Kershaw Health

Discharge Planning

Each medical unit is assigned a patient care coordinator whose role is to develop a discharge plan for all patients in the hospital. Their goal is to ensure you are ready for discharge and well-informed about what you may need when you leave the hospital and the resources available to meet those needs.
 
The patient care coordinator collaborates with your doctor to determine your needs. Will you enter a long term care facility or require home health services? What type of physical rehabilitation, if any, will be necessary? Will you need medical equipment like a wheelchair or walker? The discharge planner will then meet with you to discuss the various options available. They will help you access the resources necessary to carry out your discharge plan and help you navigate a complex network of healthcare resources.
 
Please let the patient care coordinator know any special needs or concerns you may have. The sooner they know about these, the easier it is to plan for them. In addition, the patient resource coordinator will have information about advance directives – what they are, how to get one, and when they are used. They’ll be glad to discuss these with you at any time.
 
We know you’ll be anxious to leave the hospital as soon as your doctor says you’re ready to go home. Remember, though, that there are still many things we must do before you leave. The actual discharge process can take several hours, so please be patient. Our goal is to have everything completed so you are ready to leave by noon on the day of discharge.