If having a sickly family member or a loved-one being admitted in the hospital is unusual, I guarantee that if it happens all of a sudden, it can cause panic especially if you don't have someone to depend on. Preparing for the things to bring can take time if you are not used to it. As an experienced hospital companion of a sickly family member, preparing for it takes me less than thirty minutes. My mom would always say whenever it happens, "Anak, kabisado mo na lahat ng dadalin, ha?"

Indeed, packing for things to bring in the hospital is quick and easy for me and it's not easier said than done unlike to some people. To help you ease your worries as you plan to admit a sick family member in the hospital, I have here a Hospital Bag Checklist for an Adult Patient.

• Patient's Valid ID
• Philhealth Card
• HMO card
• Cash
• ATM card

Make sure to bring your very own IDs and cash too. Unlike before, the hospital billing section will not ask you to acquire Philhealth's Membership Data Record (MDR), a form that shows your number of contributions from your employer. It is already available online. If you are employed, just in case that the record shows that your employer is non-compliant in remitting your Philhealth contributions, the hospital is going to ask you to acquire a Claim Signature Form (CSF) to be accomplished by your employer's Human Resource Department with an attached Certification of Philhealth Contribution. Hope and pray that your employer is compliant so that it will be less hassle for you.

• Pen
• A pair of scissors or Swiss knife

It pays to be ready when you need to fill-up or cut something.

• Bath soap
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Tissue Paper
• Wet wipes
• Cotton buds
• Shaver
• Nail cutter
• Comb or hairbrush
• Foot powder/spray (to keep your feet dry and non-sweaty)
• Deodorant
• Rubbing alcohol
• Facial wash (optional)
• Baby Oil (optional)

• Moisturizer
• Lotion
• Lipbalm

Staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time makes your skin and lips dry. Keeping them moisturized all the time is a must.

• Feminine wash, sanitary pads, and panty liners 
• Small makeup kit

If you and the patient are females, sickness or taking care of the patient should not hinder both of you to look good and fresh during the entire stay. Your makeup kit must have the basics: tinted lip balm, moisturizing lipstick, tinted moisturizer or pressed powder, brow comb, facial skin care aids, etc.

• Medicine kit (multivitamins, any existing maintenance medications) including a thermometer

• Hot pack
• Urinal or bedpan (if you already kept the one you purchased from a previous hospitalization)
• Small basin 
• Extra blanket or pillow (if the hospital allows)

Bring your own so that you avoid paying an extra charge. If the patient is under a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), miscellaneous items are not included in your privileges.

• Electric kettle 

It's very useful especially when the room bathroom has no heater. You can also heat water for the hot pack.

• Hand Soap preferably liquid soap with dispenser
• Dishwashing Liquid and sponge
• Detergent

• Lysol/Disinfectant 

This is very important when the patient is highly contagious. You may use this to disinfect your bathroom/toilet/sink.

• Towels (2pieces) 
• Face Towels (2 pieces)
• Hand Towel
• Kitchen towel (to dry the dishes)

I recommend AquaZorb or microfiber towels because they are absorbent and very easy to dry. You may wash them with detergent at night and hang them to dry inside the hospital room and surely they become dry overnight.

• At least four sets of comfy clothes (basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments, underwear, trousers/pants/shorts)

Bringing four sets of comfy clothes for you and the patient is already good for a week or less. Just in case that you stay in the hospital for too long, most hospital peripheries have coin-operated laundromats where you can load, leave, and get your clothes for washing for at least one and a half hours. Why do I recommend bringing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments? Aside from being cool and comfy, x-ray machines detect buttons and embellishments. The radiological technologist will not instruct the patient to take off his or her shirt when he or she is wearing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments.

• Slippers

Use slippers while staying inside the hospital room and your shoes when you go out. It lessens the possibility of acquiring nosocomial infection and bringing in more dirt and germs from the outside.

• Plate, fork, spoon, bowl, cup, reusable food container with a lid (at least 2)

Bringing your own reusable food containers, plates, and utensils are handy for leftovers or when you order food from the hospital canteen or nearby food stores to lessen waste disposal.

• Crackers
• Bread
• Granola bars
• Fruits
• Potable Water

You will become very busy as the patient is admitted. Having your own food (those who doesn't stale easily) and water with you at the moment can keep you nourished and hydrated. Most hospitals have their own hot and cold water dispensers in their respective nurse's stations but it is best to have your own potable water with you. I don't recommend that you bring energy drinks, coffee or caffeinated drinks to keep you awake. Drink lots of water instead or do some stretching exercises when you feel lethargic. Please refrain from bringing salty, too sweet, or junk food. You have to keep yourself healthy by eating the right food and rest while the patient is resting or sleeping to regain your strength.

• Cellphones
• Chargers
• Powerbank
• Extra prepaid load 

Means of communication must be ready all the time.

To organize your things per category, you may use pouches or zip locks to locate them easily. For bulky items that won't fit pouches and zip locks, you may place them in huge eco or reusable bags. Place all these except IDs and other personal items (make-up kit, tissue, wet wipes, cash, ATM) in one to two huge bags. Refrain from bringing a lot of small bags to carry because you are assisting a patient. Bring two extra eco or reusable bags to have something to use to place your dirty clothes, even if you plan to have them laundered in the nearby laundry shop or just to store them, and items when you have a quick trip to the supermarket, drugstore, or market when you already lack supplies. 

Take note:

• Bringing travel-sized items saves you from carrying bulky and heavy bags. 

• It is expensive to attend to a sick relative or family member but doesn't ever, ever settle for anything less. Buy food from a reputable source and liters of purified water from the nearby convenience store or supermarket to avoid getting sick too and creating more problems.

• Purchase medicine from a reliable drugstore in case that the hospital doesn't carry the specific brand that the doctor prescribed. If you are under an HMO, request for a "special purchase" because all the medicines prescribed except multivitamins which to be consumed within the patient's period of confinement is shouldered by the HMO. It saves you from spending more.

• The tips that I've mentioned above is made specifically for patient companions who have no relatives or someone to depend on. Like for example, your husband gets hospitalized, you have a very young child to take care of and nobody is going to do that for you, make sure to bring his clothes and needs, a few of his favorite toys or books to keep him busy while you do your wife duties.