Reducing Time in Hospital
We appreciate that a hospital stay can be a stressful and worrying time, but we will offer support and advice to you and your family/carers throughout your hospital stay.
It’s ok to ask when you’re going home
The ward team encourage all patients to ask questions about their care and discharge plans. From day one of admission you are encouraged to ask:
- What do you think is wrong with me?
- What is going to happen to me today?
- What is needed to get me home?
- When can I go home?
How you can support your recovery and prepare for discharge
Staying in hospital for longer than necessary can lead to deconditioning, the decline in body function due to not being physically active. Symptoms of deconditioning include:
- Loss of independence and muscle strength
- Depression
- Poor digestion leading to constipation
- Confusion
- Loss of self confidence
You are also at risk of developing a Healthcare associated infection should you stay in hospital for longer than necessary. Therefore, the ward team will encourage you to Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Moving to prevent the risk of deconditioning. You will be encouraged to get dressed in day clothes when in hospital. Please ask family/carers to bring in a small supply for you to wear or speak to the ward team if you are unable to do this.
How we plan for your discharge
Hospital is the right place to be when you have specific treatment and care needs. If you no longer require hospital care, it is better for your mental and physical health to continue to recover at home or at a care location best suited to your needs.
The ward team will start planning your discharge on your day of admission and will discuss something called D2RA (Discharge to Recover and Assess).
Discharge to Recover and then Assess aims to help you leave hospital:
- As soon as possible, when you no longer need treatment in a hospital bed
- With the appropriate advice and help from services which will be in place if needed, before you leave hospital
- Assessing what care and support you may need in the future at home. Your “home” could be in a care home, your own home or that of a relative or friend
If you require support on discharge then the ward team will work closely with you and involve the Hospital Integrated Discharge Service and social workers if required. We will keep you involved and informed throughout this process. If you are unable to return home but have recovered from your illness then you will be transferred to one of our non-acute beds, this may be in one of our community hospitals. This transfer will be part of your pathway of care and will be required to ensure that we have beds available for people who require acute hospital care. You and your family will be informed prior to transfer however, we will not be seeking consent or permission for this continuation of the hospital journey.
How you can plan for your discharge
When we know what date your hospital treatment is likely to be complete, we will tell you your expected discharge or transfer date and we will make a note of this on the front of this leaflet. We will include family in this conversation if requested to help with your discharge home. It is important that you are aware of your discharge date so that necessary arrangements can be made in advance.
These arrangements may include:
- Transport home – patients are expected to arrange their own transport (before 10am)
- Suitable clothing and footwear (if you are not already using them in hospital)
- Access to a key to your property or someone to let you in
Please let us know as soon as possible about any issue at home that may need to be resolved to prevent any delay to your discharge.
If you have any questions about this information, please ask any of the ward staff looking after you who will be happy to help.