Summary: When you leave the hospital, you will need instructions to maintain the gains made in the hospital. Despite all the efforts made, misunderstandings can occur about the level of activity involved, foods that are best, wound care, how to take medicines and avoid side effects, and so much more. Ideally, family members should be around in the hospital during care. The investment in time then promotes the best exposure to what should be done at home. Family involvement is so helpful. The challenge these days is to make sure care continues into the home. The transitions probably will require discharge nursing and social services , but also directions about when to call for help, when to see their physician next, and when blood tests may be needed. The expectation of the medical care systems today are that you’re leaving the hospital occurs during a time of transition, and that ongoing care in the house or nursing home will be necessary to promote further healing. One other important item: as you leave, be sure someone is aware you want a copy of the discharge summary. That will give you, in typed form, your medical records, your diagnoses, the medicines they have been given and the tests done.
