Discharge Time-Out
Give the patient a written and verbal discharge plan at the time of discharge,
- must contain
Patient Education Instructions: print from Meditech - go over with pt
- Assess the degree of understanding by asking them to explain in their own words the education / diagnoses
Make appointments for clinician follow-up and post-discharge testing / services
- Discuss reason for and importance of physician appointments and post-discharge tests/services
- Be sure patient understands the importance of such services.
- Provide phone numbers and addresses for physician follow-up visits / problems after discharge
- Provide phone numbers / addresses for post-discharge tests / services
- Confirm that the patient knows where to go, has a plan about how to get to the appointment; review transportation options and other barriers to keeping these appointments
- Discuss the details about how to receive each service.
- Make appointment for patient, if during business hours:
Confirm the Medication Plan.
- Reconcile the discharge medication regimen with those taken before the hospitalization.
- Explain what medications to take, emphasizing any changes in the regimen.
- Review each medication’s purpose, how to take each medication correctly, and important side effects to watch out for. Print medication monographs from Meditech
- Be sure patient has a realistic plan about how to get the medications.
- Inform the patient to bring list of all meds now taking to next physician appointment
Review the appropriate steps for what to do if a problem arises – what is an emergency and what to do in cases of emergency.
Assess the degree of understanding by asking them to explain in their own words the details of the plan.
- May require removal of language and literacy barriers by utilizing professional interpreters.
- May require contacting family members who will share in the care-giving responsibilities.
Home Care and / or Durable Medical Equipment – Case Management
- Provide phone numbers / addresses for Home Care and/or Durable Medical Equipment Companies for visits / problems after discharge
- Confirm the patient knows when services are beginning / equipment arriving
Provide telephone reinforcement of the discharge plan and problem-solving 2-3 days after discharge
Best phone number to call pt at:
Belonging list checked and personal effects returned to patient
Medications returned to patient
Any Service Recovery needed? Contact Director,Scs Excellence or Risk Management for assist, if needed
Rev. 9.12