You’ve been discharged from the hospital — now what?
These expert tips can make the transition home a little smoother.
When you’re in the hospital, getting through your treatment is the focus. But heading home doesn’t mean you’re fully recovered. This usually takes time. And skipping certain steps could lead to another hospital stay.
Readmission rates can vary. For some conditions, about 1 in 4 patients return for another hospital stay within 30 days. This includes heart or renal failure. For other conditions, like sickle cell anemia or gangrene, that stat is about 1 in 3.
Being in the hospital can be stressful. It can also cost a lot of money, which adds to the stress. The good news is that there are steps you can take to stay out of the hospital after you’re released. Use these expert tips to help take control of your health and heal better at home.
Understand your diagnosis and care instructions.
Being in the hospital can be overwhelming. And this can make it harder to process information, says Lynn McNicoll, MD. She’s an associate professor of medicine and the director of education for the Division of Geriatrics at Brown University. You might go home not understanding what your illness means. Or you might not be sure when to follow up with your doctor.
Invite a trusted friend or family member to come to the hospital. They can take notes when your provider goes over your follow-up plan and care instructions.
It’s also a good idea to ask for patient education materials. They can help explain your:
- Diagnosis
- Procedure
- Recovery process
Having these materials at home can help you with your recovery. This will lower your chances of making a mistake and returning to the hospital.
Finally, be sure to take advantage of Wellframe, your digital health management app. It can connect you with your care team, who can help answer your questions. You can also search the Wellframe resource library for expert-reviewed articles and videos. The app comes with your health plan at no additional cost.
Get health support 24/7
You can use your Wellframe app to chat with licensed nurses and health care workers, track your health goals, search our resource library, and more. Download it today to get started with access code cncstartwsqb.
Visit your primary care provider.
Make a follow-up appointment with your primary care provider (PCP). This visit usually happens about 1 week after you leave the hospital. Use this time to update your PCP on your condition. That helps create “continuity of care.” It means having a health team in place, so you don’t have to go it alone after the hospital stay.
Your PCP will likely look over paperwork from your hospital stay. They will go over your progress, says Dr. McNicoll. They will also help answer any questions. This visit is a great way to catch any issues early, before they become bigger problems.
Wash your hands.
There are many reasons you may return to the hospital. One of them is infection. You can help stop infections by keeping germs away. Wash your hands often. Ask others to do the same.
Experts advise washing for at least 20 seconds. Scrub the backs of your hands. And wash in between your fingers. Remember to wash your hands throughout the day. This includes:
- After using the bathroom
- Before eating
- Before and after touching an IV or catheter
- Before and after touching a wound
And stay away from anyone who feels sick. This will also help keep you healthy.
Trust your gut.
Ask your doctor for any signs that something is wrong. These usually include symptoms like:
- Fever
- Pain
- Redness or warmth at an incision site
But these aren’t the only symptoms you need to watch out for. If you feel worse than expected, call your doctor. Also call them if something isn’t healing correctly.
Track medication changes.
A hospital stay can mean big changes to your medication routine. These might include:
- New medication
- Changing your usual dose
- Stopping a medication
Changes to your medications can feel confusing. That’s where a lot of mistakes happen. And this often leads to readmission, says Dr. McNicoll.
Follow up with your PCP to understand exactly what you’re taking. They can help make sure you’re not doubling up by accident. Your PCP can also make sure you’re not mixing medicines that shouldn’t be mixed.
Stay active.
No one wants you to run a marathon after a hospital stay. But small movements can help your body heal faster. “We don’t want people to lie in bed all day. They’ll get weaker,” says Dr. McNicoll. Your doctor should tell you how much movement is OK. But also listen to your body. Rest if you need to. Does it feel good to stretch? Then do that. But always make sure your doctor says moving is OK first.
Eat well.
You may not feel hungry when you’re in the hospital. But your body needs the right foods to get healthy. Ask your doctor about what you can eat. They might suggest eating more small meals during the day. They might want you to focus on fiber or drink more water. Or they may put you on a special diet. This all depends on your procedure.
Cooking might be hard when you first get home. Ask your loved ones if they can help. And try to prep ahead of time. Having simple meals ready to go makes it easier to eat. And this will help save your energy.
You’ll likely feel relieved after getting home from the hospital. But your recovery isn’t over yet. Put your health first for the next few weeks. That can help you recover faster and stay out of the hospital.
Sources
- “30-Day Readmission Rates to U.S. Hospitals.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. August 2018. https://www.ahrq.gov/data/infographics/readmission-rates.html
- Reddy YNV and Borlaug BA. “Readmissions in Heart Failure: It’s More Than Just the Medicine.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 19, 2019; vol. 94, no. 10: pp. 1919-1921. https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(19)30747-5/fulltext
- White B, Carney PA, Flynn J, et al. “Reducing Hospital Readmissions through Primary Care Practice Transformation.” The Journal of Family Practice, vol. 62, no. 2, 2014, pp: 67-74. https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/JFP_06302_Article1.pdf
- “About Handwashing.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html
