1. Evaluation of Inpatient Progress:
At the time of discharge, it is essential that medical staff take the time to evaluate a patient's progress since admission to the hospital. This includes a comprehensive review of the treatments and medications used, response to treatment, any adjustments that were needed during their stay, and an overall assessment of their current condition.
2. Discharge Planning Meeting:
It is important to have a meeting between the patient, their family or guardians, and all applicable healthcare professionals involved in the treatment plan prior to discharge. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page with regard to the care plan and patient goals.
3. Establishment of Post-Hospital Goals:
Once discharged from the hospital, it is essential for patients to set realistic goals for themselves when returning home. These goals should be geared toward achieving optimal physical and mental health, as well as functional independence if possible. Healthcare providers should work closely with patients and their families to develop a personalized goal plan that incorporates any necessary follow-up appointments and treatments, changes in lifestyle and diet, and identification of any community resources or services needed to help reach goals.
4. Review of Medications and Treatment Regimens:
Prior to discharge, it is important for healthcare providers to review all medications that were used during the hospital stay and discuss how they should appropriately be continued once out of the hospital. This includes all prescription medications as well as any over-the-counter drugs that may have been used. Healthcare professionals should also review any treatments or procedures that were conducted during the stay and make recommendations for follow-up visits if necessary.
5. Arrangements for Home Monitoring Systems:
For some patients discharged from the hospital, it may be necessary to establish a home monitoring system in order to track their progress and monitor any potential changes in their condition. This could include setting up medical equipment, such as a continuous glucose monitor or a blood pressure cuff, that sends data back to the healthcare team for review.
6. Appropriate Transportation Arrangements:
When patients are discharged from the hospital, it is important to ensure that they have safe and appropriate transportation arrangements in place to get them home or to any follow-up appointments they may need. Depending on their current health status, this could require arranging for a family member or friend to provide transportation, utilizing public transportation options, or securing alternative means of transport such as wheelchair vans.
7. Follow Up Appointments with Specialists:
For some patients, it may be necessary for them to make follow-up appointments with specialists in order to continue their care. This could include physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional counseling, or any other type of specialty care that is needed. It is important to ensure that these appointments are scheduled prior to discharge and that transportation arrangements are made if necessary.
8. Placement in a Rehabilitation Center:
For some patients, it may be necessary for them to transition into a rehabilitation center once discharged from the hospital. Healthcare providers should make sure that all appropriate paperwork is completed prior to discharge and that arrangements are made for the most suitable placement option.
9. Referral to Community Resources or Other Services Needed:
It is important for healthcare providers to refer patients and their families to any community resources or services they may need once discharged from the hospital. This could include home health care, respite care, meal delivery services, or any other type of support that is available in the community and would be beneficial to optimize the patient’s recovery process.
10. Communication between Hospitals and Other Providers:
Finally, it is important for healthcare providers to ensure that the necessary communication between the hospital and other providers or services will take place prior to discharge. This can include contacting primary care physicians or home health care agencies to ensure that they are aware of any changes in a patient’s condition or treatments while in the hospital. It can also involve sending out electronic medical records so that all involved parties have access to up-to-date information about the patient’s care.
