The Ultimate Hospital Bag Packing Checklist

What to pack when you are going to stay at the hospital largely depends on how long you will have to be there. It’s obvious that a one night stay will require less packing then being hospitalized for a week or longer.

What’s less clear is that people often pack too much not realizing they will be ‘out of it’ afterwards. The surgery, anesthesia and post-op medication may make you so sleepy, tired and unaware of what’s going on around you that you will not need most things you packed.

On the other hand, when it comes to personal hygiene and comfort, little things can make a big difference. For longer stays, also things to keep you busy and entertained matter.

In order to help you pack your bag before undergoing inpatient or overnight surgery here is an overview of all things you may or may not want to have with you once you are in the hospital.

Use these ideas as a checklist and decide for yourself what you are going to need and what not. Print it out and strike trough things you don’t need. Mark those items you’ve already packed so you know exactly what still needs to gathered.

The Ultimate Hospital Packing List

[ updated for the Coronavirus pandemic]

Paperwork

Picture ID card
Recent x-rays, MRIs, or other scan you have had done
Medical insurance documentation including your health insurance cards or Medicare and/or Medicaid cards
Documents requiring your doctor’s signature
Important phone numbers
Copy of power of attorney, living will and/or advance directive (if applicable)
Other preoperative documents (some hospitals keep these on file, others have patients keep these)

Tip: put all these essentials together in one folder that can be closed securely with a tie or snap closure to avoid the risk of losing these documents.

Medications

Prescription and non-prescription meds – in original containers
Your hospital may ask you to bring a list with name and dosage of all your current medications including prescribed, herbal, and over the counter drugs.
Recovery aids
Depending on the type of surgery you will get you may need assistive devices. Often these are provided by the hospital or recovery clinic. Sometimes people decide it’s beneficial for them to get their own aids up front.
Any crutches, braces, or other post-surgery aids.

Toiletries

Tip: pack the things you will use most in one toiletry bag and place it on your tray table so it’s always within easy reach.

Soap and shampoo are provided by the hospital but it can be nice to bring your own. Just by having a little bit of your own trusted products with their familiar scents can make you feel more comfortable.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
Dental floss
Shampoo
Conditioner, leave-in hair conditioner
Body wash, face wash
Bar soap
Moisturizer/ lotion
Deodorant
Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, etc)
Razors, shaving lubricant
Toilet paper – often better than what’s available at the hospital
Powder, foot powder
Tissues
Sanitary pads
Makeup – if you are feeling a bit more energetic you may feel like showering and putting makeup on to get ready for visitors
Nail clippers

Personal care items

A selection of the most basic needs when it comes to personal care.

Hair ties, clips and barrettes
Hair brush and comb
Lip balm – the air is often very dry in hospitals so packing a lip balm will be a must for many women
Mirror – in case you are still bedridden but want to check yourself for visitors or that hot doctor
Saline nasal spray – a dry nose may not only irritate but some people tend to get sick as a result
Licorice – you love it or you hate it. It is great for soothing your throat and as a quick source of energy.
Throat lozenges – another great throat soother.
Antiseptic wipes *– besides asking physicians and nurses to wash their hands another way of being proactive is wiping down surfaces such as the telephone and the TV remote control.
A bandana or shawl you can put in front of your mouth and nose to shield yourself from coughs and sneezes or heavy breathing by other patients in case there are no mouth masks available for patients.
Disposable gloves for when you’re touching door handles when going to the restroom or when you need support from the wall rails in the hospital corridor.

* With the current Covid-19 pandemic in full swing it’s even more critical to be vigilant regarding ones own personal hygiene as well as that of others. This includes medical personnel. Make sure to carry your own >70% alcohol spray bottle or wet wipes.

Clothes

If you have stayed overnight in a hospital before you probably know that hospital gowns aren’t the most comfortable garments. Packing some of your own comfortable clothing will help you get through. Items that you may want to pack include:

Nightgown / pajamas
Comfortable clothing such as sweat pants, comfy bra, loose shirts
T-shirt
Bathrobe
Fresh change of clothes / clean underwear
Slippers for showering or when putting on shoes is difficult or impossible
Tennies or shoes without laces
Clean socks

Getting around

When you are able to get up and walk around you will be glad to have packed the following items:

Cash and change – bring a small amount of cash which will allow you to purchase snacks, a newspaper or other things from the vending machine or hospital restaurant.
Slippers / Crocs – for walking the halls
A cap or hat – for walking the halls without having to fix your hair

Comfort

Earplugs/eye shades – sleeping well and taking naps contribute greatly to your recovery. Hospital lights and sounds may bother you so bringing something to cover your eyes and plug your ears during rest or sleep will help reduce stress and improve resting time.
Relaxation tools – a hot pack ( e.g. home made, a sock filled with beans or rice) can bring you instant pain or discomfort relief – you can easily warm it up in the hospital’s microwave. Other suggestions include: an electric massager, a stress reliever squeeze ball or other hand therapy tools for pain relief and recovery, soothing sounds or music on iPod or CD, aromatherapy candles/oils (in case you are in a single room) otherwise use a roll-on, massage oil or lotion.
Warm socks to wear under the non-skid socks provided by the hospital
Your own pillow, blanket or a stuffed animal can give you a soothing feeling in an environment of sickness, sterility and grief.
Photos of loved ones. Surgery and the recovery process afterwards with all its physical and emotional strains can be very demanding. Looking at a photo of your spouse or children may comfort you at the harder moments.
Your own favorite snack. We all know that food comforts. Bring some crackers, beef jerky, licorice, granola bars, fresh fruit, crackers, instant soup or whatever you fancy. Many hospitals will allow you to use their fridge to keep fruit chilled and have a microwave available to warm up food.
A white-noise machine in your room can help draw out the common noise in hospitals. Telemetry alarms, doors, telephones, and staff voices are much less of a nuisance with the help of such a device thus providing you with the rest you need so much right now.

Entertainment

Hospital stays can be pretty boring especially if you are confined to bed all day long. Some entertainment to pass time and keep your mind off of your condition and recovery can be of huge importance.

Books or magazines
Sudoku or crossword puzzles
Chess or checkers board and pieces
Cell phone
iPod, CD player or radio
Portable DVD player
Laptop or tablet
Something to write in, such as a diary or journal
Knitting or crochet necessities
Glasses if you wear them

Many hospitals ban the use of cell phones, laptops and other electronics. Cell phone use in particular is often prohibited since it may interfere with electronic patient monitoring equipment.

Check the hospital’s policy about electronic items before you pack your bag. Bringing a prepaid phone card will help you stay in close contact with family members and friends during your hospital stay.

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Chances are you have consulted your medical team about the non-prescription supplements you have been taking. You probably know which vitamins and minerals you are allowed to take after the surgery. Packing these can give your recovery a headstart.

Vitamin C is often used to enhance wound healing.
Probiotics are known to promote healing, reduce the harsh side effects of antibiotics, and diminish chances on hospital-acquired infections (HAI).
Foods that reduce inflammation, which is common after surgery.
Other supplements you normally take and are still allowed to take after having consulted your medical practitioners. And/or supplements that are known to improve recovery.

Specific bag packing lists

Your perfectly packed hospital bag will look slightly different when you’re going to the hospital for a C-section than for labor. In the first case you’ll want to pack things like nipple cream, a diaper bag, printed copies of your birth plan to name a few.

For a C-section or another surgery that involves a relatively large incision and thus scar you’ll want to pack some Medihoney wound dressings and silicone scar sheets to start proper wound and scar care as soon as possible.

Leave at home

Most hospitals will let you know during the admission process that they are not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings throughout your hospitalization. Therefore it is recommended to leave valuable items at home.

expensive watches
expensive sunglasses
credit cards
high-end jewelry
other valuables

How to print

In order to print this checklist, choose File, Print in your internet browser. Alternatively you could copy the text by selecting it with your mouse, then while selected press simultaneously the CTRL and C key. Then open a text processing program on your computer and press simultaneously the CTRL and V key. Now you can print from your text editing program.