Plan to leave before noon on the day of your discharge.


the Hospital Before


A successful recovery after your stay starts with a solid plan before you go.


CHECKLIST FOR


DISCHARGE Make sure you have the following information before you leave the hospital.


p After-visit summary. This includes why you were in the hospital, who cared for you, your procedures and medicines. Take this summary to your follow-up Primary Care Physician appointment for your doctor to review.


p Medicine list. This includes all your new and former prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements. Ask if there are any medicines you can stop taking or that are not good to take together. Also make sure you know why, how and when to take each one.


p Prescriptions. Have a plan to get your prescriptions filled upon leaving the hospital.


p Local resources. Ask your discharge planner for help finding local after-care services or other support groups.


p After-hospital services. Know how much support you’ll need in these areas:


n


Personal care: bathing, eating, dressing, toileting


n


Home care: cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping


n


Healthcare: taking your medicines, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, wound care,


injections, medical equipment


Try the teach-back method. Repeat back what you hear the discharge planner say to make sure you understand the details correctly.


25


p Follow-up care instructions. Beyond medicine, this can include:


n foods or activities to avoid n tests or appointments


n


how to care for incisions or use equipment


n warning signs to watch for n


daily living adjustments (like how to get into bed)


n who to call with questions


p Make a follow-up appointment with a Primary Care Physician or any other Specialty Physicians within 5-7 days.


You Leave


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