Patient Discharge Planning Checklist
Complete this discharge checklist to ensure safe patient transition from hospital to home or next level of care. Poor discharge planning contributes to 20% of hospital readmissions.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Before every discharge
- Estimated Time: 25-35 minutes
- Role: Discharge Planner / Case Manager / Nurse
- Total Items: 36
- Compliance: CMS CoP, TJC Standards, UK NICE NG27, Project RED, BOOST
Discharge Criteria Met
Verify patient meets medical discharge criteria.
- Physician discharge order written?
- Patient clinically stable for discharge?
- Vital signs stable and within acceptable range?
- Pain adequately controlled?
- Patient able to ambulate safely (or has assistance)?
- Diet tolerated (if applicable)?
Medication Reconciliation & Prescriptions
Complete medication review for discharge.
- Medication reconciliation completed?
- New prescriptions written/sent electronically?
- Patient able to afford/access medications?
- High-risk medications (anticoagulants, insulin) reviewed?
- Medication teaching completed with patient/caregiver?
- Written medication list provided?
Follow-Up Appointments
Schedule and communicate follow-up care.
- PCP follow-up appointment scheduled?
- Specialist follow-up scheduled (if needed)?
- Appointment date/time/location provided in writing?
- Follow-up lab/imaging appointments scheduled?
- Pending test results communicated to outpatient provider?
Patient/Caregiver Education
Ensure patient understands self-care instructions.
- Diagnosis and hospital course explained?
- Warning signs to watch for reviewed?
- When to call doctor vs. go to ER explained?
- Activity restrictions explained?
- Diet instructions provided?
- Wound care instructions provided (if applicable)?
- Teach-back method used to confirm understanding?
Equipment & Home Services
Arrange necessary equipment and services.
- Durable medical equipment ordered (walker, O2, etc.)?
- DME delivered or arrangements confirmed?
- Home health services ordered (if needed)?
- Outpatient PT/OT arranged (if needed)?
- Transportation arranged for discharge?
- Caregiver available and prepared to assist?
Documentation & Communication
Complete discharge documentation and handoffs.
- Discharge summary completed?
- Discharge summary sent to PCP?
- Patient signed discharge instructions?
- Copy of discharge paperwork given to patient?
- If SNF: Transfer documents sent?
- Contact number for questions provided?
Related Healthcare Checklists
- Patient Transport Checklist
- Patient Identification Audit
- Pressure Injury Prevention
- Patient Safety Event Investigation
- Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist
- Clinical Laboratory Safety Inspection Checklist
- Surgical Instrument Sterility
- Pharmacy Compounding USP 797