Checklist for Discharge

Going Home

When your doctor feels that you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will authorize a hospital discharge. Please speak with your nurse about our discharge procedures. Here are a few tips to make the discharge process run smoothly:

• Ask to speak with a care coordinator if you have questions about any additional services that may be needed after leaving the hospital. (See Don’t Leave Until… for more discharge advice.)
• Verify your discharge date and time with your nurse or doctor.
• Have someone available to pick you up.
• Check your room, bathroom and bedside table carefully for any personal items, and ask security to retrieve any valuables that you asked them to safeguard.
• Make sure you and/or your caregiver has all necessary paperwork for billing, referrals, prescriptions, etc.
• Please leave behind all hospital equipment, such as walkers, safety belts, etc.
• If you have any questions about your bill, or think you will need financial assistance, please call the financial counselor at 843-522-5150 or toll free at 855-852-0456.

Make Sure You Have the Following Before You Leave the Hospital: 

Patient Health Summary

This is an overview of why you were in the hospital, which health care professionals saw you, what procedures were done and what medications were prescribed.

Medications List

This is a listing of what medications you are taking, why, in what dosage and who prescribed them. If your physician gives you prescriptions for medications, please have these filled as soon as possible.

Follow-up Care Instructions

Make sure you have paperwork that tells you:

• what, if any, dietary restrictions you need to follow and for how long
• what kinds of activities you can and can’t do, and for how long
• how to properly care for any injury or incisions you may have
• what follow-up tests you may need and when you need to schedule them
• what medicines you must take, why and for how long
• when you need to see your physician
• any other home care instructions for your caregiver, such as how to get you in and out of bed, how to use and monitor any equipment, and what signs and symptoms to watch out for
• telephone numbers to call if you or your caregiver has any questions pertaining to your after-hospital care

Your Belongings

Before you leave, make sure you have gathered your personal belongings, including any valuables stored with security.

Services Needed After Discharge

After you leave the hospital, you may need additional care or services to help with your recovery. Make sure you understand exactly what is needed before you leave. A care coordinator is available to help provide information on local services that may be needed and help you determine what is and is not covered by your insurance.