Sri Raghavendra Group Of Institution, Chikkabanavara – 560090

Subject: Nursing Foundation

Topic: Discharge

Sl. No Yes No Teacher’s

Note
A Definition:- Discharge or dismissal from the hospital
means the departure of the patient from the hospital.
B Purpose:-
• To provide for continuity of care at home
• To assist the patient to complete hospital
formalities before returning home such as
medicines, bills, returned visit or referral
• To provide for a safe, efficient return of all the
patient’s clothing and valuables
• To assist the patient in managing the change
from the hospital environment to the home
environment successfully
C Types of Discharge:-
1. Planned Discharge
2. Left against medical advice
3. Discharge against medical advice
4. Referrals and transfer
D Discharge Planning:-
• It is the symmetric process for preparing the
patient to leave the hospital for continuity of
care
• For effective discharge, planning has to start at
the time of admission
• Planning for discharge must be individualized
to the patient’s specific needs
• This can be a frightening experience
developing on the level of recuperation client
has achieved
E Procedure:-
1. No patient should be discharged without the
doctors written order. The physician writes on
the patient’s chart when the patient is to be
discharged
2. Instructions regarding further care,
medications, treatment, follow up etc., Should
be clearly written and interpreted to the
patient family members
3. Provide the patient with the medications or
direct him to purchase what is needed for him
 4. Patients personal belongings such as clothing,
money and other valuables which were
entrusted to the hospital. Personnel at the
time of admission should be checked and
returned to him. The nurse should get a
receipt from the patient at the time of delivery
5. Any of the hospital property that was given to
the patient for his use in the hospital should
be checked and received back before he leaves
6. Before the patient leaves the hospital, the
nurse should confirm whether he has paid all
the hospital bills
7. See that the patient is ready to go home,
recently bathed, hair combed and dressed in
clean clothes
8. If the patient is not able to walk or not allowed
to walk to the conveyance, the nurse should
see that he is safely transferred either on a
wheel chair or an stretcher
9. The dietary department should be informed of
the patient’s discharge
10. If any patient leaves the hospital against
medical advice he should be asked to sign a
release form
11. The nurse should see that the charts are
completed and sent to the office or to the
record section
F Care of unit after discharge:- Once the patient is
discharged, the unit has to be prepared for next
patient
Purpose:-
• To clean and disinfectant the area and
equipment
• To prevent the spread of infection to others
• To receive a new patient
Procedure:-
1. Remove the bed linen, Mackintosh, mattress,
pillows and utensils
2. Wash the bed and locked with soap and water
and use antiseptic solution
3. Clean all the furniture belonging to the unit
4. The mattress, pillow and blanket may be sent
to autoclave section or placed in direct
sunlight for a day
5. The unit or room is cleaned and aired
6. Rearrange the furniture and the unit
7. Keep the bed ready with clean new sheets for
a new patient
G Steps for discharging a patient:-
 1. Make sure that there is written
consent/instruction for discharge and follow
up description
2. Make sure that the family and the patient
understand the instructions for patient care
3. If the patient or relatives decides to leave the
hospital against advice of his doctors, have him
sign LAMA
4. Assist the patient to dress, check and pack
belonging
5. Collect the discharge slip and prescriptions
that the patient is to take with him for follow
up care
6. Complete the patient’s record and discharge
summary
7. Transport the patient and his belongings via a
wheel chair. Assist the patient into vehicle
8. Care of unit after discharge

Clinical instructor

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