What is discharge planning

You, a family member, or a friend will have to call around to see which one you prefer. Things to think about when choosing another setting include:. Before you leave the hospital, talk to your nurse or other hospital staff about things you'll have to do at home.

Get information in writing about:. It's easy to think you can do everything, but it can be hard. If you feel you or your caregiver won't or can't do certain tasks, say so.

Try to make other arrangements. After you leave the hospital, the best way to benefit from your treatment is to take good care of yourself. Remember that you are the most important member of your health care team. Follow your doctor's instructions, which may include things like taking medicines as prescribed, getting needed exercise, or knowing how to take care of an incision from surgery.

Taking good care of yourself after you get back home is the best way to avoid a return trip to the hospital. Author: Healthwise Staff.

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What is discharge planning? It involves taking into account things like: follow-up tests and appointments your personal health goals medicines equipment rehabilitation, and more Ideally, discharge planning starts as soon as you are admitted to hospital. What is a discharge summary?

The discharge summary will explain: why you were admitted to hospital which tests were performed which medications you were taking when you were discharged from hospital which other medications you have taken in the past which medical or surgical procedures were performed whether you had any allergies or bad reactions which future services have been arranged Tips for a safe hospital discharge Here are some questions you could ask yourself before you are discharged from hospital: Do I understand what happened in hospital?

Do I understand which treatment I need now - and in the future? Do I know which medications to take and when? Do I have enough of those medications until I can see my GP? Do I know when my follow-up appointments are? Has my GP been informed of my admission and of my discharge plan? Do I need care from family members?

If so, has there been a family meeting? Does everyone understand their roles and responsibilities? Do I have transport arranged? Is the location convenient? Do I have transportation to get there? For longer stays: How many staff are on duty at any given time? What is the staff turnover rate? Is there a social worker? Do residents have safe access to the outdoors? Are there means for families to interact with staff?

Is the staff welcoming to families? Questions about medications: Why is this medicine prescribed? How does it work? How long the will the medicine have to be taken?

How will we know that the medicine is effective? Will this medicine interact with other medications? Should this medicine be taken with food? Are there any foods or beverages to avoid?

Can this medicine be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or mixed with other medicines? What possible problems might I experience with the medicine?

At what point should I report these problems? Will the insurance program pay for this medicine? Is there a less expensive alternative? Does the pharmacy provide special services such as home delivery, online refills, or medication review and counseling?

Have these appointments been made? If not, whom should I call to make these appointments? Where will the appointment be? In an office, at home, somewhere else? What transportation arrangements need to be made? How will our regular doctor learn what happened in the hospital or rehab facility? Whom can I call with treatment questions? Is someone available 24 hours a day and on weekends? Questions about finding help in the community: What agencies are available to help me with transportation or meals?

What is adult day care and how do I find out about it? Where do I start to look for such care? What services will help me care for myself? Does my family member require help at night and if so, how will I get enough sleep?

Are there things that are scary or uncomfortable for me to do, e. What medical conditions and limitations do I have that make providing this care difficult? Where can I find counseling and support groups? How can I get a leave from my job to provide care? How can I get a respite break from care responsibilities to take care of my own healthcare and other needs? We found 30 trials that compared personalised discharge plans versus standard discharge care.

Twenty of those studies included older adults. It may also increase professionals' satisfaction, though there is little evidence to support this. It is not clear if discharge planning reduces costs to the health services.

A discharge plan tailored to the individual patient probably brings about a small reduction in hospital length of stay and reduces the risk of readmission to hospital at three months follow-up for older people with a medical condition. Discharge planning may lead to increased satisfaction with healthcare for patients and professionals. There is little evidence that discharge planning reduces costs to the health service. Discharge planning is a routine feature of health systems in many countries.

The aim of discharge planning is to reduce hospital length of stay and unplanned readmission to hospital, and to improve the co-ordination of services following discharge from hospital.