You will be assessed by the nursing staff, physiotherapist and the surgeon before the decision is made to discharge you from the hospital. You will need to ensure that the arrangements you made for your transport home are still in place.
Your care team in hospital will explain the discharge process for you. You can ask questions so you are as ready as possible to leave hospital and stay healthy once you’re home. Let your care team know if you will not be staying in your own home following discharge.
Your Discharge summary/letter
Your care team will give you a discharge summary which should contain the following information
Procedure you have had done
Medicines you are taking
Details of any wound care arrangements
Dates or schedules of out-patient appointments
Specific post-operative instructions
We will supply you with information but, you may want to clarify verbally with your care team the following and write notes down:
Any “red flags’ to look out for and what to do when you notice them
Any specific dietary requirements
How to care for your wound and what happens if the dressing starts to come off
When and how to obtain additional or alternative medication
The do’s and don’ts of your new knee
Sick note if required
Write down a name and phone number of someone to call with questions after you leave the hospital.
It is important to make sure you receive verbal instructions of all the medication you are taking home, how and when you should take them and make sure you understand the changes that have been made. You will be supplied with a script for the medication to be taken at home in addition to your routine medication.
References
“IDEAL Discharge Planning Overview, Process, and Checklist.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. US Department of Health and Social Services. Web. 8 September 2016 - Click here
“A Patient’s Guide to a Hospital Stay.” Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. Web. 8 September 2016 - Click here