How can I help myself get discharged from hospital?
Wear your own clothes. That is our best Top Tip. More of that later.
Remember a hospital is not a prison and you can discharge yourself anytime. But it’s best to do it with the doctors and nurses agreement.
Most stays are 6-7 days, or less. No one likes being in hospital. If you are in two weeks or more, that is a concern. It usually means that you are not fuller better, and/or a complication or new illness has happened.
Being discharged safely is another issue, and it is a fine balance between 4 things:
- Getting the diagnosis and treatment right
- Getting better – being in long enough to make sure you have a clear diagnosis and you are getting better
- Preventing complications – not being in any longer than necessary and experience complications related to immobility (blood clots in legs and lungs) or acquiring an infection from the hospital
- Risking readmission – being discharged too soon without your problem(s) sorted and risk readmission.
So. How can I help myself get discharged from hospital?
But there are 5 things you can do, to shift the balance to the correct line for you:
- Ask daily – when you are being discharged, on a daily basis from day 3 onwards
- Wear your own clothes and keep moving – and get ready. This gives the doctors and nurses a mental impression of someone that wants to go home – and helps prevent blood clots. Prepare your bag. Think about transport home and setting up your house (e.g. get meals delivered)
- One person – if you need help with your discharge, appoint one person to act as go-between with doctors and nurses. If there are more than one family member doing this, it can lead to mixed messages and delay discharge
- Show your knowledge – on ward rounds, to the medical team. Write down the diagnosis, treatment plan (and changes to both) – and their names. This should include the name of your consultant, the senior doctor in charge of your care, and his/her secretary’s phone number. Keep notes. Do not leave without a copy of your discharge summary
- Wear your own clothes. It shows that you want to go home.
Readmission
There is a significant risk (10%) of readmission especially in the first week after discharge.
Summary
We have described how can I help myself get discharged from hospital. We hope its clearer now what you can do to help yourself.
Last Reviewed on 12 March 2024