section name header

Skill

Discharge

Prerequisite Skills

Communication skills

Critical Element Criteria

Students must meet criteria of Critical Elements to safely perform the skill based on evidence-based practice. Score can be pass/fail, letter grade, or point assignment. Only acceptable score for Critical Elements is 100%

Critical Elements

  • Communicates clearly with caring behavior.
  • Perform hand hygiene before and after procedure.

Procedure

Prior to Treatment: (Critical Thinking)

  • Gather equipment: teaching material, discharge instructions.

Patient Interaction: (Safety)

  • Explain procedure.
  • Use two patient identifiers.
  • Wash hands.

Steps of the Procedure: (Patient Centered Care)

  1. Notify patient/family of discharge.
  2. Arrange for transportation, equipment needed at home and teach about use.
  3. Make referrals.
  4. Complete final assessment.
  5. Remove all hospital equipment and drains as appropriate (IV catheter).
  6. Pack personal items, retrieving anything from the hospital safe that the patient may have placed there.
  7. Give prescriptions, instruction sheets and appointment cards.
  8. Review discharge summary with patient, provide printed copy, answer questions.
  9. Accompany patient out of hospital.

After Procedure (Patient Centered Care)

  • Wash hands before leaving room.

Document (Informatics, Communication)

  • Complete discharge paperwork.