Yeah, and I have a relative that always says that someone always needs to be with a patient in the hospital “just in case” (and obviously, this was one of those situations where that was so...).
I believe that too... that someone should always be there with a patient in the hospital and be up on what is going on, at all times...
I spent 2 1/2 days this week at St. Josephs hospital in Tacoma with my mom. The only time I left the room was to go down to the cafeteria for a quick bite. I got to doing so many things for my mom I told the nurses I was going to send the hospital a bill! However, I was VERY impressed with all the staff at St. Joes. Would definitely choose this hospital if I ever needed major surgery.
A person really does need an advocate for their care (almost at all times nowadays - sometimes even at doctor’s appointments) — the stress of being ill (even if it should be relatively minor) really does get in the way of decision making on the part of the patient, IMHO. At the very least that someone is there to remember what you might not.
As you said - someone who cares needs to be there at the patient’s side for them, even if they CAN still talk and make decisions just for the sake of helping them, and just in case they end up not being able to make them.