Your Discharge

Leaving the Hospital

The procedure for leaving the hospital is outlined below:

1. Your physician will write a discharge order on your chart.
2. When you have been discharged, you will be asked to stop by the Admitting Office for a brief check-out, to ensure all your insurance and/or contact information is complete and accurate.
3. So that we may prepare your room for the next patient, we ask that you plan to leave no later than 11 a.m. on the day of your discharge. You are charged for your room on the day of admission, but not for the day of discharge if you check out by 11 a.m.

Social Work/Discharge Planning

The Social Work and Case Management departments offer assistance to patients and families to develop the post-hospital care plan that is best for each patient. The social workers and case managers are able to assess patient care needs, provide information on aftercare services available in the community, assist in making arrangements for care at home or in another health care facility, and offer counseling to help deal with the emotional and physical demands of the illness. In addition, a medical assistance worker is available to take and process medical assistance applications.

At the Time of Discharge

Patients are often discharged to other levels of care, such as rehabilitation and nursing centers or home health. These other levels of care provide excellent services to meet the patient's post-hospital needs. If you have a concern about discharge planning, please call the Social Work/Discharge Planning Department at ext. 5465 as soon after admission as possible to begin the planning process.