My Discharge and Follow-Up Plan
Work through this handoff with the care team before leaving. Keep their medication list and discharge instructions together with this plan. Mark an arrangement confirmed only when you have enough detail to use it.
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Turn the discharge instructions into a usable plan
Continuing care can include appointments, medicines, recovery support and help with other health or practical needs. NIAAA’s alcohol-treatment guidance recommends a discharge plan for ongoing support; SAMHSA also identifies support for other parts of life as a feature of quality care. The exact services should fit your assessment and preferences.
A referral versus an arrangement
| You have | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| A provider’s name | Are they accepting you, and can they deliver the service needed? |
| An appointment date | Time, location or video link, clinician, travel and contact if you cannot attend. |
| A medicine listed | Your team’s exact instructions, how to obtain it, next prescriber/visit and whom to call if access fails. |
| A support suggestion | Whether you want it, how to contact it, any cost/access barrier and a backup. |
Sources: [3]
Sources: [4]
My next care
- Next confirmed appointment
- Professional/service, date, time, address/link, contact number and who confirmed it.
- Medicine access
- Attach the current medication list. Record pharmacy/clinic, pickup or dose appointment, supply questions and prescribing contact.
- Symptoms and contact instructions
- Copy the care team’s instructions: what needs a routine call, prompt clinical advice, or emergency help. Include after-hours contacts.
My practical handoff
- First place to stay and how I will get there
- Transport, housing contact, access needs, food and phone/charging arrangements.
- Support I choose
- Person or service, what help I want, and what information I agree to share.
- Still unconfirmed
- Missing arrangement, person responsible, deadline and backup contact.
Keep completed notes private. Share only what you choose with the people helping you. These are original educational and planning prompts, not a validated assessment.