Discharge to the Community

February 22, 2021

Overview

This Theme of the Week (TOTW) focuses on the medical discharge of patients from the Emergency Department to the community. Including returning to a nursing home or private residence.

Alignment to Western Health Best Care Framework:

Safe Care & Coordinated Care

Why is this important:

Implementing a full discharge process form our Emergency Departments ensures that patients are safe and ready to return to the community. Communicating and connecting the care we have provided in our departments back to the community health care provider/s and the social support network of the patient. This helps achieve the continuation of care we provide outside of the Emergency Department.

What does this look like in practice?

Discharge to the community checklists

Home	Nursing home
Discharge Letter Script Follow up Appointments Call friend or family Remove line and devices Final set of vital signs Cleared by ACE Do they require aid such as crutches? Complete discharge time on back of nursing chart	Irc Mac / Script Discharge medications Phone call to nursing home Remove lines and devices Final set of vital signs Cleared by ACE Do they require aids such as crutches Complete discharge time on back of nursing chart

Figure 1: Nursing Observation Chart Discharge Sections:

Supporting Documents

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