5 Tips for Hospital Discharge Planning

Medical condition

Make sure you fully understand your injury, illness or condition. Try to have a helper there with you to take notes or use your phone to record your doctor or nurse explaining it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request further clarification. If English is not your first language, you can ask for language help.

Medications

Before leaving the hospital, you'll probably receive information about new medications. It's a good idea to have a list of all the medications you already take, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs and supplements. Go over this list with your doctor when discussing any new prescriptions. Ask about how to use them and their side effects. This helps make sure you get the right dosage and avoid harmful interactions between medications.

Planning

Once you get home, you may need special medical equipment such as a hospital bed or a walker. To check what equipment is included in your coverage, you can review your plan's Evidence of Coverage. Be sure to schedule for any equipment to be delivered to your residence, and plan any other necessary logistics before you're discharged to help with a smooth transition from the hospital to home.

Follow-up care

You’ll probably need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician (PCP) within the first 30 days after discharge. This visit is important for monitoring your recovery and updating your treatment plan. Make sure to ask when and how the hospital will communicate with your doctor. Also, things like physical therapy or occupational therapy might be necessary. Be sure you know who to contact to set up your first appointment(s).

Lifestyle instructions

Are there any changes you need to make to your diet or activities you should avoid? Also, ask your care team if you’re ready to perform daily tasks like bathing, dressing, using the bathroom alone, cooking and cleaning, as well as driving to the market, pharmacy and doctor’s appointments.