What to Pack for an Unexpected Hospital Stay
When someone says, "We need to go to the hospital," that is not the moment you want to start searching for your medication list, insurance card, doctor's number, or phone charger.
A hospital go bag is not just about what you pack.
It is about having the information someone may need when you are stressed, sick, injured, or unable to answer easily.
If you are accompanying or caring for the person going to the hospital, see What Should a Caregiver Bring to the Hospital?.
On this page
If You Have Five Minutes, Start Here
Take:
- Identification
- Insurance information
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Current medication information
- Allergy information
- Emergency contacts
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other essential personal items
- Any information the hospital has specifically asked you to bring
Do not delay urgent medical care because you are trying to finish packing.
Someone can bring nonessential items later.
Information That Is Worth Having Ready
Keep an updated record of:
Emergency contacts
Who should be called?
Doctors
Who is your primary physician? Which specialists are involved in your care?
Pharmacy
Where do you normally fill prescriptions?
Medications
What do you take, how much, and when?
Allergies
What are you allergic to, and what reaction have you experienced?
Insurance
Where is your current insurance information?
Important health information
What would a healthcare professional need to know if you could not easily explain it yourself?
What to Put in the Bag
Depending on your circumstances and what the hospital recommends, practical items may include:
- Identification
- Insurance card
- Phone and charger
- Eyeglasses
- Hearing aids and storage
- Dentures and storage
- Comfortable clothing for discharge
- Basic toiletries
- Written medication list
- Emergency contact information
- Notebook and pen
- Questions you want to remember
Ask the hospital before bringing medications, valuables, medical equipment, or other special items.
The Question Most People Forget to Ask
What would someone else need to know if I could not answer for myself?
Would they know:
- Who to call?
- What medications you take?
- What you are allergic to?
- Who your doctors are?
- Where your insurance information is?
- Whether someone at home depends on you?
- Whether pets need care?
- Where important healthcare information is kept?
The person supporting you may need a plan too.
If a family member or caregiver is helping you during the hospitalization, "What a Family Caregiver Should Keep in One Place" can help them keep medical, contact, medication, and household information organized so they can step in more easily.
Questions to Take With You
Hospitals can move quickly. Write questions down as you think of them.
You may want to ask:
- What happens next?
- Who is overseeing my care?
- Are tests or procedures planned?
- What should I understand about my medications?
- What should I watch for?
- What needs to happen before I can leave?
- Who should I contact with questions later?
Before You Go Home
Before discharge, make sure you understand the instructions provided by your healthcare team.
Ask:
- Were any medications changed?
- What medications should I take now?
- What symptoms should prompt me to seek help?
- What follow-up appointments are needed?
- Are there activity restrictions?
- Are there wound-care or equipment instructions?
- Who do I call with questions?
- Where are my written discharge instructions?
If you do not understand something, ask again.
When to Bring in a Professional
Questions about symptoms, medications, diagnoses, tests, treatment, medical devices, discharge instructions, or when to seek emergency care belong with qualified healthcare professionals.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact emergency services or seek appropriate emergency medical care.
Remember This
You do not need a perfectly packed hospital bag. You need the information and essentials that are hardest to find when everything suddenly becomes urgent.
Prepare them while life is calm.
This resource is not medical advice and does not replace your physician, hospital, pharmacist, emergency services, or another qualified healthcare professional. Never delay necessary medical or emergency care to complete a checklist or prepare a hospital bag.
Important Information
Crisis Navigations provides educational and organizational information to help you identify questions, organize information, and prepare for potential next steps. This resource is not medical, legal, financial, tax, insurance, mental health, or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for guidance from an appropriately qualified professional.
Every situation is different. Information that applies in one circumstance may not apply to another. You are responsible for determining what is appropriate for your circumstances and when professional assistance is needed.
If you are experiencing a medical, safety, mental health, or other emergency, contact the appropriate emergency service or qualified professional.
Please review our for complete information about the scope and limitations of Crisis Navigations resources.
Want This Information Ready Before You Need It?
The Hospital Go Bag Planner™ helps you organize what to pack, what information to have ready, who may need to be contacted, questions you want to remember, and what someone supporting you may need to know.
Explore The Hospital Go Bag Planner™