Your stay at Brigham and Women's Hospital may be as short as several hours or as long as several weeks. However, on average, a patient is in the hospital for 2-4 days. For your convenience, it is important to begin planning for discharge early during your hospital stay.
The things that you will need to consider prior to your discharge include:
- How will you get home from the hospital?
- Who will be at home to help you?
- What medications will you need?
- What types of ongoing care will you need at home after discharge (visiting nurses, dressing changes, oxygen, etc.)?
- Do you need temporary care at a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility rather than discharge directly to home?
- What limitations will there be on your activity?
- When can you return to work, driving, etc.?
A care coordinator will be assigned to you and will meet you in the hospital a few days before your discharge to help you address any of these issues.
If you need help in planning for your care after you are discharged, speak with your nurse or contact the Care Coordination Department at extension 2-6469 or 2-6520.
