What You Must Know About Navigating Hospital Stays

Let’s face it: hospitals can feel like a total black hole. You’re suddenly thrown into a world of medical jargon, needing to make decisions in an instant, and revolving door of hospital staff keep coming in and out of your room.

If you’ve ever had a loved one admitted—or you’ve been the patient yourself—you know the emotional rollercoaster of trying to get answers, make decisions, and not feel completely helpless.

In this week’s Fit Girl Magic Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Julie Siemers, a nurse with 40+ years of experience, and what she shared? Game-changing.

Here’s what every woman needs to know before the next hospital visit (because yes, it’s going to happen eventually).

You Can Speak Up (Even to Doctors)

One of Julie’s first tips? If you don’t see everyone who walks in your room wash/sanitize their hands, it’s okay to ask.

I know, I know—you might feel rude. But hospital-acquired infections are one of the leading causes of complications (and even death). And yes, you’re allowed to say:
“Hi Dr. Smith, can you please sanitize before you examine my mom?”
Boom. Done. Your voice just became a safety tool.

Know Who’s in Charge

If you’ve ever felt like you were playing a game of “Guess Who?” with the hospital staff, you’re not imagining things. There’s a pecking order, and Julie breaks it down like this:

Start with the nurse assigned to your loved one.
If you don’t get help, ask for the charge nurse.
Still nothing? Ask for the house supervisor (they’re there 24/7).
And finally—if needed—escalate to the administrator on call.

Don’t be afraid to push. You’re not being difficult. You’re being effective.

Take Notes (Don’t Rely on Memory)

Medical information changes fast. The average doctor’s training could be 15+ years out of date, and even with the best intentions, miscommunication still happens.

Julie’s advice?
Bring a notebook. Ask questions. Write. Stuff. Down.
Even if it’s awkward. Even if you feel weird. You’re not here to win a popularity contest—you’re here to protect someone you love.

Don’t Get Pushed Out Early

This one’s a biggie: patients are often discharged too soon.
Insurance companies and AI systems are now involved in those decisions (don’t get Julie started), and those systems aren’t factoring in that your 90-year-old mom can’t even stand on her own yet.

Advocate. Ask questions. And if something feels off? Say so.

Get the Paperwork Handled BEFORE You Need It

Julie’s top recommendation? Get a medical power of attorney for everyone in your family.
Your spouse. Your parents. Even your adult kids in college.

Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode and scrambling for permissions. It’s simple, it’s free (you can find templates online), and it could make all the difference.

Bonus: Check the Hospital’s Safety Grade

Before you pick a hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. You can see how hospitals near you rank—A through F—on patient safety, infections, surgical outcomes, and more.

Julie’s rule: never go to a D or F-rated hospital. Full stop.

Your 3 Magic Words: Be Present, Be Polite, Be Persistent

We wrapped our convo with Julie’s favorite strategy for making an impact:

✅ Be present—emotionally and physically
✅ Be polite—even when you’re frustrated
✅ Be persistent—because that’s how change happens

Oh, and her “cuss words”? They’re not what you think:

Concerned
Uncomfortable
Scared
Safety issue

Use them to get attention fast from medical staff. No actual swearing needed.

Bottom Line:

Your voice is powerful. You do have the right to ask questions. And when it comes to hospital care, silence is not golden—it’s dangerous.

Listen to the full episode with Dr. Julie Siemers [insert podcast link here]
Grab her book Surviving Your Hospital Stay
Download her FREE patient safety checklist in the show notes
And check out her TEDx Talk: How Not to Die in the Hospital

Because knowledge isn’t just power—it’s protection.

Links:
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Is Metabolism Tired AF? https://www.fitgirlmagic.com/metabolism-makeover-_podcast
Website: http://www.kimbarnesjefferson.com
Dr. Julie Seimers
Website; https://drjuliesiemers.com/
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