Safe Discharge Checklist
Complete before patient discharge.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Per discharge
- Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes
- Role: Nurse / Case Manager
- Total Items: 33
- Compliance: Joint Commission, CMS
Patient Education
Complete discharge education.
- Discharge instructions provided?
- Medications reviewed?
- Follow-up appointments scheduled?
Safety
Ensure safe discharge.
- Transportation arranged?
- Home environment assessed as safe?
- Warning signs reviewed?
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?
Infection Prevention & Control
Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards
- Hand hygiene compliance observed?
- Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
- Isolation precautions properly implemented?
- Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
- High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?
Patient Safety & Identification
Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures
- Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
- Fall risk assessment completed?
- Call light within patient reach?
- Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?
Medication Safety & Management
Verify medication handling and administration practices
- Medications stored securely and at proper temperature?
- Controlled substances properly secured and counted?
- No expired medications in stock?
- High-alert medications properly labeled?
Environment of Care & Safety
Verify facility environment meets safety standards
- Fire exits clear and unobstructed?
- Emergency equipment functional and accessible?
- Spill kits available and stocked?
- Electrical cords and outlets in safe condition?
Documentation & Regulatory Compliance
Complete assessment documentation and ensure regulatory compliance
- All findings documented with evidence?
- Corrective actions assigned with timeline?
- Staff education provided on identified issues?
- Assessor Signature
- Additional Observations
Related Healthcare Checklists
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- Restraint Monitoring
- Blood Transfusion Safety Check
- Suicide Risk Assessment
- Elopement Prevention
- Clinical Alarm Management
- Specimen Collection Safety
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Why Use This Safe Discharge Checklist?
This safe discharge checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for nurse / case manager professionals, this checklist covers 33 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: per discharge.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Safe Discharge Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 33 inspection items across 8 sections: Patient Education, Safety, Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification, Medication Safety & Management, Environment of Care & Safety, Documentation & Regulatory Compliance. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per discharge. Each completion takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
Who should use this Safe Discharge 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.