Packing your hospital bag a few days before admission avoids last-minute stress and unnecessary trips back and forth for loved ones. The principle is simple: pack light, but pack only the essentials. Each hospital provides a list in your admission file, and this list is the primary one; this checklist helps ensure you don't forget anything essential and leave anything unnecessary at home.
New: The Recovery Binder , 10 practical illustrated printable sheets (checklists, planners, letter templates, budget) to organize everything in one place.
The papers, in a separate pouch
This is the most important part of your suitcase, the one you'll be asked for upon admission. Gather the following in a rigid folder: your identity card, health insurance card and supplemental insurance certificate, the appointment letter or admission file, your current prescriptions and a written list of your medications, the results of any tests requested by the team (blood tests, imaging), and the anesthesia questionnaire if you received one. If you have a designated trusted person, write their contact information on a piece of paper and place it in the same folder.
Clothing: comfort above all
- One pair of pyjamas or a nightgown per day is recommended, easy to put on (buttoned in the front if the operation involves the upper body).
- A dressing gown or a warm cardigan for the hallways
- Closed, non-slip slippers that are easy to put on without bending over.
- Cotton underwear, loose-fitting if the operated area requires it.
- Comfortable clothing for going out, suitable for the operated area.
Toilet and hygiene
A simple kit is all you need: toothbrush and toothpaste, mild soap, shampoo, deodorant, brush or comb, tissues, lip balm, and shaving supplies if necessary. Add a towel and washcloth, as some facilities don't provide them. If you wear glasses, contact lenses, or a dental or hearing aid, bring their cases labeled with your name: it's the best way to avoid losing them between your room and the operating room.
The little extra that makes all the difference to your stay
A phone with its charger (preferably with a long cable), headphones, something to read or a crossword puzzle, a small nightlight if you have trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, and earplugs: hospital wards are rarely quiet. A notebook and pen are useful for noting down instructions given during visits, questions to ask, and announced schedules.
What you should leave at home
Jewelry, watches, valuables, and large sums of money should be left at home: hospitals generally decline all responsibility in case of loss and require the removal of jewelry and piercings before surgery. It is also unnecessary to bring medications from your personal pharmacy without informing the hospital staff: bring your current medications in their original packaging and give them to the staff upon arrival; they will manage your medication intake during your stay.
The day before departure
- Review the list provided by the facility and the fasting instructions from the anesthesia team; these take precedence over everything else.
- Check the paper folder one last time
- Charge your phone and inform the person accompanying you of your admission time.
- Also prepare for what awaits you upon your return: our Return home checklist takes care of it
Each situation is unique: the exact list depends on the procedure and the rules of your facility. If you have any doubt about an item or treatment, a call to the department that receives you will resolve the issue in two minutes.
