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Discharge Instructions
When your doctor determines you are ready to
leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written. You will be given
instructions and other information about post-hospital care. It’s very important
that you fully understand this information and keep it for reference in the
“Discharge Instructions & Prescriptions” pocket of this folder. If you have
questions about diet, activity, need for follow-up care or other matters, do not
hesitate to ask. If you need further help with planning your discharge, please
contact Care Management by dialing 7408 on any hospital phone.
Discharge
Prescriptions
You may also receive prescriptions for new
medication to place in the “Discharge Instructions & Prescriptions” pocket
of this folder. It is important to have these new prescriptions filled at your
home pharmacy to ensure that they retain your complete medication profile,
reducing the risk of dangerous drug interactions. It is also very important that
your doctor discusses and lists the medications you are to continue taking. Do
not assume that you will continue to take the same medications you were on
before your hospital stay. Be sure to clarify this before leaving the
hospital.
Personal
Health Information Wallet Card
If you didn’t receive a yellow wallet card with a
listing of all your current medications, please ask your nurse. Keep this record
with you at all times. Make sure your physician reviews it and updates it with
each office visit. This is particularly important if more than one physician is
involved in your healthcare.
Checkout
Time
Once your physician has approved your dismissal
and your nurse has reviewed your discharge instructions with you, you are free
to leave. You may want to make arrangements with a family member or friend to
help collect all of your belongings. If you have items stored in the hospital
safe, call Admissions at 7980 from a hospital phone. If you cannot leave at this
time, please notify your nurse so alternate arrangements can be made. Patients
should be aware that insurance companies often do not compensate policy holders
for extra time spent in their hospital rooms.
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