Written by Anna Bullough

Are you or a loved one getting ready to leave the hospital? 

It’s important to understand the hospital discharge process. This is when you’ll be able to leave the hospital and continue your recovery at home or at another facility. 

Knowing what to expect can help make the transition smoother and easier for everyone involved. 

So, let’s dive into what hospital discharge means and why it’s important to understand the role of home care after hospital discharge.

What Is Hospital Discharge?

When you’re ready to leave the hospital after receiving treatment, it’s called hospital discharge. Discharge planning is available at most hospitals to help you understand your injury or illness, and the steps you’ll need to take next, such as taking medicine or caring for a bandage. It’s important to follow the instructions you’re given and ask for help if needed to ensure a smooth and successful recovery at home. Your healthcare provider and discharge planner are there to answer any questions you may have.

Why Might I Need Hospital Discharge?

When you leave the hospital, it’s called hospital discharge. Your healthcare team will discharge you once you no longer need a high level of medical care. Even if you leave the hospital, you may still need care for your medical condition. Hospital care is expensive and uncomfortable, and staying too long can expose you to infections. So, once you start getting better, it’s best to transition to care outside the hospital. This might mean going to a skilled nursing facility, a rehab facility, or receiving home care. Your healthcare providers will oversee your continuing care, no matter where you go. They will also give you instructions to follow to help prevent problems and ensure your recovery.

Preparing for Hospital Discharge

As you near the end of your hospital stay, it’s important to start preparing for your discharge to ensure a safe transition of care. Proper preparation can help you reduce stress and anxiety, and feel more confident and in control of your recovery process. 

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for hospital discharge:

1. Ask Questions

Before you leave the hospital, take the time to create a list of questions to ask your healthcare team. These questions can help you better understand your condition, medications, and follow-up care. Make sure to ask about any concerns or questions you have, no matter how small they may seem.

2. Get It in Writing

During your hospital stay, it can be overwhelming to try to remember all of the information that your healthcare team shares with you. To help you remember important details, consider taking notes or asking for printed information. This can include instructions for medication management, follow-up appointments, and any lifestyle changes you need to make.

3. Ask for an Interpreter (If Needed)

If English is not your first language, it’s important to ask for language assistance to ensure that you fully understand your medical care and instructions. Many hospitals offer language interpretation services, including over-the-phone or in-person interpretation.

4. Get Help

Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have a plan for transportation and any extra help you may need at home. This may include arranging for a family member or friend to drive you home, or arranging for home health care after hospital discharge if you require additional support during your recovery.

By taking these steps to prepare for your hospital discharge, you can help ensure a safe and successful transition of care. Remember, your healthcare team is there to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to ask for help or guidance along the way.

Hospital Discharge Process

When you are discharged from the hospital, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the process. From the criteria for discharge to post-discharge care, here are five key elements to keep in mind.

1. Criteria for Discharge

When it comes to leaving the hospital, your healthcare team will carefully evaluate your physical and mental health to determine if you’re ready to head home. 

Factors they may consider include: 

• being stable enough to continue your recovery outside of the hospital
• having someone available to care for you, and 
• having any necessary medical equipment or medications.

2. Role of the Discharge Planner

A discharge planner is a friendly healthcare professional who can help you make a smooth transition from the hospital to home or another facility. They help arrange for home health services, medical equipment, and medications. Also, they can provide you with good information about community resources for more support.

3. Importance of Understanding Your Injury or Illness

Understanding your injury or illness and the treatment you’ve received can be essential to manage your recovery at home. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes during your stay at the hospital. Your healthcare team can provide you with information about warning signs to watch out for and when to seek medical help.

4. Understanding the Next Steps and Post-Discharge Care

Your healthcare team will provide you with instructions on what you should do after leaving the hospital, such as taking medication or attending follow-up appointments. Make sure you understand any restrictions on physical activity or diet. It’s also important to ask about any possible side effects or complications to be aware of. Your team will also inform you about any necessary medical equipment and how to obtain it. They will discuss what you can expect at your new facility, if you’re not going home. 

5. Identifying Who to Contact If You Have Questions or Problems

Before you leave the hospital, it’s important to make sure you have contact information for your healthcare provider, the hospital, and any other healthcare professionals involved in your care. Ask about who you should contact if you have questions or concerns about your recovery or if you experience any unexpected symptoms.

As you prepare to leave the hospital, remember that your healthcare team is there to help you every step of the way. By understanding the discharge process, working with your discharge planner, and staying informed about your health and care, you can ensure a smooth transition to recovery at home. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek support as needed, and know that you have a network of resources available to help you on your journey.

Transition of Care

When you leave the hospital, you may need additional care to continue your recovery. This is called the transition of care. It’s important to understand this process so you can make informed decisions about your health.

Types of Facilities for Continued Care

There are different types of facilities that can provide continued care after you leave the hospital: 

• A skilled nursing facility is a place where you can receive around-the-clock medical care from licensed healthcare professionals. 
• A rehab facility is a place where you can receive therapy and rehabilitation services to help you regain your strength and independence. 
• Assisted living facilities are places where people can live who can generally care for themselves but may need some assistance with daily activities.
• A hospice care facility gives people with terminal illnesses care and support in a peaceful and comfortable environment.
• Palliative care facilities provide medical and emotional support to people with serious illnesses.
• Long-term acute care hospitals provide care for patients who require an extended stay and more intensive care than a traditional hospital can provide.
• Outpatient rehabilitation centers provide rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, on an outpatient basis.
• Home care is when a healthcare professional comes to your home to provide medical care.

Understanding the different types of facilities available for continued care can help you make an informed decision about your post-hospitalization care. By knowing the options and what they entail, you can work with your healthcare team to choose the best facility for your specific needs and preferences.

Following Healthcare Providers’ Instructions

Following your healthcare providers’ instructions is crucial for a smooth transition of care. This includes: 

• taking medication as prescribed, 
• attending follow-up appointments, and 
• following any dietary or physical activity restrictions. 

By following these instructions, you can help ensure a successful recovery.

Risk of Being Discharged Too Early

An unsafe discharge can occur when the patient discharge is cleared without a proper home care plan for discharge from hospital in place. This can happen when there is a lack of coordination between the hospital and community health services, leaving the patient without help after hospital discharge. There are several problems associated with an unsafe discharge, such as:

• Early discharge: If the patient is discharged too early when they are not medically fit, it can lead to emergency readmissions and seriously compromise the patient’s well-being, and in the worst-case scenario, it may even lead to death from potentially avoidable causes.
• Lack of mental capacity assessment: If the patient is not properly assessed in terms of mental capacity before leaving the hospital, it can lead to readmission or confusion at home.
• Lack of involvement of loved ones: Sometimes, the patient is discharged without involving their loved ones in any decision regarding aftercare at home, which can lead to an unsafe discharge.
• Delayed discharges: Keeping a patient unnecessarily at the hospital because of unavailability of care after leaving the hospital can lead to muscle degeneration and loss of muscle strength. Such “delayed discharges” are also unsafe.

Here are some steps you can take to ensure a safe and smooth transition back home:

• Plan your homecare: Discuss your loved one’s situation with the treating team and the care provider you have chosen. Make a proper plan that covers all aspects of your loved one’s care, with the advice of the health care professional and after hospital care provider, in order to anticipate challenges and for effective implementation of the plan, so as to avoid any adverse outcomes.
• Recognize the important role of family and caregivers: Family and caregivers are an important part of the healthcare team and their opinions should be included in the hospital discharge care plan.
• Ensure robust communication between hospital and community-based service providers: Coordination and communication between the hospital and community-based service providers should be strong so that the patient gets the care they need.
• Understand transitional care services and policies: Before leaving the hospital, transitional care services and policies should be well-understood by the patient and their family.
• Ensure availability of nursing care after discharge: Liaison with district nurses can help ensure the availability of nursing care after discharge from the hospital.

To avoid an unsafe discharge, it’s important to plan ahead and ensure that all aspects of your loved one’s care are covered. 

Transitioning from a hospital to a continuing care facility or home care requires careful planning and communication between healthcare providers, patients, and their families. By following instructions and advocating for your own care, you can know what to do after being discharged from the hospital. And you can create a smooth transition and ideal outcomes for your recovery.

Caring for Yourself or a Loved One After Hospital Discharge

Whether you’re being discharged from the hospital or caring for someone who is, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. The release from hospital care to home care can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to make it easier.

If you are the one being discharged, make sure you understand your care plan and any instructions or medications you need to take. If you do not have a caregiver, consider reaching out to Suzy’s Senior Services, which offers a range of at-home care services for elderly and disabled individuals. Their compassionate team can provide the assistance you need to ensure a successful transition back home.

If you are the caregiver for someone being discharged, it’s important to remember that you should never be pressured into accepting more responsibilities than you can handle. Take your time to consider your decision and ask for help if necessary. Suzy’s Senior Services can provide respite care and ongoing support after hospital discharge to make caring for your loved one easier.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. There are resources available to help you provide the best care possible for yourself or your loved one after hospital discharge. Call us at 801-540-2077 to learn more.

“As the director of Weber-Morgan Area Agency on Aging, we have rated Suzy’s Senior Services among the highest-ranking of our 31 providers every year since 2016. 

Suzy’s Services features: 

• qualified and reliable care attendants (nursing assistants) for our clients, 
• highly competent supervision and management of their employees, and
• timely intervention in emergency situations for our clients.

I highly recommend Suzy’s Senior Services for anyone needing financial support to extend care for seniors who are 1) discharged from their Medicare/Medicaid programs or other aging service programs, 2) not qualified for those programs due to means test, or 3) experience being on the program’s waiting list. 

Please feel free to contact me regarding this company’s performance for our aging services programs.”

– N. Iizuka, MS. CMC

Director of Weber-Morgan Area Agency on Aging

For at-home services near Salt Lake City, call us at 801-540-2077 to learn more.