Hospital Discharge Planning Home Care Path

Hospital discharge planning is defined by Medicare as a process used to decide what a patient needs for a smooth transition from one level to another. Medicare requires that the hospital discharge plan be safe and adequate. The Patient Protection and Affordability Act H.R. 3590 was signed by President Barack Obama in March 2010. Section 2717 describes a process to monitor hospital readmissions and improve patient safety. Section 3025 describes financial incentives to encourage hospitals to reduce readmissions. House H.R. 3962 Section 1151 adjusts payments to hospitals to reduce potentially preventable readmissions.

The legislation will result in hospitals putting more emphasis on discharge planning. Discharge from a hospital does not mean the patient has fully recovered. Discharge from a hospital means an M.D. has decided that the patient has reached a stable condition and does not need to be hospitalized anymore. Hospital discharge planners will need to make sure patients are receiving more appropriate follow up care.

Families will have to be sure there are no inaccurate assumptions with the hospital discharge plan. Be clear about what the family will be required to do for the patient when they arrive home. If an agency is coming in to help the patient, make sure the workers are in place. If discharge is to a nursing home be sure the location is close enough to accomidate family visits.