Preparing For Discharge
Discharge planning for patients and their families begins upon admission to our hospital. Therefore, during your stay the nurses and other members of the health care team will be performing education regarding your diagnosis, medications, and immunization status assessment to prepare you for your hospital discharge. Once your physician has determined that you are ready to go home, our staff will give you discharge instructions and pamphlets that help you care for yourself following your hospital stay. Be sure you are clear about discharge instructions, including medications you need and information regarding a follow-up visit. Make sure you are given a phone number to call if you have any questions.
For your safety, we will provide wheelchair transportation to the lobby exit where a family member can safely pick you up in the car. Be sure to gather all of your personal belongings and ask for any valuables you may have in our safe in the administrative supervisor's office.
Please know that our case management department will work closely with all other departments in our hospital to give you and your family access to all available services that help advance your recuperation and rehabilitation. Our discharge planners assess each patient at the time of admission and follow their care until discharge. Case managers can assist with coordination of the discharge plan, which may include:
- Nursing home or assisted living facilities
- Working with your insurance company
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment
- Rehabilitation of veterans hospitals
- Transportation
- Meals on Wheels
- Hospice
- Home infusion therapy
- Abuse and neglect
- Substance abuse
- Community resources
- Patient Education to assist patients with self-care post discharge
Our case management department office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To speak with one of our case managers, please call (304) 235-2500 Exts. 1737, 169, 1835, and 1756.