Discharge Planning Protocol

Discharge planning is the process by which patients in health care settings are connected to resources for follow-up care. The process of discharge planning involves many different tasks; therefore, adhering to specific protocols can be helpful

Function

• Having a specific protocol in place can help organize the varied tasks involved in discharge planning. Such tasks may include assessing the patient, coordinating with other team members and family members, counseling the patient and family and linking them with follow-up care.

Types

• Specific discharge planning protocols will depend on the setting. Follow-up care services, for instance, will depend on whether the patient is being discharged from a medical facility or a psychiatric ward. The length of stay and time in which the discharge plan must be made will also vary and should be considered in creating a protocol for a particular setting.

Benefits

• In a 1994 article in the "Annals of Internal Medicine," Dr. Mary Naylor and colleagues stated that a good discharge planning protocol can help to decrease discharges of patients in unstable condition, make sure that patients are getting appropriate follow-up care and prevent readmission.