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

Related Patient Safety Checklists

Why Use This Patient Discharge Planning Checklist?

This patient discharge planning checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for discharge planner / case manager / nurse professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: before every discharge.

Ensures compliance with CMS CoP, TJC Standards, UK NICE NG27, Project RED, BOOST. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Patient Discharge Planning Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 6 sections: Discharge Criteria Met, Medication Reconciliation & Prescriptions, Follow-Up Appointments, Patient/Caregiver Education, Equipment & Home Services, Documentation & Communication. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed before every discharge. Each completion takes approximately 25-35 minutes.

Who should use this Patient Discharge Planning Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Discharge Planner / Case Manager / Nurse 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.