peeling potatoes — it left a mess in my sink. I decided to try laying a paper towel in the sink before peeling. After peeling, I just fold the four corners, and cleanup is a snap. I thought your readers without disposals might appreciate this hint.

Cindy, via e-mail

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