5 Ways to Prepare for a Hospital Discharge

Did you know that according to the National Library of Medicine among Medicare patients, almost 20 percent who are discharged from a hospital are readmitted within 30 days? It is possible to prevent readmissions, which will improve the quality-of-life for patients and help with financial burdens.

We have 5 ways for you to prepare for your loved one’s hospital discharge. Be sure to take all necessary steps to prevent any avoidable hospital discharges.  
 

• Discuss with the doctors the recovery process and potential complications.
  Before you let your loved one discharge from the hospital it is important to discuss the recovery process with the doctors. Ask them the level of improvement you should be seeing in a certain time frame. Be sure to also ask about potential complication symptoms and what to expect.

• Recognize the level of care needed for recovery. 
  There may be a higher level of care needed for a safe recovery. It is important to distinguish how severe the symptoms of your loved one are and the expected amount of care needed during recovery. Will your loved one need someone around 24/7 to help out with everyday tasks, or are they capable of being on their own during their recovery time. 

• Understand the necessary equipment, medication, and dietary changes. 
  If your loved one is going home with medical equipment, additional medication, or dietary restrictions, be confident that you understand how the equipment and restrictions. Discuss in detail how to use medical equipment, the prescription directions, and any foods that need to be avoided. It is vital to have this information to make sure that your loved one will be well taken care of during recovery.  

• Create a schedule and plan for the patient’s follow-up appointments. 
  Before you leave the hospital create a schedule for follow-up appointments. If appointments need to be with the primary care physician be sure to get ahold of them and let them know when you need to get your loved one in for an appointment. If several follow-up appointments are needed please be sure to create a schedule and know the plan for your loved one so they won’t miss any appointments.

• Address questions and concerns before you leave the hospital. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you let your loved one leave the hospital. If you have any concerns, hesitations, or questions regarding their health speak with a nurse or doctor. Leave feeling prepared and confident that you understand the well-being of your loved one.

We understand that you may feel a burden of care for your loved one as they are being discharged from the hospital. Several of these steps can be easily controlled by an in-home caregiver. If you know that your loved one is going to be discharged from the hospital and may need extra care it may be vital to start looking into your care options.

Caregivers can help with medication management, meal preparation, dressing and bathing, and companion care. We can also assist with transportation needs, such as to appointments and to the store. The level of care that your loved one’s needs may be beyond your comfort level or skill level and it is okay to let someone else step in to make sure your family is safe and recovering properly.

If you are interested in speaking to us to find our more information about in-home caregivers we have representatives ready to assist you. Please contact Fedelta at 206.362.2366 to discuss safe hospital discharges to in-home care.