Hospital discharge for a bedridden patient needs planning, coordination, and reliable support systems. A proper discharge plan improves recovery outcomes and provides peace of mind to caregivers navigating this challenging phase. Families can achieve this transition from hospital to home by addressing important issues like medical clearance, transport, home setup, nursing care, and emergency planning.
In a city like Mumbai, space constraints and traffic congestion pose unique challenges. Thus, it becomes even more important to plan a hassle-free and safe hospital discharge to proper settling at home for the patient. With proper planning and management, medical complications and readmissions are reduced, ensuring patients’ comfort and dignity.
Hospital Discharge Steps
Hospital discharge is especially a critical phase for bedridden patients who require medical attention, mobility assistance, and home-based care post-discharge. This step-by-step hospital discharge guide will help caregivers and families offer hassle-free care during the transition from hospital to home for bedridden patients in Mumbai.
Step 1: Obtaining Medical clearance and discharge summary from the hospital
Step 2: Planning and procuring medical equipment and arranging a proper home setup
Step 3: Transporting the patient
Step 4: Home nursing and caregiving
Step 5: Medications and supplies
Step 6: Planning for an emergency and making a calendar for follow-up doctor visits
Let us now look at the details of every step.
Step 1: Obtaining Medical clearance and discharge summary from the hospital
Never take discharge from a hospital without doctors’ clearance/medical clearance. Only after the treating physician has approved the patient’s release in writing should the patient be moved out of the hospital to home.
A detailed discharge summary should be taken from the hospital during hospital discharge for the bedridden patient. This summary has the following documents:
- Diagnosis of patient’s condition and history of treatment
- Prevailing medical condition
- Schedule of medication
- Instructions for surgical wound care, catheter, etc.
- Physiotherapy or nursing requirements
- Follow-up appointment schedule
Warning signs: Get detailed information on the warning signs that point towards the need for immediate medical attention.
Step 2: Planning and procuring medical equipment and arranging a proper home setup
Most bedridden patients need specialised medical equipment at home. On the advice of the doctor, arrange for needed medical equipment either on a rental basis or for purchase.
Make the home patient-friendly. Clear pathways for easy movement, ensuring ventilation/sunlight. Mumbai homes are generally compact, so planning within the limited space can be a challenge.
Step 3: Transporting the patient
Depending on the medical condition/age of the patient, choose the right kind of transportation. Some patients might need an equipped ambulance, especially when the distance between the hospital and home is very long. A well-equipped ambulance has the following:
- Medical attendants
- Stretcher and ramp
- Oxygen and emergency support
- Vitals monitoring equipment
Step 4: Home nursing and caregiving
Bedridden patients need professional medical care at home after hospital discharge. Arrange a trained caregiver or home nurse from a reputable agency. This serves the following purposes:
- Medicine management
- Preventing infections
- Maintaining patient and general hygiene
- Regular monitoring of health parameters like temperature, wound condition, blood pressure, oxygen levels, pain, swelling, breathing, etc.
- Coordinating with Doctors, Physiotherapists, Pathology laboratories
- Feeding and nutrition
- Educating the family on patient care
- Emotional support
- Preventing falls
Ensure that you book these professional home care services well in advance.
Step 5: Medications and supplies
Understand the medicines and their schedule of administration before hospital discharge of the bedridden patient. Ensure that you stock all the medications and supplies as suggested by the hospital doctors. Make a chart with details of medication and wound care to ensure that no dose is missed and no wound care is skipped.
Step 6: Planning for an emergency and making a calendar for follow-up doctor visits
Keep emergency numbers like the nearby hospital, ambulance, etc., ready and displayed clearly at a prominent place at home.
Make a Doctor Visit calendar to prevent any missed appointments. This helps in the faster recovery of the patient.
Closing Thoughts
Proper hospital discharge planning for bedridden patients ensures safe transitions from hospital to home nursing care in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Families achieve faster patient recovery by addressing medical clearance, home setup, transport, and emergency protocols with professional home care services.