There are different types of routine hospital diets depending on why a person is hospitalized. There are low sodium diets, regular diets, soft diets and liquid diets.

Being in the hospital is very difficult. As a patient, a lot of things are done to you at inconvenient times and it can feel very much like you have no control. There are, however, some routines in the hospital that are predictable. Knowing these routines can help you feel a little less frustrated or confused.

Knowing who everyone is and what they are doing to help you is important. Taking care of patients takes an entire team of people working together. For each patient, there is at least one doctor. Often there are several doctors---one doctor for the patient’s main problem and other doctors to help or “consult." For example, if you had a surgery, you might have a surgeon but another doctor may help manage your heart or your diabetes. If you are at a teaching hospital, or university hospital, you will also be seen by doctors that are still learning the skills of their specialty. These are called resident physicians or intern physicians.

Doctors are only a small part of the healthcare team. Every patient also has a nurse who helps to take care of the patient. The nurses make sure each patient gets the correct medicines, helps patients with questions and concerns, and helps patients if the patient gets sicker. Many nurses also have assistances, called nursing assistants. Nursing assistants help nurses to take vital signs and help nurses bathe patients.

Healthcare teams may have many members. Respiratory therapists help with breathing machines, oxygen, and breathing treatments. Nutritionists help make certain patients are getting enough nutrition and pharmacists review medicines ordered by doctors to make sure they do