EngagedPatients.org provides checklists and practical guidance for patients and families navigating hospitalization or surgery.
The Empowered Patient Coalition, a nonprofit organization, publishes the website. Much of the content is by Julia Hallisy, a dentist and author of The Empowered Patient.
Resources include the Hospital Guide for Patients and Families and the following lists and checklists:
Surgery
> Meaningful informed consent
> Safety in outpatient (ambulatory) surgery centers
> Surgical patient checklist
> Questions to ask a surgeon after a procedure
> Safe post-operative pain management
> Home care after surgery
Hospitalization
> Who do you call? Getting help in a hospital
> Working with the hospital staff
> Inpatient communication form
> Important questions for your hospital care team
> Warning signs of a rapidly declining patient
Patient Safety
> Keep your hospital room safe and clean
> Ventilator-assisted pneumonia
> Signs of sepsis (severe bloodstream infection)
> Recognize and prevent surgical site infections
> Prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections
> Recognize and prevent blood clots
> Prevent pressure ulcers (bed sores)
Discharge
> Preparing for discharge
> Transfer to skilled nursing facilities (SNF)
Reviewed October 2025