Registration, Admission, Discharge, and Transfer: Part 3-Discharge
Bharati Hospital and Research Centre (BHRC) is now using Cellma
May 16, 2022
Registration, Admission, Discharge, and Transfer: Part 4- Transfer
May 26, 2022
The process of discharging a patient can be explained as “the termination of care from a healthcare setting. The planning for discharge begins on admission, when information about the patient is collected and documented. During the admission, the focus is on deciphering the ailment afflicting the patient, with the intended end result of bringing them back to self-sustainable health. The discharge also allows for the bed or ward to be used for other patients. The key to the success of the discharge process is the exchange of information between the patient, primary care provider (PCP), specialists, caregivers, and those responsible for the patient’s care after the patient is discharged. Whilst the patient has the right to discharge themselves, some conditions may apply. Factors considered here are a patient’s age, competency, if they are making an informed decision or if they constitute possible harm to others, etc. They can also self-discharge against medical advice (AMA). Discharge policies may vary from country to country, establishment to establishment, and from one situation to another. For administrative and legal reasons, other conditions may also be applied.
6 Steps Patient Admission through Discharge.
- Discharge planning: Once recovery goes as planned, a full review is undertaken. After assessing, identifying healthcare needs and following advice on the patient’s treatment plan, the discharge process is categorised as either a minimal or complex discharge.
- Setting goals with the patient: During discharge the patient is given detailed explanation of do’s and don’ts and record the medical advice they have received and what care measures they will need after they leave. With the use of digital medical technology, the patient’s admission, discharge and other medical records can now be effectively viewed in one place, referred to as an “electronic patient record” (EPR).
- Documentation: Notes or records detailing diagnosis, prognosis, recommended care plan, on referral, prescriptions, social care needs, and any other relevant notes should be made available to the patient during the discharge. This documentation summary can now be generated via modern medical technological means and sent to the patient and their primary care provider in a digital format with just a click.
- Official medical orders: Detailed official documentation from administration, authorised departments, doctors, and specialists needs to be in place before actual discharge happens.
- Arrange follow–up appointments: This will also include relevant documentation and medical certificates that may be necessary RE: patient’s insurance, job, transfer to another healthcare provider or facility, Home Care advisory, on referrals with specialists etc.
- Availability of beds: A part of ward and bed management module is to request for the vacated room to be readied for another patient awaiting admission which can be monitored easily online rather than checking physically in each room. As the final part of a coordinated discharge, this now flows into the admissions procedure.
The discharge process may seem cumbersome in some areas, but experience has shown the necessity of following these steps in order to provide the best healthcare for patients and to protect providers and institutions against mal-practice claims.
Follow the next step of the RADT system for clinics and hospitals in our next blog.
Should you need any information as to how RioMed Ltd. can be of help in this area, please feel free to contact us or visit our website.
An examination of the discharge procedure as part of the third stage of the RADT system in the healthcare sector.
