Hospital care

Hospital care

1.17.7 When planning hospital care for people with severe or very severe ME/CFS:

• discuss with the person (and their family or carers, as appropriate) what to expect when they come into hospital
• aim to minimise discomfort and post-exertional malaise during transfer to hospital, for example by planning the route in advance, avoiding noisy areas and admitting them straight to the ward on arrival
• discuss the person's care and support plan with them, including information on comorbidities, intolerances and sensitivities, to plan any reasonable adjustments that are needed
• aim to provide a single room if possible
• keep stimuli to a minimum, for example by:
  • seeing them one-to-one
  • using calm movements and gestures
  • not duplicating assessments
  • being cautious about the pressure of touch
  • keeping lights dimmed
  • reducing sound
  • keeping a stable temperature
  • minimising smells.