Stays at the hospital can be difficult and stressful experiences for both the patient and their family. What comes after though, is often even harder. It is important to have a game plan from the start to finish of the patient’s experience and it will likely not end upon their discharge from the hospital.

1. A Guide To
Patient
Discharge
Planning
www.aurumnetwork.com

2. www.aurumnetwork.com
Stays at the hospital can be difficult and stressful experiences for both the
patient and their family. What comes after though, is often even harder. It
is important to have a game plan from the start to finish of the patient’s
experience and it will likely not end upon their discharge from the hospital.

3. www.aurumnetwork.com
This is why discharge planning is so vital to the health and success of a
patient struggling with anything from illness to physical trauma. In order
to have a successful discharge plan, one must know everything that goes
into it and be thoroughly prepped for the overall experience.

4. www.aurumnetwork.com
It is important to note that,
unless the situation to put
the patient in the hospital
was a sudden emergency,
discharge planning should
begin before the patient is
admitted. If it is an emer-
gency, you will want to sort
out the discharge plan
within the first day or two
of their stay. In the first 48
hours, a date of discharge
should be made. 48 hours
before discharge, the plan
should be completely put
together and thoroughly
understood by the patient
and their family.

5. www.aurumnetwork.com
Key steps in discharge planning:
1. A professional evaluation of the
patient should be initiated. The
condition should be completely
understood by a doctor so
that they can best advise what
comes next.
2. The patient’s condition and
options should be discussed
between the doctor and patient
so that both are on the same
page and understand the extent
of situation.
3. The patient, family, and doctor
should plan for what comes
after discharge, whether the
patient is going home, to a reha-
bilitation facility, or to a nursing
home.

6. www.aurumnetwork.com
Key steps in discharge planning:
4. It is then important to deter-
mine if any caregiver training
is required of the family or if
any additional support will be
needed after discharge.
5. It will need to be determined
if referral to any home agency
care or community support
systems will be necessary, such
as physical therapy or support
groups.
6. Arrangements for follow up
doctor’s visits and hospital
appointments will need to be
made to make sure that the
patient’s condition will be effi-
ciently checked on by a profes-
sional after discharge.

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Be sure that the
patient and family are
included. Everyone
who may be involved
in the patient’s recov-
ery process needs
to be completely
included in planning
for their discharge
to ensure that the
patient receives every-
thing that they need
and understands their
next steps.

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Be fully aware of
what’s next. No matter
where the patient is
going, it is important
that the patient and
family understand
what life will be like
after discharge. If they
are going home, the
patient and family
should understand
any risks, warning
signs, and problems
that may occur.

9. www.aurumnetwork.com
Understand as much
as possible. Both
the patient and their
family should know
everything that they
can about the condi-
tion as well as the
discharge process.
The better they under-
stand, the more
smoothly and quickly
everything will run.

10. www.aurumnetwork.com
Be heard. If there are any concerns or questions had by the patient or
their relatives, make sure that they are heard. There shouldn’t be any
surprises when the patient is discharged and a lack of understanding
can interrupt the process and potentially cause problems later on.

11. Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers
Aurum member nursing and rehabilitation
centers provide a wide range of high quality
medical services including:
• Postacute care
• Short-term rehabilitation
• Respite care
• Hospice care
• Long-term care
Working with each resident and their family
members, staff will customize a plan to
maximize both self-motivation and func-
tional independence. You or your loved one
will be in an atmosphere of warmth, respect
and understanding.
Find an Aurum Member Facility in your Area