When you’re admitted to a hospital, there’s an expectation that you’ll receive treatment, recover, and go home. But sometimes, complications occur — and they need to be talked about.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What hospital complications are
- How they affect your recovery
- What hospitals do to prevent them
- What you can do to protect yourself
A hospital complication is any unexpected issue that arises during your stay and can interfere with your recovery. These can include physical symptoms like pain or nausea, as well as risks like infections or blood clots. While many complications are preventable, they require awareness and proactive care.
When you’re in the hospital, your usual routines change. You’re likely eating different foods, getting less physical activity, and spending more time in bed. Your body is made to move — and prolonged immobility can lead to a host of problems.
To reduce risk, hospitals implement preventative measures. These can include medications you may not normally take, equipment you’re unfamiliar with, and routines that might seem strict. Understanding why they’re used can help you feel more comfortable and in control.
Falls are one of the most serious complications during hospitalization. They can cause injuries that significantly delay recovery. Nurses and care teams take falls very seriously — and for good reason.
About 700,000 to 1 million patients fall in U.S. hospitals each year, with one-third resulting in serious injury.
(Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – AHRQ)
Important: If a patient falls, even if they try to get up alone, the nurse is held responsible. That’s why you’ll hear repeated instructions: “Don’t get out of bed without help.”
Pain is common in the hospital, but it’s complex and personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Managing it well requires open communication between you and your healthcare team.
Up to 86% of hospitalized patients experience pain, and over half rate it as moderate to severe.
(Source: The Joint Commission)
Related Post: Check out our full article on Pain Management in the Hospital — what to expect, treatment options, and how to speak up for yourself.
Stress, medications, and changes in diet can lead to increased stomach acid and reflux. Hospitals often prescribe acid-reducing medications like Protonic to prevent stress ulcers.
Approximately 75% of critically ill patients develop stress-related mucosal damage within 24 hours of ICU admission.
(Source: NIH/NLM)
Tip: If your nurse mentions a medication you don’t recognize, don’t hesitate to ask, “What is this for?”
Lying in bed for long periods slows your circulation, increasing the risk of blood clots. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — and it can be life-threatening.
Hospital-associated DVT and pulmonary embolism cause over 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
(Source: CDC)
SCDs (Sequential Compression Devices): These sleeves inflate and deflate to mimic leg movement.
- Anticoagulants: Medications like Lovenox, Heparin, or Coumadin thin the blood to prevent clotting.
Tip: If you’re mobile enough to sit in a chair or walk with assistance, ask your nurse if you can remove the SCDs during the day.
Bed sores happen when constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin, usually over bony areas like the tailbone or heels. These are painful and slow to heal.
About 2.5 million patients develop pressure ulcers annually in U.S. hospitals, contributing to nearly 60,000 deaths.
(Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
There are several ways to help prevent bedsores. You can reposition frequently, tell the nurse if you feel a raw area. Nurses will be checking your skin frequently and using a barrier cream as needed.
Constipation is often overlooked in hospitals — but it’s a big deal. Limited movement, new medications, and dietary changes can all contribute.
Constipation affects up to 50% of hospitalized patients, especially the elderly and those on pain medications.
(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)
Your nurse may ask about your last bowel movement, but don’t assume they’re tracking it closely. Speak up if it’s been more than two days.
Use our Constipation checklist for more ideas
Check out our full post on Hospital Constipation: Causes and Fixes
Nausea can be incredibly uncomfortable and hard to ignore. It can affect your entire day, making communication with your care team essential.
Nausea is a common side effect of many hospital medications. Fortunately, treatments like Zofran or Compazine can help.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) affects 20–30% of surgical patients, with rates as high as 80% in high-risk groups.
(Source: American Society of Anesthesiologists)
Pro tip: Ask for anti-nausea medication as soon as you feel symptoms — don’t wait until it’s severe.
I have seen this all too often in my patients. Patients come into the hospital with a regular schedule and activity level. A week later they can barely get out of bed. Don’t be frustrated. Expect to need recovery and go slow.
Even healthy people can leave the hospital feeling weak. Being in bed for days slows your metabolism, reduces muscle mass, and can make simple tasks feel exhausting.
Hospitalized older adults can lose 5% of muscle strength per day of bed rest. (Source: NIH / Johns Hopkins Medicine)
Expect recovery to take time. Go slow, ask for help, and gradually build your strength back.
Hospitals are not restful places. Alarms, staff, lights, and noise all interfere with sleep — but good rest is essential for healing.
Over 40% of hospital patients report poor sleep due to noise, interruptions, and anxiety. (Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine / Sleep Health)
Tips to improve sleep in the hospital:
- Use earplugs or white noise apps
- Ask for a “quiet time” order if available
- Practice breathing or meditation exercises
- Some sleep interruptions are unavoidable. Know that nurses try to keep these to a minimum. Talk with your nurse about sleep friendly solutions.
What you can do to reduce complications:
Speak up
- Stay mobile
- Ask questions
- Track symptoms
- Follow prevention tips
Hospital complications are common, but many are preventable. Understanding what they are and why they happen can help you stay proactive in your care. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, speak up, and participate in your recovery.
Thanks for being here. The Art of Being Ill is a space we’re building together, and I’d love to hear from you. If something here resonates, please like, share, comment, or email me — your voice matters.
Stay tuned for related posts on:
- Preventing Falls in the Hospital (coming soon)
- Pain Management (coming soon)
- Wounds (see blog)
- Constipation (see blog)
- Sleep (coming soon)
