It is a sign of relief to leave the hospital after staying there in a stressed environment. But it can also be scary too. If you or your beloved one intends to leave the hospital, but find the recovery period difficult and unfamiliar, then this article is for you. This article will help you out with which things you need to do before leaving the hospital. If you’re searching for it, continue your reading:
1. Have a written discharge plan
It is a better option to have a written discharge plan which contains all the essential information about your hospital stay, your current condition, and how to continue feeling better after you leave the hospital. In addition, it has clear instructions about dietary restrictions or the activities you should avoid. The discharge plan may consist of:
- The date you are leaving the hospital
- Where you are going after you leave the hospital
- How you will get there from the hospital
- A schedule of follow-up appointments with primary care providers or specialists
- A list of your medical problems
- A list of allergies
- A list of medications, including when to take them and for how long, and any possible side effects
- How you will fill your prescriptions
- A list of any equipment you might need, such as a cane or wheelchair
- What you will do if you have a medical problem in the middle of the night.
Share your discharge plan with your primary care doctor, specialist, and your loved ones for a speedy recovery.
2. Medication and supplies
Make a list of the medications, therapies, and supplies you use while staying in the hospital. Make sure you have signed a deal with a reliable company to deliver these things to your doorstep without delay. Talk to your doctor about the continued prescriptions, timing, therapies, and other protocols for the home. Any medication which does need in an emergency should be refilled before leaving the hospital.
3. Complications
Ask your doctor which complications may arise after you leave the hospital. Be familiar with the possible sign and symptoms after leaving the hospital. Ask your doctor what to do if you experience any of these symptoms, and when should you revisit the hospital in an emergency? Clarify with your doctor what actions can you take at home to handle the emergency.
4. Find a good primary doctor
It is an essential thing to do before you leave the hospital. It is the best time to find a good primary doctor. It is helpful to find a doctor who is already familiar with or handling the same kind of health issue. If you already have a primary care doctor, you can consult with him regarding your health condition. He should be responsible for checking your health status regularly.
5. Transportation
Before leaving the hospital, you should ensure that you have personal transportation like a car outside the hospital. If you have your own car, still you need to arrange a driver until you get fined completely. In addition, you can ask your doctor whether you can use public transport or not.
Conclusion
Though spending time in the hospital can be overwhelming, you can work closely with the medical team to make sure you safely get home and stay home. You will feel much more relaxed before leaving the hospital once all of these things have been accomplished. Sometimes, joining the rehabilitation center before arriving home is highly facilitated, depending on your physical condition and medical issues. In addition, before you leave the hospital, you should also ask your doctor about the care plan for wound healing and incision sites, how can you reach medical personnel in an emergency, and when’s your next appointment with your specialist. So, if you do all these things before leaving the hospital, you can go home without any fear and tension.
