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Discharge Instructions
Discharge InstructionsMartha Moore is walking pain-free thanks to a new hip.“My mobility is much better. It's what it should be. I don't think about it any more when before it was all Ithought about, before the surgery. So when you have your quality of life back it makes a world ofdifference.”After surgery, Martha was very careful to follow the instructions that she was given before she went home fromthe hospital…“It's that complete understanding of OK, this is what's going to happen goingforward. And I think I'm a better patient and can be a better patient if I understand the instructions andcan follow them. My recovery will be faster. And that's what you want at the end of the day - morecomplete recovery.”Discharge instructions include critical information about your follow-up care. So, anxious as you might be toget out of the hospital, it’s really important to pay attention to all the information that’s given to you, so youdon’t end up being re-admitted.“Patients often will say the best thing is getting out of the hospital. And I agree. That's our goal foreveryone. But going out and then having something go wrong that brings you back? Why did you comein the first place? Nobody wants that.”Before you leave the hospital, you will receive specific guidelines to help you heal. These dischargeinstructions will be designed by the hospital just for you and your treatment plan.“The exercises I should do or not do. Restrictions on my mobility or diet or anything else.Understanding my medications. So I left knowing, you know, the security of the hospital and goinghome, I didn't want to be calling, you know, the doctor every five minutes.”Some of the things your discharge instructions might include:-Your treatments or procedures-including what to expect as you recover-New medications or directions for taking prescriptions that you used before the hospital-Advice for caring for any incisions or wounds-Instructions for any medical devices you may need after you leave the hospital-Diet or exercise restrictions-Instructions for going back to work, and-Your doctor’s contact information including the dates for any follow-up appointments2 31“The single most important thing perhaps for people to leave the hospital is to know how to get help.Knowing who you can call and when they're available brings you peace of mind knowing if somethingcomes up you can get the help you need before it becomes a crisis and you're back in the hospital.”“Whenever I do surgery, the patient is given two numbers when they leave, the number of the nursingstation at the hospital that they had the surgery performed at, and our office number. And there issomebody available 24/7 at both of those numbers.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCQC1006698 EN DischargeInstructions.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Discharge Instructions“The information the hospital gave me was easy to understand. The physician, the social worker, thenurse went over it with me. So I left knowing I was probably in a good spot and could handle everythingwhen I got home.”As a patient, you play an important part in the discharge plan, too. Speak up about what’s important toyou…things that your healthcare team might not even know about that could affect your care…“Are you going to go home by yourself? Are you leaving in a couple of days for a vacation? And is itOK for you to get on an airplane?”“Are you going to have trouble getting to a grocery store? Are you going to have trouble if theychanged your medication or are you going to have trouble affording it? Do you know what yourinsurance is going to cover?These are questions that if you talk to your doctors and nurses and other people on the care teamthey'll be able to help you.”It’s also helpful to have a family member or friend with you when you receive your discharge instructions…it’s alot of information to take in.“Asking questions before you leave the hospital, making sure you understand what's the plan. Veryvery important.”Martha Moore couldn’t agree more…knowing what to expect helped insure she did NOT end up back at thehospital…“I think the instructions I received put me on the right path to have a full and good recovery.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCQC1006698 EN DischargeInstructions.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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