Hospital Discharge Checklist

Hospital Discharge Checklist

Leaving the hospital can feel rushed and confusing. There’s a lot of information in a short amount of time, and it’s easy to miss important details. This checklist is meant to help you prepare for a safer, more organized transition home or to the next level of care.

This is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals. Use this list as a tool to help you remember questions and information during the discharge process.

1. Basic information to confirm

Before discharge, write down these basics or confirm them with the care team:

  •  □What is the main diagnosis or reason for the hospital stay?
  •  □Were there any new conditions discovered during this stay?
  •  □Name of the doctor primarily responsible for their care here
  •  □Contact number for follow-up questions after discharge
  •  □Copies of discharge papers and instructions received

2. Medications

  •  □List of all medications they should be taking after discharge
  • □For each medication:
    •  □What it’s for
    •  □Dose and how often to take it
    •  □Whether to take it with food or on an empty stomach
    •  □How long they should continue taking it
  •  □Which medications were stopped during this stay
  •  □Which medications were changed (dose or timing)
  •  □Plan for refills (which pharmacy, how to get more)

Ask who to call if you have medication questions once you’re home (doctor, nurse line, pharmacist, etc.).

3. Activity, diet, and daily care

  • □Any activity restrictions? (e.g., no driving, no lifting, use walker, etc.)
  • □How much walking or movement is recommended each day?
  • □Are there any specific exercises or therapy instructions?
  • □Diet instructions:
  • □Any foods to avoid?
  • □Special diet (e.g., low salt, diabetic, thickened liquids)?
  • □Personal care:
  • □Can they bathe or shower as usual?
  • □Any wound care instructions? (bandage changes, cleaning, etc.)
  • □Any special care for surgical sites or skin?

4. Symptoms and warning signs

Ask what you should watch for once they’re home.

  • □Symptoms that mean you should call the doctor
  •  □Symptoms that mean you should seek urgent or emergency care
  •  □What is “normal” to expect in the first few days after discharge
  •  □Written instructions for when and where to seek help

Have the care team point out where this information is in the discharge paperwork and keep it somewhere easy to find.

5. Follow-up appointments and services

  • □List of all follow-up appointments:
    • □Doctor/specialist names
    • □Dates, times, and locations
  • □Whether any tests or blood work are needed before those visits
  • □Whether home health services are ordered (nursing, physical therapy, etc.)
  • □Who will contact you to schedule services (and when you should expect that call)
  • □Any referrals to rehab, therapy, or other facilities

6. Help needed at home

Think about what they’ll need help with once they’re home and who can realistically help.

  • □Who will be with them the first 24–72 hours after discharge?
  • Do they need help with:
    • □Walking or moving safely
    • □Getting in/out of bed or chairs
    • □Using the bathroom or bathing
    • □Preparing meals and staying hydrated
    • □Managing medications
  • □Do you need to explore paid help (home care, aides) even part-time?

7. Equipment and home setup

  • □Equipment recommended (e.g., walker, cane, wheelchair, shower chair, grab bars)
  • □Whether anything is being delivered to the home (and by whom)
  • □Any equipment you must pick up yourself (where and when)
  • □Plan for where they will sleep and spend most of the day
  • □Any immediate changes needed (removing rugs, adding night-lights, moving frequently used items within easy reach)

8. Documents and important contacts

  • □Copies of discharge summary and instructions
  • □Updated list of medications
  • Contact information for:
    • □Primary care doctor
    • □Key specialists
    • □Home health or therapy (if ordered)
    • □Hospital or nurse line (if available)
  • □Any paperwork about insurance, coverage, or authorizations

You don’t have to get every answer perfectly. Use this checklist as a guide to cover the most important areas and write things down. It’s okay to ask the care team to slow down, repeat information, or explain things in simpler terms.

If something doesn’t feel right after discharge, trust your instincts and reach out for help.