Leaving the Hospital
In many instances much of your recovery will take place after you
leave the hospital, making
discharge planning an important part of your hospital stay. Your doctor, nurse or case manager will help
you understand and arrange for your discharge needs.
Some of the Issues You May Need to Consider Are:
- Medications. You will
receive an updated list of medications to keep taking at home, including dosage
instructions and any other relevant information. Please ask a member of your
care team if you have any questions regarding your medications.
- Personal
belongings. Be sure to collect all of
your personal items, making sure to double check drawers and closets. If you
have valuables stored in the hospital safe, please ask your nurse for
assistance in retrieving them.
- Transportation. You may need to make arrangements with a
family member or friend to help you get home. If necessary your case manager
will help you arrange alternative means of transportation.
- Diet and Activity Restrictions. Your doctor and nurse will
give you instructions about diet and activity before you leave the hospital. If
you have questions please be sure to ask them at this time or feel free to
contact your physician after discharge.
- After Care. There
are many occasions when patients need additional treatment or care after their
stay in the hospital. Some of these services include rehabilitation, extended
care recovery, nursing home placements, home health care, hospice, Council on
Aging referrals or cardiac rehabilitation. Your patient care team will work closely
with you and our community partners to ensure that your ongoing needs are
addressed.
- Hospice. Hospice care
is a service that focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients who have
end-stage illness and limited life expectancy. Typically used as a support to
patients and families who are living either at home or in a long-term care
facility, hospice services in Rutland County are provided by Rutland Area
Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (RAVNAH). If you would like
more information about the ways hospice can help, you may ask a Case Manager,
Social Worker or Palliative Care nurse, or call RAVNAH directly at
802.775.0568.
