Discharge Planning & Readiness Checklist
Comprehensive discharge planning assessment to ensure safe transition from hospital including medication reconciliation, follow-up care, and patient education.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: At discharge
- Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
- Role: Nurse/Case Manager
- Total Items: 29
- Compliance: CMS CoP 42 CFR 482.43, Joint Commission PC.04.01-02, AHRQ Re-Engineered Discharge
Medication Reconciliation
Discharge medication review
- Medication reconciliation completed?
- New medications explained?
- Stopped medications identified?
- Prescriptions provided?
- Patient has pharmacy access?
Follow-Up Care
Post-discharge appointments
- PCP follow-up scheduled within 7 days?
- Specialist appointments scheduled?
- Appointment information provided in writing?
- Transportation for appointments arranged?
Patient/Family Education
Discharge education
- Diagnosis and prognosis explained?
- Medications taught (indication, dosing, side effects)?
- Warning signs to watch for discussed?
- When to seek emergency care explained?
- Diet restrictions reviewed?
- Activity restrictions reviewed?
- Teach-back method used to confirm understanding?
Discharge Needs
Post-acute care needs
- Durable medical equipment ordered?
- Home health services arranged?
- Wound care supplies provided?
- Home oxygen arranged (if needed)?
Discharge Documentation
Required documents
- Discharge summary completed?
- Written discharge instructions provided?
- Patient signed discharge instructions?
- PCP notified of discharge?
Pre-Assessment Information
Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification
- Assessor Name / Credentials
- Assessment Date
- Department / Unit
- Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
- Previous assessment findings reviewed?
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Why Use This Discharge Planning & Readiness Checklist?
This discharge planning & readiness checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for nurse/case manager professionals, this checklist covers 29 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: at discharge.
Ensures compliance with CMS CoP 42 CFR 482.43, Joint Commission PC.04.01-02, AHRQ Re-Engineered Discharge. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Discharge Planning & Readiness Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 29 inspection items across 6 sections: Medication Reconciliation, Follow-Up Care, Patient/Family Education, Discharge Needs, Discharge Documentation, Pre-Assessment Information. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed at discharge. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Who should use this Discharge Planning & Readiness Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Nurse/Case Manager professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.