What To Do Before You Are Discharged From A Hospital

Before your leave the hospital, ask for a written copy of your discharge summary. The summary is prepared by your doctor or discharge planner and should include:

• A summary of your care and treatment while in the hospital. 
• Your diagnosis.
• The plan you are supposed to follow at home.
• Any future doctor's appointments or scheduled treatments.
• A list of all medications you should be taking and for how long.
• What to look for which indicates that you should call the doctor or go to an emergency room.

Ask your doctor to include a list of do's and don'ts. This may include such things as:

• How much weight you can safely lift, and starting when.
• What household chores you can and cannot do.
• When you can begin to drive a car.
• When you can return to work or resume your normal everyday activities.
• When you can start to exercise.

NOTE: Be sure a copy of the Discharge Summary is given to your primary care doctor and to every doctor who is currently treating you. For safety, make you own copies and give a copy ot each doctor at your next visit.

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