Hospital discharge services
When you’re ready to leave the hospital, we help you, your family and your care team to make sure you have a smooth discharge process.
We have two patient discharge hubs:
Discharge Resource Center (DRC) Patient Lounge
- First floor of North Hospital
- Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- A comfortable place for discharged patients who need stretcher or medical transport support
- Six stretcher bays and four recliner bays
- Offers snacks, meals and drinks
- Offers TV, tablets and charging stations
- Offers access to wait for your discharge medication, medical equipment and other services to ensure a smooth transition
Gateway Departure Suite (GDS)
- Ground floor of Gateway Building
- Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- A comfortable place to wait for your ride home or to another health care facility
- Offers snacks and meals
- Our staff can bring your discharge medication and medical equipment
Your health care team can help you choose when to leave the hospital and the best discharge hub for you. Your team also makes sure you have everything you need for your recovery, like supplies and follow-up appointments.
When you are ready to leave, make sure a friend, family member or caregiver is there to help you. It is also a good idea for them to bring you a change of clothes and take home any personal items or gifts ahead of time. To ensure a smooth transition, our goal will be to get you discharged before 12 p.m. on the day you are scheduled to depart our facility.
Discharge summary information
When you leave the hospital, your discharge summary may have:
- A list of medications
- A list of medical equipment
- Follow-up care you will need
- Days and times of your follow-up appointments
- Food, drink, exercise, and activities to avoid, such as lifting heavy objects or climbing stairs
- Who to contact if you have questions or problems
Before you leave, make sure your care team has answered all your questions and concerns. You may want to have a family member or caregiver with you to review your discharge instructions.
You can fill any prescriptions from your provider at your local pharmacy.
Virtual care follow-up appointments
You may have virtual care options for your follow-up appointments. Virtual care lets you to speak with your provider from the comfort of your home using a smartphone, tablet or computer.
For a successful virtual visit, you will need:
- A smartphone, tablet or computer with a front-facing camera
- A strong internet or Wi-Fi connection
- A quiet, private space
Post-hospital care
If you require additional care after your discharge, such as home health, durable medical equipment, or admission to an inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facility, your care team will work with you to ensure your needs are met and a smooth transition plan is in place. Please ask questions of your care coordination and/or medical team if you need additional guidance.
Billing and insurance
We participate in most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Learn more about billing and our accepted insurance.