In most cases, the decision to admit a patient can be made in under 48 hours, and many times in less than 24 hours, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Hospital costs for admitted inpatients are covered under Medicare Part A after the patient pays a deductible ($1,216 for 2014). But observation care is considered an outpatient service, and Part A doesnât cover such services.
Using an ice or cold pack Apply an ice or cold pack to the injured or sore area at least 3 times a day for as long as you have pain, swelling, and inflammation. For the first 72 hours, ice for 10 minutes, once an hour.
How to use cold and heat packs after surgery? A typical household method is to use a bag of frozen peas. It is often advised to apply ice or cold packs to injured areas for no more than 20 minutes at a time, waiting for 10 minutes before reapplying. Some surgeons also recommend to not apply cold or heat for 24 hours after the first 48 hours of application.