Be aware that all fanatical, Rushed or badly coordinated discharges from hospitals are extremely dangerous. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that one in five Medicare patients is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. One in three is back within 90 days. The writer suggests that many of these issues are linked to insufficient coordination of care and inadequate discharge planning.

Why This Happens

Discharge planning is not always given the attention and care necessary for a smooth transition in the hospital. All patients should receive comprehensive care instructions in their speech and in their medical care literacy level. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily happen. Hospital staff members are under extreme pressure to release you when possible. Those in the medical care sector have coined the expression quicker and sicker when they describe how patients are currently discharged from hospitals. As a direct result of these early hospital discharges:

• 41 percent of individuals are discharged with test results still pending.
• 13 percent of those evaluations are of an urgent nature.

What is worse, at the time of Discharge, 1 half of adults have difficulty understanding their prescriptions or discharge instructions. Additionally, less than one-half of individuals understand their diagnosis, treatment plan or side effects of prescribed drugs. The outcomes of poor care Coordination at the time of a hospital discharge can endanger your wellbeing and safety. This is my recommendation; do not allow this to happen to you or a loved one.

Take Active Part in Your Discharge Plan

You must insist on a well Coordinated and planned hospital discharge program. At the very least, be sure to:

1. Receive the necessary Discharge instruction about the condition that brought you to the hospital. Take complete advantage of the knowledge of the clinic staff. Ask as many questions as necessary to obtain a complete understanding of your condition, diagnosis, and treatment program. Ask for written information too.
2. Ask to meet with the Hospital pharmacist to review all your discharge medications. Make sure to discuss any modifications, additions or deletions of medicine that you are taking prior to your hospitalization. This procedure is known as Medication Reconciliation and is crucial to a safe release. It is been found that between 20 and 30 percent of all best cardiology hospital in bangalore re-admissions within 30 days will be the direct result of drug difficulties.
3. Find out when you want to follow up with your healthcare team like your primary care doctor, surgeon or specialist. This is critical as a well coordinated discharge program will involve timely follow up care.
4. be sure your primary Care doctor receives copies of your release medication list and directions. Take your copy with you to your follow up appointment.