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. You will be provided with Rutland Regional's Patient Discharge Planning Resource Guide, which helps us ensure all patients have the information required to make informed decisions about discharge resources.

Cover of Patient Discharge Planning Resource

Patient Discharge Planning Resource Guide

This resource helps us ensure all patients have the information required to make informed decisions about discharge resources.

Download Now (pdf)

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 & 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 Bayada Home Health Care and Hospice and the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, formerly called 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 Bayada directly at 802.775.7272 or VNAHSR directly at 802.775.0568.

Transitional Care Program

Sometimes, adults with chronic illness need additional help to return home safely. Rutland Regional's Transitional Care Program helps bridge services between the hospital and home by creating partnerships between patients, caregivers, family members, and Registered Nurse. Talk to your care team before discharge if you feel this program would be of benefit to you.

Contact Rutland Regional Medical Center

Phone: 802.775.7111

Download the Patient & Family Guide (pdf)

Need Help at Home?

If you would like more information help after you leave the hospital please call:

Social Work Department at 802.747.3713
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (formerly RAVNAH) directly at 802.775.0568
Bayada Home Health Care directly at 802.775.7272

Need Help?

Download the updated Rutland Area Community Resource Guide (pdf) for information and referrals to health and human services available to the Rutland area.