Here’s What I Keep in My Hospital Go-Bag

By the author of How to Prep When You’re Broke

This is a subject I never imagined I’d become a pro at, but I’ve become an expert…

In going to the hospital.

(Yuck. 🙁 )

The last time I was there was in quick succession after the time before that, and it inspired me to put together a grab-and-go backpack for those many trips to the ER that my condition seems to necessitate.

The purpose of the bag is to get me through 24 hours in comfort, without the need for my family members to race around looking for my things back at home.

One reader suggested my bugout bag, but this is quite different. I don’t expect to need things like water filtration devices, rainproof matches, or a sturdy survival knife when admitted. I won’t be preparing my own food over a quick fire in my room. (Not to mention, most hospitals send people through a metal detector upon entry.)

Here are the things I keep in my hospital go bag, separated by category. None of this is medical advice, and some of it is definitely against hospital regulations. This is just what I do, not what I’m telling others to do.

Hydration

There’s plenty of water at the hospital, but I really prefer to drink it from my own water bottle that keeps it cold rather than the hospital’s paper cup and straw. I also like to keep some little electrolyte packets on hand – why not work hand in hand with the IV that is hydrating me?

• Insulated water bottle
• Electrolytes

I also keep one full sealed water bottle in my bag just in case it takes a while to get drinks.

If you ask, they probably won’t let you have a drink in the ER. I just don’t ask, which I’m not advising – this is just the way I do it after way too many visits to the ER in the past six months. I walk in with a water bottle in my hand and keep sipping.

If you’re throwing up or have some kind of intense pain that may end up being surgical, you should not drink anything until you’re diagnosed. That’s really important.

Skin

The air in the hospital is so dry. I always end up with terribly chapped lips and skin that aches for moisture by the second day.

• Lip balm
• Moisturizer (I get high-quality moisturizers from TJ Maxx to stash away – I’m not picky about the brand)
• Lotion (I don’t bother with a trial size – my daughter and I both slather it on after using the harsh hospital hand soaps)
• Foot care (I swear by this product)
• Vaseline (for dry places not succumbing to my other lotions and potions)

I feel absolutely miserable without these products on hand. If I’m already feeling awful, why feel worse when it’s super easy to bring this stuff with me?)

Hygiene

I like to have familiar hygiene products on hand – it just makes things more pleasant to have your own stuff.

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body wash (travel size)
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Hair product (I use one with rose oil that smells good and keeps the frizzies away)
• Makeup wipes
• Body wipes (For the first couple of days when I’m too sick to stand in the shower, I like the no-rinse kind)
• Other body wipes 
• Shower cap

Passing the time

Once I start feeling well enough that I’m not just sleeping constantly, I’m usually desperate for something to do. I also keep some simple entertainment items in the bag

• Fiction book from my TBR stack (to-be-read) by a favorite author.
• Crossword puzzle book with a pen clipped to it
• Word search book with a highlighter clipped to it
• Ziplock bag of markers and a coloring book

Personal medical contraband

This one is controversial, but I’m of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” medication philosophy.

• I always have two days of prescription medications. The hospital usually provides them, but if it takes a while to get admitted and it’s important not to miss a dose, I’m glad I have it.
• Tylenol (If they have to get the admitting doctor to add it to your chart, the wait for pain relief could be a long time. I’m always really careful that I’m not taking anything that will interfere with medications the hospital has given me.)
• Antacids (I hate how they dole out one Tums and make you wait hours for a second one – have they ever actually HAD heartburn? One Tums?)
• Arnica gel (for those nasty needle bruises)
• Cough lozenges (that dry air again)
• Inhaler

Other things

• Extra phone cords (one for me and one for my daughter)
• Extension cord with USB ports (there’s never one close enough to the bed for me to use my device while it’s charging and trying to sprint for a ringing phone while attached to an IV pole is an Olympian event I didn’t sign up for.)
• Snacks (My diet is super-limited from gastroparesis, so I keep tummy-friendly snacks in case the hospital food disagrees with me)
• Extra reading glasses
• Jammies (I keep something super soft, loose, and comfy in my bag)
• Small rechargeable fan (I always feel like I’m having a heatstroke at the hospital – this one doesn’t take up much space and charges with a USB cord – if you are a person who runs cold, add a sweater instead)
• Headband and scrunchies (Hospital hair isn’t pretty, but these can help. My long-haired gals can testify to the importance of a hair elastic of some type.)

How I pack it

I use different sizes of bags for each of the little “kits” above. Cosmetic bags or even large ziplocks will work to keep your items organized and easy to find. The exception is my books and the fan, which I slide into a pocket that was meant for a laptop.

I don’t need a huge backpack for this, but hospital stays are so much easier now that we can just grab one thing and go. When it looks like the stay will be longer than 24 hours, my daughter goes home to collect clean clothes, my laptop (with charger), and a squishy lapdesk.

Oh – and don’t forget a pillow from home with a nice, soft pillowcase – it feels like a luxury when compared to those flat little hospital pillows.

What about you?

After four stays in six months, I feel like a pro. Do you have a hospital go-bag for any member of the family? What do you keep in it?

Let’s discuss it in the comments section.

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