OUR SERVICESIt is important that the person being discharged from the hospital has the opportunity to communicate requests and questions to health care staff. It’s also important to make sure that any changes to the health care routine are understood clearly.
Here are some guidelines to follow during discharge planning:
- Let the hospital know who should be included in discharge planning meetings, and make sure those people are included in all discharge planning meetings.
- Be prepared with a pen and paper to keep notes in all discharge planning meetings.
- Bring important phone numbers with you to each discharge planning meeting. (for example, the health insurance plan, treating physician(s), pharmacy)
- Write down the names and phone numbers of the hospital staff involved in the discharge plan, for future reference.
- Read all discharge forms in the company of the discharge staff. Ask an appropriate health care worker for answers to any questions you have.
- If you have any doubts about the level of care, or feel the supports needed after discharge are not being met by the discharge plan, voice your concerns before the discharge. Ask about alternative options.
- Be sure that the discharge team has spoken to the treating physician(s) about any significant health care treatment changes and/or decisions.
- Be sure that any new support services (such as home care staff, equipment, medications) have been coordinated with the health insurance plan.
A list of resources is available here.