Discharge Planning is a process, not a single event. Medicare defines discharge planning this way: “A process used to decide what a patient needs for a smooth transition from one level of care to another”.

As a result of that process, the discharge plan may be to return home or someone else’s, a rehab facility, a nursing home or some other place outside the hospital.

What You Need To Know

You should know several things about your discharge plan including:

• Expected date of dischargeDiagnosis/es at the time of discharge
• Medications/prescriptions at the time of discharge
• Transportation needs at the time of discharge (car, cab, wheelchair van, ambulance, bus/metro, etc.)
• Medical equipment needs (cane, crutches, walker, wheel-chair, oxygen, hospital bed, etc)
• Home-care needs (visiting nurse, physical/speech/ occupational therapy, home health aid, etc.)
• Rehab needs (acute, sub-acute, outpatient)
• Special foods and/or diet restrictions
• Physical activity restrictions
• Follow-up medical tests/procedures/appointments

If you have any questions or need more information about your discharge plan please ask to see the social worker/nurse case manager if you are currently in a hospital or call ADRC at (202) 724-5626 and ask for the Transition Care Specialist.